Did anybody else watch the Samsung Vision Pro...er ... I mean Android XR announcement tonight with Google and Qualcomm?!
www.samsung.com
Positives:
+ Price - it's selling for USD$1800 so almost $1500 bucks more price accessible than Apple, however still significantly more expensive than say the Oculus Quest 3. Personal thoughts are that the pricing is somewhat commensurate with capability. The Snapdragon XR Gen 2+ chip isn't anywhere in the same ballpark as R1 and M5. I also can't help but shake the feeling that the pricing on this thing is being heavily subsidized by... well .... you! You're the product shipping all of your data up to Google and Samsung for your eyeballs to be sold to advertisers!
+Packaging - early adopters get Youtube Premium, Youtube playas, a bunch of NBA coverage of live games in 3d and a bunch of other stuff. Personal thoughts - this is a very clever way to try and get this off the ground by Google.
+Weight - the headset comes in almost 300 grams less than the Apple Vision Pro. This is not insignificant and it could be a very important decision point for folks who are considering.
+ Integration with PC games and PC Gaming - this can be used to have your PC's screen display in Android XR. Personal thoughts, from a business perspective, this is a clever move. It's not too dissimilar to Apple Vision Pro working as a secondary monitor for your Mac, however this move by Google clearly allows them them tap into possibly the same gaming market as Quest 3 etc..
+ AI integration - I would consider this as being both a positive and also a negative. What it can do is fantastic. How it does it, by exporting your privacy off device, isn't worth the benefit IMHO.
+ Popular apps that still don't have native Apple Vision Pro versions are available out the door with the Android XR app (specially designed Youtube app, Netflix etc.. ). Apple Vision Pro requires you to look at content through safari.
Negatives:
- I didn't see anything today that felt like Samsung/Google/QUalcomm had pushed the boat further. It is like they took the Apple Vision Pro template (verbatim) and ran with it.
- I don't like how pervasive Gemini is with the XR headset. Again, I have privacy concerns.
- Refresh rates are capped at 90HZ... I do wonder how this will feel to users after extended usage.
- Graphics capabilities looked notably behind Apple Vision Pro, more in alignment with Quest 3 capabilities. It's interesting to compare Apples more natural avatars in Vision OS 26 - it's a night and day difference.
- I'm still not entirely convinced that there is a market here. Personal take , Quest 3 has wrapped up the low end, Apple has the premium end. I'm not sure there is room for another player in the middle. I find myself wondering if this is a communal Zune moment!
Anyway, interested to also get your perspectives too if you happened to tune in.
Enjoy!
Galaxy XR, 256 GB, Silver Shadow, (Wi-Fi) | Samsung US
www.samsung.com
Positives:
+ Price - it's selling for USD$1800 so almost $1500 bucks more price accessible than Apple, however still significantly more expensive than say the Oculus Quest 3. Personal thoughts are that the pricing is somewhat commensurate with capability. The Snapdragon XR Gen 2+ chip isn't anywhere in the same ballpark as R1 and M5. I also can't help but shake the feeling that the pricing on this thing is being heavily subsidized by... well .... you! You're the product shipping all of your data up to Google and Samsung for your eyeballs to be sold to advertisers!
+Packaging - early adopters get Youtube Premium, Youtube playas, a bunch of NBA coverage of live games in 3d and a bunch of other stuff. Personal thoughts - this is a very clever way to try and get this off the ground by Google.
+Weight - the headset comes in almost 300 grams less than the Apple Vision Pro. This is not insignificant and it could be a very important decision point for folks who are considering.
+ Integration with PC games and PC Gaming - this can be used to have your PC's screen display in Android XR. Personal thoughts, from a business perspective, this is a clever move. It's not too dissimilar to Apple Vision Pro working as a secondary monitor for your Mac, however this move by Google clearly allows them them tap into possibly the same gaming market as Quest 3 etc..
+ AI integration - I would consider this as being both a positive and also a negative. What it can do is fantastic. How it does it, by exporting your privacy off device, isn't worth the benefit IMHO.
+ Popular apps that still don't have native Apple Vision Pro versions are available out the door with the Android XR app (specially designed Youtube app, Netflix etc.. ). Apple Vision Pro requires you to look at content through safari.
Negatives:
- I didn't see anything today that felt like Samsung/Google/QUalcomm had pushed the boat further. It is like they took the Apple Vision Pro template (verbatim) and ran with it.
- I don't like how pervasive Gemini is with the XR headset. Again, I have privacy concerns.
- Refresh rates are capped at 90HZ... I do wonder how this will feel to users after extended usage.
- Graphics capabilities looked notably behind Apple Vision Pro, more in alignment with Quest 3 capabilities. It's interesting to compare Apples more natural avatars in Vision OS 26 - it's a night and day difference.
- I'm still not entirely convinced that there is a market here. Personal take , Quest 3 has wrapped up the low end, Apple has the premium end. I'm not sure there is room for another player in the middle. I find myself wondering if this is a communal Zune moment!
Anyway, interested to also get your perspectives too if you happened to tune in.
Enjoy!
