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In February, Samsung joined hands with Google and Qualcomm to develop XR (extended reality) technologies and experiences for the future. It appears the collaborative effort of the three tech giants will bring us an XR headset next year. According to the Korean media, the company plans to launch the device in a limited quantity at the end of 2024. It may expand the production later depending on the market.
Samsung is gearing up to launch an XR headset next year
Samsung reportedly planned to launch its first XR headset in early 2024, possibly alongside the Galaxy S24 series in January. However, it delayed the plan to improve the product. Industry insiders believe Apple’s Vision Pro announcement in June (scheduled to arrive early next year) made the Korean firm rethink its product. It returned to the drawing board and is rejigging the headset with better design and specs to match the competition.
A new report coming from South Korea says Samsung is now preparing to launch the XR headset, codenamed “Infinite,” in December next year. An industry insider familiar with the matter suggested that the company may unveil the device during an Unpacked event in the second half of 2024. They likely mean the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 launch event in July/August, which usually gets tremendous media coverage and public attention.
Interestingly, Samsung has set an extremely modest initial production volume of just 30,000 units for its first CR headset. The company appears to be uncertain about the market for the device. It may be looking to evaluate the market for a few months before deciding on the final production plans. The Korean firm may get a fair idea of the market once Apple releases the Vision Pro. Meta’s Quest 3, which arrived last month, is its competition too.
Samsung’s success will depend on pricing and content
The XR market, which encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies, is relatively new. Companies are still figuring out what works and what doesn’t. However, a device’s success depends a lot on its pricing and the quality of content. Samsung must have equipped the upcoming XR headset with powerful specs, but it still needs to provide users with quality content.
As for the price, Meta’s Quest 3 starts at just $499 while Apple’s Vision Pro costs a staggering $3,500. So the market is wide open for all kinds of devices. It remains to be seen where Samsung positions itself in the market, which is projected to grow to $151 billion by 2026. We may hear more about the company’s first XR headset in the coming months. Maybe it will share something at the Galaxy S24 launch event in January. We will keep you posted.