{"id":341165,"date":"2025-10-29T16:55:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T16:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/341165\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T16:55:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T16:55:13","slug":"galaxy-xr-vs-apple-vision-pro-comparing-the-vr-headsets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/341165\/","title":{"rendered":"Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro: Comparing the VR headsets"},"content":{"rendered":"

After months of speculation, Samsung and Google have finally unveiled their long-awaited VR headset, with the Galaxy XR.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first to run on Android XR, we explain the specs of the Galaxy XR headset and compare it to the considerably more expensive Apple Vision Pro.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Make sure you visit our best VR headset<\/a> guide to see our current favourite devices.<\/p>\n

Price and Availability<\/p>\n

The recently announced Samsung Galaxy XR headset is available now in the US and Korea, with a starting price of $1799 or $149 a month. At the time of writing, we don\u2019t know when the headset will launch in the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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In comparison, the Apple Vision Pro is considerably more expensive with a starting price of an eye-watering \u00a33199\/$3499. However, unlike the Galaxy XR, it is available in many more countries including the UK, US and across Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 vs M5<\/p>\n

Made in collaboration with Samsung, Google and Qualcomm, it\u2019s fair to say the Galaxy XR is a considerable group effort. While the headset runs on Galaxy XR (which we\u2019ll go into more later), it\u2019s powered by Qualcomm\u2019s chipset for XR headsets, Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While we haven\u2019t reviewed the chip ourselves, Qualcomm promises it enables the Galaxy XR to deliver \u201cnext generation immersive experiences with visual clarity\u201d. In addition, the chip enables powerful on-device AI and supports both MR and VR technology too.<\/p>\n

In comparison, the most recently announced Apple Vision Pro runs on Apple\u2019s M5 chip while its predecessor ran on the 2022 M2 chip. Apple explains that its M5\u00a0is able to simultaneously run visionOS, \u201cadvanced computer vision algorithms\u201d and deliver \u201cstunning graphics\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Apple also promises the Apple Vision Pro can deliver faster load times, more responsible web browsing, sharper details and up to 2x faster AI workloads than its predecessor too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"GalaxyGalaxy XR. Image Credit (Google)<\/p>\n

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Galaxy XR is the first of its kind to run on Android XR<\/p>\n

The Galaxy XR headset is the first headset that\u2019s built and runs on Android XR, Google\u2019s new operating system for headsets and glasses. Google promises that Android XR combines \u201cGemini\u2019s helpfulness with an awareness of your surroundings to bring you new ways to use an AI assistant and experience apps and games\u201d.<\/p>\n

Android XR offers you access to Google apps that have been reimagined for XR, via the Google Play Store, including the likes of HBO Max, YouTube, Google TV and even Google Maps and Chrome. However, Google has made it clear that \u201cit\u2019s just getting started\u201d with what its XR provides.<\/p>\n

\"GalaxyGalaxy XR runs on Android XR. Image Credit (Google)<\/p>\n

The Vision Pro runs on Apple\u2019s VisionOS instead, which is built on the same foundations as macOS, iOS and iPadOS. It also features its own dedicated App Store which includes apps that are built specifically for visionOS and includes compatible iPad and iPhone games too.<\/p>\n

\"AppleApple Vision Pro. Image Credit (Apple)<\/p>\n

Apple Vision Pro promises longer battery life<\/p>\n

Powering the Vision Pro is an external, aluminum-encased battery that promises up to three hours of video playback or up to 2.5 hours of general use. However, of course it\u2019s worth noting that the exact battery life will depend on a multitude of factors including the settings enabled and apps used.<\/p>\n

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The Galaxy XR promises just slightly less battery compared to the Vision Pro, with up to two hours of general use or up to 2.5 hours of video playback. Much like the Vision Pro, the battery pack is also separate from the headset, which should help the device feel more compact and comfortable to wear.<\/p>\n

Galaxy XR is considerably lighter<\/p>\n

Following on from the above, considering the nature of a headset, you ideally want it to be fairly lightweight so it doesn\u2019t weigh down and become uncomfortable after prolonged wear. With this in mind, it\u2019s especially noteworthy that the Galaxy XR headset (without including the external battery pack) weighs just 545g whereas the Vision Pro can weigh as much as 800g, depending on the Light Seal and head band configuration.<\/p>\n

Although we haven\u2019t reviewed the Vision Pro, it\u2019s fair to expect that as it\u2019s considerably heavier than the Galaxy XR, it might become uncomfortable to wear after a long period of time. However, as Apple offers multiple head band and fitting options, there\u2019s likely ways around this.<\/p>\n

\"AppleApple Vision Pro. Image Credit (Apple)<\/p>\n

Apple Vision Pro features Spatial Audio<\/p>\n

Thanks to dual-driver audio pods positioned close to each ear, the Vision Pro is able to deliver spatial audio<\/a> which Apple promises blends with real-world sounds to keep you aware of your surroundings. Plus, naturally as part of Apple\u2019s ecosystem, the Vision Pro also pairs seamlessly with AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4<\/a> to offer lossless audio with ultra-low latency too.<\/p>\n

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While the Galaxy XR doesn\u2019t explicitly offer spatial audio, Samsung does promise immersive sound that \u201cplaces users at the center of extended worlds\u201d.<\/p>\n

Early Verdict<\/p>\n

Marking the first headset powered by Android XR and running on Qualcomm\u2019s XR chip,\u00a0 the Galaxy XR is undoubtedly an exciting prospect. However, it\u2019s worth noting that both Samsung and Google have stated that this headset is \u201cjust the beginning\u201d so it might not be a fully-baked headset at this stage.<\/p>\n

Even so, considering it\u2019s much cheaper and lighter than the Vision Pro, the Galaxy XR is arguably a more appealing option for those factors alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have to wait until we review both headsets to provide a conclusive verdict.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After months of speculation, Samsung and Google have finally unveiled their long-awaited VR headset, with the Galaxy XR.…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":341166,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[158,67,132,68,729,730],"class_list":{"0":"post-341165","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-virtual-reality","8":"tag-technology","9":"tag-united-states","10":"tag-unitedstates","11":"tag-us","12":"tag-virtual-reality","13":"tag-vr"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115458508796089665","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=341165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/341166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=341165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=341165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=341165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}