Samsung Galaxy XR vs. Apple Vision Pro

[MacRumors]

Samsung recently came out with the Galaxy XR, its first mixed reality headset. The Galaxy XR competes with the Apple Vision Pro, so we thought we'd pick one up to see how it compares to Apple's headset.

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In person, it's hard to mistake how much it looks like the Apple Vision Pro, but there are minimal design options for an XR headset that straps to your face.

The Galaxy XR is a whole lot cheaper than the Vision Pro at $1,799. It's not as premium as the Vision Pro because it's using more affordable materials like plastic, but that also means it's a lot lighter. The lighter weight makes it more comfortable to wear, and it also feels more balanced on the head. Having anything attached to your face can be unpleasant, but the Galaxy XR is an improvement over the Vision Pro. There's a single strap, but it cradles the back of the head and has a dial at the back to tighten it.

Unlike the Vision Pro, the seal on the Galaxy XR doesn't block out all light, so you're not entirely cut off from your surroundings. The headset has two micro-OLED displays that look good, but text isn't as sharp as it is on the Vision Pro.

Samsung partnered with Google for the Android XR operating system, and the Galaxy XR features deep Google Gemini integration. Gemini can use the cameras in the headset to see what the wearer is looking at, answering questions about what's in view. Circle to Search is available for real-life items, which can be useful.

There aren't many apps available for the Galaxy XR because it's new, and so is the Android XR operating system. YouTube, Google Maps, Photos, Netflix, and more come pre-installed, and Android apps can be downloaded from the Play Store, but they're not optimized for AI. The Vision Pro offers more apps, but it's been out for a longer period of time.

Hand and eye tracking is not as intuitive as it is on the Vision Pro, so that's something Apple does better. Samsung sells optional controllers, which do help with control issues.

The Vision Pro connects to a Mac to serve as a virtual display, and the Galaxy XR can connect to a PC in the same way. It's not as smooth of an experience as connecting to a Mac, and multiple apps are required to get it up and running.

Make sure to watch our video to see all of the Galaxy XR features, and let us know if it's something you'd buy.

The Galaxy XR is available for $1,799.99 and Samsung has a 24-month financing option. Early adopters receive the Explorer Pack at no additional cost, which Samsung says has a value of at least $1,140. It includes 12 months of access to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, Google Play Pass, Adobe Project Pulsar, and Calm Premium, plus an NBA League Pass subscription and more. Samsung is also selling a Galaxy XR Travel Case and Galaxy XR Controller for $250 each.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Samsung Galaxy XR vs. Apple Vision Pro

 

[segfaultdotorg]

How does it compare to the Meta goggles? We need a three way comparison.

 

[emmab2006]

How does it compare to the Meta goggles? We need a three way comparison.

huhuuhuuuu he said Three way... huhuhuhha

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It also should be said that there’s little need for any developer to customize their Android apps for Android XR as the Android app will run. No need to improve the quality of their Meta Quest apps either as they’ll run pretty much unmodified while also being available to new consumers.

I get where, in the short term “having software” is resolved by making it more compatible with old stuff, but many a “backwards compatible” device has spent most of their effective life simply being backwards compatible. “It’s like Meta Quest, but it loads Gorilla Tag faster!” (maybe… I don’t even know if it does that better)

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I wonder if the knob on the back of the Samsung makes it difficult to relax on a sofa or in a high-backed chair.

 

[Simmias]

“text isn't as sharp as it is on the Vision Pro.”

“Hand and eye tracking is not as intuitive as it is on the Vision Pro”

Article Link: Samsung Galaxy XR vs. Apple Vision Pro

The two sentences above are all you need to know. Samsung rushed out a cheaper & lighter copycat device BUT you sacrifice, um, the ability to read text and, um, the ability to actually control your device.

The above are the reason that the VisionPro costs $3500. Apple created a device that was as light and cheap as they could make it, while meeting the minimum requirements for a general purpose computer that could display readable text and crisp video, and a user interface capable of being fully responsive to hand and eye movements.

That’s it. It’s not hard to make a cheaper device, but then you’ve sacrificed the user experience of true spatial computing. Apple thinks “what is a great user experience?” and then designs the cheapest product that can deliver it. Samsung thinks “what price point do we need to hit?” and then happily cuts corners on the user experience to achieve it. Resulting in a mediocre experience not worth having regardless of price.

 

[Graphate]

[…]

The above are the reason that the VisionPro costs $3500. Apple created a device that was as light and cheap as they could make it, while meeting the minimum requirements for a general purpose computer that could display readable text and crisp video, and a user interface capable of being fully responsive to hand and eye movements.

