Samsung spent 2024 doing many things, one of which was continually teasing its forthcoming XR headset. Despite a lack of foundation directly in the XR market, Samsung’s interest in AR/VR/MR hardware caught the interest of many market observers.
This is for many reasons, one of which is the size of the firm. Another is Samsung’s broader Galaxy ecosystem, which provides that foundational layer without Samsung having a dedicated XR hardware solution yet.
Galaxy smartphones already have powerful AR hardware and software built in, and most end-users leverage AR more commonly on a phone device than on any head-mounted device.
This is a massive opportunity for Samsung. Unlike competitors like Meta, Samsung has a broad hardware ecosystem to support a dedicated XR wearable, much like how the Apple Vision Pro works alongside newly released iPhone/iPad models. Moreover, Samsung’s hands are already in professional sectors, providing technology frameworks for a range of businesses, therefore securing a foundation for scaling XR hardware.
So, while elusive, the Samsung XR device has firm ground upon which to debut, which may happen soon.
Next week, on Jan 22, marks the next Galaxy Unpacked event. Details concerning the XR device are slim. However, based on last month’s reveal of “Project Moohan,” the current title for Samsung’s device, more news could come soon. Alongside a speculative XR debut, Samsung is poised to debut new mobile AI solutions and details regarding its Galaxy S series device.
Moohan and AndriodXR
Late last year, AndroidXR introduced a new XR operating system and the first look at Samsung’s upcoming headset, codenamed “Project Moohan.” This XR headset is expected to be available for purchase in 2025. While the specific features of Project Moohan are still speculative, AI is anticipated to play a significant role in the device’s functionality.
As part of the Android XR announcement, Google emphasized the importance of Gemini AI assistants in enhancing interactions with the headset and its visualizations. Google also pointed out that, due to its familiar Android foundation, the XR operating system can support a wide variety of existing mobile and tablet applications and purpose-built Android XR content. This development addresses a significant barrier in the broader adoption of XR technology: users need access to various applications and compelling services to encourage investment in an XR device.
In 2024, Samsung reaffirmed its commitment to developing an XR wearable that will integrate seamlessly with its Galaxy ecosystem. This initiative will significantly benefit Samsung’s goals in immersive technology, providing any future XR device with a robust foundation of Galaxy hardware and software. The upcoming Unpacked event next week may offer further insights into this promising future.