This year, Samsung will launch a mixed-reality headset called Samsung XR to take on Apple Vision Pro. TM Roh, president of Samsung’s mobile division, announced this during the closing keynote of the Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris, France on July 10. Also shown at the event were the Galaxy Z series foldable devices, Galaxy Buds 3, Galaxy Watch 7, Watch Ultra, and Galaxy Ring. This new XR is being developed with Google and Qualcomm to deliver next-generation experiences across all Galaxy devices.
During the event, Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of Platforms and Devices, joined Samsung executives on stage to talk about the collaboration. Osterloh spoke about work on the XR platform, which spans smartphones, wearables, and other future devices.
TM Roh’s comments on the XR platform suggest that the new technology is almost ready for launch. It is worth noting that he has not yet given a specific date. The confirmation of the partnership with Google and Qualcomm earlier this year reinforced Samsung’s commitment to mixed reality.
Samsung XR: Next-Gen mixed-reality headset targeting late 2024 release
It’s been a long journey for Samsung to get to the XR headset. Originally, this technology was supposed to launch in early 2024 but was delayed. After Apple announced the Vision Pro, Samsung reconsidered its strategy. Reports said Samsung wanted to increase the resolution of its headset to match the 4K per eye of Apple’s Vision Pro. The focus on higher-resolution displays means Samsung wants to have a competitive alternative to the Vision Pro. The Galaxy Unpacked event is not the first time Samsung has mentioned the XR.
Despite the delays, Samsung still insists on the XR headset. The company has a production target of 30,000 units this year, which means they are serious about getting the product to market. This production target fits into Samsung’s overall plan to get a foothold in the mixed reality market and take on Apple’s Vision Pro.
Galaxy Unpacked event
The Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris was a big deal for Samsung with several new products launched alongside the XR headset. The event showcased Samsung’s innovation in foldable devices with the Galaxy Z series. Foldable devices are a growth area for Samsung, combining the latest tech with unique form factors that appeal to a wide range of consumers.
The launch of Galaxy Buds 3 series wireless earphones also showed Samsung’s commitment to audio experiences for its users. These new earphones have better sound quality, longer battery life, and more connectivity features making them a strong contender in the wireless audio space. The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra added more to Samsung’s wearable portfolio, giving users more options for fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smart features. The Galaxy Ring will be Samsung’s new addition to its wearable technology. This smart ring provides health and activity tracking in a compact and discreet form.
Partnerships and tech
The Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm partnership is key to the XR headset development. Google brings its software and platform expertise while Qualcomm brings its chipset tech which is crucial for high-performance mixed-reality devices.
Google’s part in the XR project is to integrate its Android platform with Samsung’s hardware. This means the XR headset will be compatible with a wide range of apps and services on the Android ecosystem. Google’s focus on AR and VR also aligns with Samsung’s XR platform.
Qualcomm’s role is to provide the Snapdragon XR2 platform, a chipset designed for XR applications. This powerful chipset supports high-resolution displays, advanced graphics, and efficient power management all of which are needed for a seamless mixed-reality experience. Qualcomm’s expertise in wireless tech also means robust connectivity for the XR headset so users can stay connected and not be interrupted while in immersive experiences.
Next
As Samsung launches its XR headset later this year, its partnership with Google and Qualcomm puts them in a good position to make a big impact in the mixed reality space. Samsung’s decisions such as increasing the display resolution and partnering with powerful companies show they are serious about a competitive product.
As the launch gets closer more details about the XR headset’s features and specs will be revealed to give us a better idea of what to expect from this device. And Apple’s failure to get what it wanted from Vision Pro creates a chance for the XR. If XR does not catch on, we can conclude that AR/VR technology is not yet suitable for the end user.
Featured image credit: Samsung / YouTube
