Tech Desk 
Oct 22, 2025
Samsung unveiled its Galaxy XR headset on Wednesday, and it is positioned as a direct competitor to Apple's Vision Pro.
The Galaxy XR headset comes with a price tag of $1,799, about half as expensive as the Vision Pro, which has a price tag of $3,499, making premium mixed reality much more accessible.
The Galaxy XR weighs 545 g, which is substantially less than the original Vision Pro (600-650 g) and the more recent M5-powered Vision Pro (750-800 g).
While the Vision Pro can feel tight after a while, Samsung's larger forehead cushion and straightforward rear-strap knob distribute the load better, providing a more comfortable fit for prolonged use.
The XR's dual micro-OLED panels provide 4K resolution per eye at up to 90 Hz. Its pixel density is 4,032 PPI, which is nearly 650 PPI higher than Vision Pro's 3,386 PPI. Apple's headset promotes a 120 Hz refresh for smoother motion, while the XR's higher resolution provides clear, detailed visuals.
Additionally, another benefit of the XR headset is that it can be charged while in use.
The South Korean tech giant makes a strong claim in the areas of software and artificial intelligence (AI). The device incorporates Gemini, a multimodal AI assistant, and runs Android XR, Google's new mixed reality operating system.
Gemini enables users to create AI-powered videos with tools like Veo3, auto-spatialise flat photos into layered 3D images, and operate the device with natural voice commands. Compared with Apple's Siri/Apple Intelligence, which still lags behind in terms of on-device multimodal capabilities, this AI layer is more conversational.
Contrarily, Vision Pro has the advantages of a close integration with the Apple ecosystem, including M5 chip performance, synchronisation between macOS and iOS, and an outward-facing display that displays the wearer's face.
Although the Galaxy XR does not have an external screen, it does support Android apps, Netflix, YouTube TV, and optional Bluetooth controllers, opening up a wider app ecosystem.
Samsung XR headset vs Apple Vision Pro specifications
| Specs | Galaxy XR | Apple Vision Pro |
| Memory | 16GB Memory 256GB Storage | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
| Display | 3,552 x 3,840, 27 million pixels Micro-OLED 6.3‑micron pixel pitch 95% DCI‑P3 Refresh rates: 60Hz, 72Hz (Default), 90Hz (Up to, upon service request) Field of View 109 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical | 23 million pixels 3D display system Micro‑OLED 7.5‑micron pixel pitch 92% DCI‑P3 Supported refresh rates: 90Hz, 96Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz Supports playback multiples of 24 fps and 30 fps for judder‑free video |
| Chip | Snapdragon® XR2+ Gen 2 Platform | Apple M5 chip 10‑core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores 10‑core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware‑accelerated ray tracing 16‑core Neural Engine 153GB/s memory bandwidth Apple R1 chip 12‑millisecond photon‑to‑photon latency 256GB/s memory bandwidth |
| Camera | Supports 3D Photo & video capture 18mm / F2.0 6.5MP *Resolution may vary depending on use case. | Stereoscopic 3D main camera system Spatial photo and video capture 18 mm, ƒ/2.00 aperture 6.5 stereo megapixels |
| Sensors | Two High-resolution Pass-through cameras Six World-facing tracking cameras Four Eye-tracking Cameras Five Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) One Depth sensor One Flicker sensor | Two high‑resolution main cameras Six world‑facing tracking cameras Four eye‑tracking cameras TrueDepth camera LiDAR Scanner Four inertial measurement units (IMUs) Flicker sensor Ambient light sensor |
| Optic (Iris) | Supports iris recognition – Use iris recognition to unlock the device and to enter passwords in certain apps. | Iris‑based biometric authentication Optic ID data is encrypted and accessible only to the Secure Enclave processor Secures personal data within apps Make purchases from the iTunes Store and App Store |
| Audio and Video | Two, 2 Way speaker(Woofer + Tweeter) Six-microphone array – Multiple microphones among the six microphones support beamforming feature depending on the use case Audio Playback – Codec : MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/ AAC+/ eAAC+, Vorbis, FLAC, Opus, Dolby Digital (AC3), Dolby Digital Plus(E-AC3) , Dolby ATMOS(E-AC3 JOC, AC4) Video Playing Resolution UHD 8K(7680 x 4320)@60fps Video Playback (Supports HDR10 and HLG) – Codec : H.263, H.264, HEVC, MV-HEVC, MPEG-4, VC-1, VP8, VP9, AV1 | Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking Personalized Spatial Audio and audio ray tracing Six‑mic array with directional beamforming Supports H2‑to‑H2 ultra‑low‑latency connection to AirPods Pro 2 with USB‑C, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 Audio Playback Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos Video Playback Supported formats include HEVC, MV‑HEVC, H.264, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG |
| Battery | Up to 2 hours of general use* Video watching up to 2.5 hours** Galaxy XR can be used while charging the battery. | Up to 2.5 hours of general use Video playback up to 3 hours Apple Vision Pro can be used while charging the battery |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) BT 5.4 (Up to) | Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) BT 5.3 |
| Interpupillary Distance (IPD) | 54~70 mm Vision Correction Galaxy XR supports vision correction through separately purchasable optical-inserts.* *Prescription lenses are sold separately. | 51–75 mm |
| Weight | 545g* (w/ forehead cushion) Weight may vary depending on whether light shield is attached or not Separate battery weighs 302g. | 26.4–28.2 ounces (750–800 grams) Weight varies depending on Light Seal and headband configuration. Separate battery weighs 353 grams. |
| Price | $1,799 (around Rs509,594) | $3,499 (around Rs991,146) |
Currently, Samsung hasn't announced the launch date of the XR headset in Pakistan, but it is anticipated to be available soon in the country.
Which one to choose between Samsung XR headset and Apple Vision Pro?
The Galaxy XR is a better choice if you want the best value, comfort, and crisp visuals without going over budget.
The Vision Pro might still feel right if you're infatuated with Apple products and require the additional refresh rate and external screen, as long as you can afford the higher price and weight.
