At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in 2024, Samsung made headlines with the reveal of its latest XR headset, a product of collaboration with industry giants Google and Qualcomm. The launch is eagerly anticipated in 2025. During the event, Samsung also showcased a range of cutting-edge technological innovations, including a smart ring and a robotic mobility aid, highlighting its strides in immersive technology.
This marked the first public demonstration of Samsung's foray into XR headsets, following months of speculation and rumors. The device, tentatively named "XR," suggests Samsung's commitment to traditional augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) terminology, steering clear of the more recent term, "spatial computing."
While detailed specifics are scarce, early indications point to the headset featuring a microOLED screen, eight cameras for tracking, a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor, and capabilities for voice, eye, and hand tracking.
The partnership with Qualcomm likely means the headset will incorporate the XR2+ Gen 2 Platform, a result of collaborative efforts with Samsung and Google, designed to enhance AI capabilities in wearable tech.
Google's involvement hints at the integration of genAI technologies, supported by the XR2+ Gen 2 Platform's AI readiness, promising an advanced user experience on the Samsung headset. A more detailed presentation of the device is expected later this year.
Additionally, at the start of 2024, Qualcomm laid the groundwork for the Samsung XR headset with the debut of its XR2+ Gen 2 Platform, in partnership with Samsung and Google.
Upon unveiling the chipset, Samsung Electronics’ Technology Strategy Team's Vice President and Head, Inkang Song, expressed excitement over the partnership with Qualcomm Technologies and Google, aiming to redefine the mobile industry and offer unparalleled XR experiences to Galaxy users.
Google's Vice President of Augmented Reality, Shahram Izadi, underscored the value of Android ecosystem support, enabling developers to harness Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 capabilities in creating immersive XR experiences alongside Samsung and Qualcomm.
The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset is celebrated for its ability to support 4.3K resolution, enhancing visual clarity for applications requiring high-resolution displays. Hugo Swart, Vice President and General Manager of XR at Qualcomm Technologies, noted the chipset's enhanced GPU and AI features, facilitating sophisticated tracking and interaction capabilities in AR/MR devices.
With improvements including 8x AI performance enhancement, full-color video see-through, and support for advanced rendering techniques, the chipset sets a new standard in XR technology, complete with Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6/6E connectivity options.
While the specifics of the Samsung XR headset remain under wraps, the features of the XR2+ Gen 2 Platform offer a glimpse into the potential of Samsung's upcoming offering in terms of performance and user experience.