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I’m sitting on a couch in my living room, wearing a high-end mixed reality headset, and raise my hand to control what I see. In my vision is Junji Ito’s new book, Moan. I cup it and hold it with my fingers, then circle the book in the air. A Google search result for the book appears, ready to tell me more.
Research circle It is something On Android phones, and now it’s a thing in my daily reality while I’m wearing it Samsung Galaxy XR. Maybe this feature will eventually come to smart glasses, but for now, I’d have to wear a $1,799 headset to make it happen.
The Galaxy XR is kind of like a half-priced version See Apple Proor a more expensive, Google-enabled Android device Meta Quest. It’s both really, but it’s also a step in the door For a wave of AI smart glasses Headphones will be available soon, supported by Android Platform and designed to compete against Apple, Meta, and other tech heavyweights.
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I’ve been wearing and using the Samsung headphone around the house for a week or so. Is it good? sometimes. Is it something I suggest you buy today? Absolutely not. It is very expensive, and its software and applications are not yet fully developed. On the other hand, this foot in the door has actually given me some eye-opening moments.
Watch this: My first moments with the Samsung Galaxy XR: What’s different here?
Surprise #1: It works with my glasses (sort of)
I normally wear prescription glasses, and when testing the Quest and Vision Pro, I use prescription inserts. However, Samsung didn’t prepare prescription lenses for the headphones it loaned me to test. The only lens provider didn’t seem to have my prescription, which was disappointing.
I was surprised to discover that the Galaxy XR would allow me to put my regular glasses inside the headset lenses. It fits, barely, but enough to use. But doing so blocks the eye-tracking cameras, so I have to use only hand gestures.
I still like the flexibility and open contour of the headphone. I can look at my phone and then look at my headset, almost like a bifocal.
I installed my glasses on my Galaxy XR. This is not recommended, but it worked. The downside is that it obstructs the eye-tracking cameras, so I have to resort to hand gestures.
It is light but not always comfortable
I’m not excited about the fit of the Galaxy XR now that I’m living with it. First, I often put my glasses in them, which is not recommended (see above). This is really convulsing things.
But even without glasses (I also tested it with contact lenses), the entire headset feels smaller and more cramped over time compared to the now-discontinued headset. Meta Quest Pro. This headset had a similar design idea but was more ergonomically convenient, and it worked well with glasses.
The Samsung magnetically attached front head pillow has two size settings. I hope there are more. I feel pressure on my forehead, and sometimes feel like I could have used a top strap, similar to the strap on a much heavier belt. New M5 Vision Pro.
Gemini Live sees what I see, and the search circle is magical
This headset can use Gemini Live to recognize anything in passing video or on app screens. It’s conceptually wild. There is a lot that this can do or enable.
It seems very open and also not helpful in many cases at the moment. Gemini can do relevant searches, describe things, and even try to give advice, but I didn’t always find the advice helpful or clever enough. He was having difficulty performing basic headphone control functions; It won’t close apps, for example.
But the research circle is incredible. I can press and hold and call up the mode, then draw a circle around anything in my field of vision. I’ll get a search answer, from a book to a show I’m watching, to something in an app or game.
Google Maps is the other killer app for this speaker
I wish Apple had made an immersive mapping app for the Vision Pro, but Google beat Apple to the punch, which is great. Some map apps are just standard 2D, but “Global Mode” opens up a 3D map that can be collapsed to a globe mode like Google Earth, which already had a PC VR app years ago.
There too 3D Gaussian Splat scan For some internal companies in major cities. Diving into these feels like the closest thing to being transported to a real location. It’s like 3D Street View.
I wish immersive mode and 2D mode blended more seamlessly, and had more mixed reality-type viewing modes. This isn’t a perfect app by any means, but it’s a great offering.
Apple Vision Pro (left) next to Samsung Galaxy XR (right). Both have tethered battery packs. Galaxy XR is lighter. The Vision Pro packs smaller.
What am I supposed to do on it?
I’m full of concerns about the true purpose of the Samsung Galaxy XR. The screen looks great, but I wish there were more cinema modes to offer. Currently, YouTube and Netflix have floating 2D screens and no movie theater-like setups. Immersive Android XR apps are few and far between, and games often need separately sold controllers to function. Some phone-connected modes seem to require a Samsung phone for maximum streaming.
I don’t think you should get the Samsung Galaxy Meta Quest 3S and 3, That remains Best virtual reality headsets For most people. Meanwhile, the Apple Vision Pro is much more expensive and more accurate. Gemini Live is a big difference maker for Google and Samsung, along with a more open Android ecosystem. I’ll have more ideas as I use them over time – and hopefully I’ll get some prescription lenses to try.