Samsung to Launch Extended Reality Headset Next Year

SEOUL, Dec. 13 -- South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. announced on Friday that it plans to release an "extended reality" (XR) headset in global markets next year. This innovative headset is being developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm.

The upcoming XR headset will be part of a new category of wearable devices that will utilize Google's latest Android software, referred to as Android XR. This operating system has been developed alongside Samsung to ensure compatibility with the new headset.

According to a Samsung company spokesperson, "The XR headset product will arrive in global markets sometime next year. No further details are available about the product for now." This indicates that there may still be some information to be unveiled as the launch date approaches.

Extended Reality encompasses a variety of technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). This new headset, which is being internally referred to as Project Moohan—derived from the Korean word for "infinity"—is expected to offer users an immersive experience.

A notable feature of the Samsung headset will be the integration of Google’s Gemini chatbot. This feature will enable users to manage their applications using conversational commands and physical gestures, enhancing user interaction.

Additionally, the headset will be powered by Qualcomm's XR2 Gen 2 chip, designed specifically for mixed-reality devices, delivering improved performance and functionality.

Shahram Izadi, who serves as Google's vice president of XR, mentioned that Android XR aims to be an open and integrated platform intended for headsets as well as smart glasses with screens embedded in their lenses. As part of this initiative, Google also has plans to launch its own smart glasses built on the Android XR platform, although the exact timeline has yet to be determined.

The combination of Google's new operating system and the Samsung-designed headset is anticipated to pose significant competition to existing products in the market, particularly Apple's Vision Pro headset and smart glasses, as well as virtual reality headsets by Meta Platforms Inc..

Samsung, XR, headset