After showing off the design of the Android XR at the Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung finally let someone actually try it out—and that someone was none other than Marques Brownlee (aka MKBHD). His hands-on video gives us our first proper look at the headset’s features, and honestly, it’s pretty exciting.
It runs all apps on Play Store, and can arrange them like Vision Pro
Let’s take a look at what this thing can do. First things first, it runs on Android XR OS, with Google Gemini baked right in. It supports apps on the Google Play store.
The the spatial computing experience is where the headset really shines. You can arrange app windows side by side, resize them, drag them around your virtual desktop, or just ask Gemini to do that for you.
While smartphone users also get to interact with Gemini, the live video viewing feature and the conversations feel much more natural with this form factor, as it can already see what you’re seeing instead of you separately having to hold your phone at the subject.
Build and functions:
The headset equips several cameras—eight on the front, paired with two inside for eye-tracking. It offers all the usual controls like a power button, volume rocker, and a touchpad on the side. The outer surface is a mix of metal, glass, plastic, and fabric. You can even pop on a face plate to block out light if you want, or leave that in the box if you prefer a sense of connection with the real world. Oh, there’s also a dial on the back to adjust the fit.
Just like the Vision Pro, power comes from an external battery pack, connected via USB-C. As Marques noted, the advantage of the connector being SUB-C is that you can also connect the device to a different power source with a higher capacity. It not only lets you quickly switch to a different battery, but also allows you to get a higher battery life in every session.
When you put it on, the headset automatically detects your eyes and adjusts the lenses for the sharpest view. Controlling it is all about hand gestures—like pinching your thumb and index finger to open the app launcher, which has all your favorite Google apps ready to go. You can also use Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and there’s talk of Samsung releasing its own controllers, which could be cool for gaming.
What about the pricing and launch?
Now, the big question: when can you get one, and how much will it cost? Samsung is aiming to launch it within 2025. According to Sammobile, it could launch alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 in mid-2025. As for the price, rumors say it could be around $2,000, which would make it a bit more affordable than Apple’s Vision Pro.
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