"Just Look, Speak, and Gesture"... Samsung Launches 'Galaxy XR' (Comprehensive)

Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm Form the 'Android XR' Alliance
Multimodal AI Powered by Google Gemini Delivers Everyday XR Experiences
Launched at 2.69 Million KRW, About Half the Price of Apple's Vision Pro 2

On October 22, at the 'Samsung Gangnam' Galaxy XR launch briefing in Seocho-gu, Seoul, an employee is seen experiencing the device. Behind the employee wearing the Galaxy XR, a mirrored screen is displayed. Photo by Samsung Electronics

On October 22, Samsung Electronics launched its headset-type XR (extended reality) device, the Galaxy XR, officially entering the smart glasses market. This is the first product to feature the jointly developed 'Android XR' platform by Samsung Electronics, Google, and Qualcomm. It offers a new AI experience that allows users to control the device through voice, gaze, and gestures, seamlessly moving between reality and virtual worlds. Positioned as a direct competitor to Apple's Vision Pro, the Galaxy XR is more than just a hardware rival; it serves as a stage for Samsung to demonstrate its future-oriented computing technology that combines AI and XR.

Samsung Electronics held a media briefing at 'Samsung Gangnam' in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on this day, where it demonstrated how to use the Galaxy XR. Lim Sungtaek, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics Korea, stated, "Galaxy XR marks the beginning of innovation in the AI era," adding, "It will provide a new experience that moves freely between reality and the virtual world in everyday life."

The Galaxy XR is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, enabling real-time recognition of head, hand, and eye movements. It weighs 545g and supports an external light-blocking pad and prescription insert lenses (priced at 140,000 KRW). With its 'Pass Through' function, which projects the real-world environment, users can freely switch between XR and reality. The launch price is 2.69 million KRW, about half the price of Apple's Vision Pro 2, which is being released on the same day (local time) at 4.99 million KRW.

Gaze, Gesture, and Voice Control: Seamlessly Moving Between Reality and Virtual Worlds

The on-site demonstration at the briefing embodied the phrase, "Now, just look, speak, and gesture." After an employee put on the headset and launched Google Maps, the map space unfolded before their eyes. When the employee said, "Gemini, find me a good pizza place," search results appeared in the air, and the AI responded, "Cast Pizza in Manhattan, New York, was selected by New York Magazine as the best pizza in New York State." When the employee formed a pinching gesture with their fingers and pressed the 'Explore Inside' button, a 3D-reconstructed interior of the restaurant appeared, allowing the user to look around as if in a real space by turning their head. No remote control or mouse was needed.

A Samsung representative explained, "The core is multimodal AI, which allows users to control the device with their eyes, hands, and voice, while Gemini simultaneously understands information in the field of view in real time," adding, "This is a completely different user experience from previous generations of VR."

A demonstration video showing the use of Galaxy XR to find a New York pizza restaurant on Google Maps. Image provided by Samsung Electronics.

AI Engages in Conversation, Creates Videos, and Even Suggests Game Strategies

The demonstration continued from everyday content to creative and gaming scenarios. When an employee said, "Create a scene where various animals from the Joseon Dynasty are wearing virtual reality devices and glasses, all dancing and partying together," Gemini generated a video within seconds, depicting virtual animals dancing in a Joseon Dynasty setting. This function enables the AI to extract device information from photos and videos, automatically creating multi-layered, three-dimensional effects.

During the gaming demonstration, the popular farming game Stardew Valley was featured. When the user asked, "I'm new to this game, what should I do first?" Gemini responded, "Try clearing the rocks and weeds around you first." Upon requesting, "Tell me a long-term strategy," the AI searched the web for relevant information and provided advice. A Samsung representative emphasized, "AI not only responds, but also delivers an immersive, personalized experience at all times."

The entertainment experience was also distinct from traditional TVs and smartphones. YouTube content could be enjoyed in a 'virtual theater' right in front of the user's eyes, and the 'multi-view' mode allowed multiple sports games to be watched simultaneously during live broadcasts. Major global sports leagues such as MLB and NBA were also available.

Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm Collaborate to Build the XR Ecosystem

An employee demonstrating while wearing the Galaxy XR. When the hand forms a pinching shape, the click function can be used, and dragging is also possible. Image provided by Samsung Electronics

Samsung sees the Galaxy XR not just as a single product, but as the starting point for a next-generation computing platform that merges AI and XR, focusing more on ecosystem development than sales figures. Executive Vice President Lim stated, "The XR market is expected to grow more than twofold next year." In particular, the jointly developed 'Android XR' with Google and Qualcomm is an open platform based on AI, capable of expanding into various form factors, from headsets to AR glasses.

Kim Kihwan, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics' MX Division, said, "We worked as one team with Google and Qualcomm through all stages, from hardware and software to market entry strategies," adding, "We saw limitless possibilities, which is why we named the project 'Infinite.'"

Samsung plans to expand the Android XR platform to various form factors in the future. Executive Vice President Lim stated, "Smart glasses are complex products that require consideration of fashion, vision correction, and distribution channels," adding, "We are working hard in collaboration with eyewear brands such as Gentle Monster and Warby Parker." He emphasized, "This XR is just the first step, and the scalability of Android XR was designed with this roadmap in mind from the very beginning."