Samsung hints at launching its competitor to Apple's Vision Pro VR headset in 2025.
Samsung has been contemplating the launch of its own XR (extended reality) headset for approximately a year now. During a recent financial briefing, they stated their intent to "strengthen connectivity among products, including upcoming XR devices." This hints at the possibility of a competitor to the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 emerging from Samsung.
Just last month, as reported by Daily Korea, citing Upload, Samsung seems to be eager to release its XR headset due to LG's decision to scrap its plan for a premium Meta Horizon OS headset in 2025 and Apple's shift in focus from an expensive Vision Pro 2 to a more affordable version first.
As suggested by Tom’s Guide, Samsung may collaborate with Qualcomm for the chippowering its upcoming XR headset, while Google is expected to manage the platform it will run on. This aligns with Google's Rick Osterloh's statement at the end of the 2024 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, where he confirmed the impending arrival of a new XR platform.
Reports from SBS Biz indicate that Samsung restarted its XR headset design process from scratch after the Vision Pro was revealed. They found their initial concept falling short of impressing users and deemed it insufficient to captivate their attention.
However, recent updates suggest that Samsung is now developing a headset akin to the Meta Quest. A recent article from Android Authority suggested that Google will soon host apps tailored for XR headsets. Given the absence of major Android-based XR headsets in the market, this allusion is a clear indication of Samsung's plans. The Information reports that Google has been promoting the Android XR platform to other hardware manufacturers, but no significant interest has been shown yet.
There's still no clarity regarding the features or price of the headset. However, a report in Tom’s Guide from June 2023 suggested that Samsung is planning to launch a headset priced between $1,000 and $1,500, offering more features than Apple's three times more expensive headset. With Apple Vision Pro's sales recently witnessing a downturn, this ambitious claim might just become a reality. Samsung and Google have promised to share more details about their collaboration by the end of 2024, so it's time to stay tuned for further updates.
The integration of technology in Samsung's future plans is evident, as they aim to strengthen connectivity among their products, including upcoming XR devices. This isthersuggest that Samsung's forthcoming XR headset, slated for release due to competitor LG's decision and Apple's adjustments, could potentially revolutionize the tech market, offering a more affordable alternative to high-end options like the Apple Vision Pro.
