Yu Jeongsang Meets No Tae-moon: "Does Samsung XR Headset Have a Communication Chip?" [MWC On-site]

Yoo Youngsang, CEO of SK Telecom, Visits Samsung Booth at MWC25
Demonstrates AI Features Including 'Now Brief'

On the 3rd (local time) at MWC2025 held in Barcelona, Spain, Yoo Young-sang, CEO of SKT, and Roh Tae-moon, President of Samsung Electronics, are examining the 'Android XR Project Muhan' headset. Photo by Park Yoo-jin

SK Telecom CEO Yoo Young-sang met with Samsung Electronics MX Division President Roh Tae-moon on the 3rd (local time) at the 'Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025' venue and asked, "Does the XR headset 'Muhan' have a communication chip?" While examining Samsung's 'Android XR Project Muhan' headset, CEO Yoo clearly expressed his interest as a telecommunications operator, saying, "You need that to go outside."

During the Samsung Electronics booth tour held at the Fira Granvia exhibition center in Barcelona, Spain, where MWC25 took place, CEO Yoo showed great interest in the headset's communication capabilities while exploring the XR headset technology along with AI functions that perform voice commands without opening an application (app). In response, President Roh explained, "Currently, it is only possible through Wi-Fi tethering," adding, "You have to carry a mobile device together while using it." In a follow-up question, CEO Yoo showed interest in the evolution direction of XR technology, and President Roh confirmed that the ultimate plan is to "evolve towards glasses."

CEO Yoo's special interest in the communication chip of Samsung's XR headset can be seen as exploring the possibility of business expansion for XR devices as a future mobile carrier. If Samsung Electronics equips XR devices with communication chips, it is expected to provide a more convenient user experience by utilizing the mobile carrier's network. Currently, reliance on tethering with smartphones limits portability and convenience, but when communication chips are equipped in the future, collaboration with mobile carriers like SKT could become even more important.

During the Samsung Electronics booth tour, which lasted just over 20 minutes, CEO Yoo was demonstrated various technologies including AI functions that perform voice commands without opening apps and XR headset technology.

When CEO Yoo asked whether Samsung's Galaxy AI functions are on-device or cloud-based, President Roh explained that a mixed approach is used depending on the scenario. President Roh said, "When high performance is needed, processing is done in the cloud, and functions supported by on-device performance are gradually being shifted to on-device. As on-device hardware performance improves, the coverage of on-device functions will expand."

He also demonstrated the 'Now Brief' feature, showing how it provides information such as the user's condition, schedule, weather, and ticketing details. When CEO Yoo asked if all these functions were implemented through partnerships, President Roh replied, "Currently, Samsung native apps and Google GMS services are implemented first, and they will gradually expand to third-party apps."

The conversation then moved to Samsung's 'Android XR Project Muhan' headset. CEO Yoo began by asking about comfort during long-term wear and whether the headset can technically be used while walking through its cameras. President Roh responded that it is possible but not recommended for safety reasons. The booth tour concluded with a demonstration of health monitoring functions through Samsung's wearable devices.