[…]

Maybe. But I’d like to see the weight difference between the “shell” without the electronics. Because I think Apple may have packed the device with expensive tech, which then drove the price, and then Apple decided the shell needed to feel more premium. That might be included in your statement “minimum requirements for a general purpose computer” but I think it could have been lighter or more comfortable with different shape or materials.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Hopefully Apple can get to that price.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I wonder if the knob on the back of the Samsung makes it difficult to relax on a sofa or in a high-backed chair.

This has been mentioned in other videos and, yes, it does.

 

[JanoschR]

As a AVP owner, this thing looks cheap as sh*t (well, its Samesung after all..)

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

In a VS showdown Apple wins everytime just based off privacy /security features alone.

 

[iamgalt]

The "hood" at the top, that goes up against the persons forehead looks WAY bigger than the AVP, and looks like solid plastic, rather than a cushion material. That can't do a good job of blocking out light, or even be comfortable after a while. Maybe it's just the angles I'm seeing it from. I've never tried either, so I don't really have a frame of reference. But if Apple could get theirs down to that price point, I know they'd sell a lot more AVP's.

 

[lotones]

The two sentences above are all you need to know. Samsung rushed out a cheaper & lighter copycat device BUT you sacrifice, um, the ability to read text and, um, the ability to actually control your device.

The above are the reason that the VisionPro costs $3500. Apple created a device that was as light and cheap as they could make it, while meeting the minimum requirements for a general purpose computer that could display readable text and crisp video, and a user interface capable of being fully responsive to hand and eye movements.

That’s it. It’s not hard to make a cheaper device, but then you’ve sacrificed the user experience of true spatial computing. Apple thinks “what is a great user experience?” and then designs the cheapest product that can deliver it. Samsung thinks “what price point do we need to hit?” and then happily cuts corners on the user experience to achieve it. Resulting in a mediocre experience not worth having regardless of price.

Yes, and just imagine the 💩 that Apple would have gotten if it had put out something of this quality. Have yet to hear the same from well known Apple (hypo-)critics... :cough: Linus :cough:...

 

[Hajj.david]

How does it compare to the Meta goggles? We need a three way comparison.

Meta headsets are really gaming devices, they aren't comparable to either samsungs or apples headsets. I dont even think they have eye tracking.

I wonder if the knob on the back of the Samsung makes it difficult to relax on a sofa or in a high-backed chair.

Or in bed which is a huge driver of my AVP use.

 

[JulianL]

… Apple created a device that was as light and cheap as they could make it, while meeting the minimum requirements for a general purpose computer that could display readable text and crisp video, and a user interface capable of being fully responsive to hand and eye movements.

… Apple thinks “what is a great user experience?” and then designs the cheapest product that can deliver it. …

I mostly agree with one exception. Disclaimer - I don’t (yet) own an AVP so maybe I’m unaware of what it adds to the user experience - but the one area where in my opinion Apple went a bit off track was that front-facing display to show a simulation of the wearer’s eyes.

I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have made a massive difference but (with reference to my disclaimer again) it seems to me to be a feature with such marginal (if any) utility that I can’t help thinking that the AVP would been a slightly better product if Apple hadn’t included that and as a result maybe shaved even just $100 off the price and 50 grams off the weight.

 

[Simmias]

I mostly agree with one exception. Disclaimer - I don’t (yet) own an AVP so maybe I’m unaware of what it adds to the user experience - but the one area where in my opinion Apple went a bit off track was that front-facing display to show a simulation of the wearer’s eyes.

I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have made a massive difference but (with reference to my disclaimer again) it seems to me to be a feature with such marginal (if any) utility that I can’t help thinking that the AVP would been a slightly better product if Apple hadn’t included that and as a result maybe shaved even just $100 off the price and 50 grams off the weight.

“You can see others, and they can see you” is a core design principle of Apple Vision Pro.

Is the 1st gen execution of that principle crude? Absolutely. It will get better.

Do online commenters ignore this principle and constantly refer to AVP as a “VR headset” and talk about how it’s designed to “isolate” you? Certainly.

But Apple’s refusal to compromise on those core design principles is why their task is now to refine the execution of the original vision and make it thinner/ lighter/ faster/ sharper/ cheaper, while others are executing concepts that are flawed from the top down.

 

[questnotquist]

It's not as premium as the Vision Pro because it's using more affordable materials like plastic, but that also means it's a lot lighter.

While plastic can trim a few grams, it’s not the main reason the Galaxy XR is lighter. The weight difference likely comes from having fewer sensors, simpler optics, and a less complex internal structure overall.

There’s simply less “stuff” inside compared to the Vision Pro.

It’s saving weight, which is important, but also contributing to the drawbacks this review highlights.