The high-end mixed reality market, long dominated by Apple's expensive hardware, just got a serious new contender. Samsung has officially pulled the curtain back on its "Project Moohan," revealing the Samsung Galaxy XR.
While the Meta Quest 3 comfortably holds the budget-friendly $499 spot, Samsung is aiming directly at the premium tier. The question for US tech enthusiasts is no longer if Apple has a competitor, but how Samsung's new device stacks up.
We've pitted the Galaxy XR against the Apple Vision Pro to compare the specs, features, and—most importantly—the price.
The Price Tag: A $1,700 Gap
For most consumers, the first and biggest difference is the cost. Samsung has strategically positioned the Galaxy XR to undercut Apple, and the difference is massive.
Apple Vision Pro (M5): Starts at a staggering $3,499
Samsung Galaxy XR: Enters the market at $1,799.99
This places the Galaxy XR at nearly half the price of Apple's offering. While $1,800 is far from cheap, it creates a new "pro-level" category for users who find the Vision Pro's price unjustifiable.
Head-to-Head: The Specs Deep Dive
This isn't just a price war; Samsung is competing on hardware, and in some key areas, it wins.
Display: This is Samsung's biggest victory. The Galaxy XR boasts a superior display density of 4,032 pixels per inch (PPI). The Apple Vision Pro, while stunning, clocks in at 3,386 PPI. This means the image in Samsung's headset should appear noticeably sharper.
Weight & Comfort:
Another win for Samsung. The Galaxy XR is reportedly lighter than the Vision Pro.
Platform & Power: Here's where the comparison gets interesting. The two headsets run on entirely different ecosystems.
Samsung Galaxy XR: Powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip and runs on Google's new Android XR operating system. This opens it up to a vast library of Android apps.
Apple Vision Pro: Runs on Apple's incredibly powerful, desktop-class M5 chip and its seamless visionOS. Its main advantage is the deep integration with the Apple ecosystem (iPhones, Macs, and iPads).
The Verdict: Ecosystem vs. Value
Samsung has launched a brilliant strategic attack. It challenges the Apple Vision Pro directly on key specs—beating it on display resolution and weight—while offering it for $1,700 less.
The choice for US consumers is clearer than ever: Do you want the raw power and seamless ecosystem of the Apple Vision Pro, or the superior display, lighter comfort, and incredible value of the Samsung Galaxy XR? The mixed reality battle has officially begun.