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At Samsung Unpacked, the company launched its latest projects, including the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch Ultra, next-generation Galaxy Z line, and more. The appearance of at least one more highly anticipated product was missing -- a Samsung XR headset. While AR/VR headsets weren't officially unveiled at today's Unpacked event, the keynote was sprinkled with some subtle and easily missed mentions of headsets, reminding viewers that they're still very popular.
Toward the end of the event, Google Senior Vice President of Platforms and Devices Rick Osterloh took the stage to highlight Google's partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm to make this headset a reality. "Looking ahead, we are collaborating to bring next-generation experiences across Galaxy products from smartphones and wearables to even future technologies such as the upcoming XR platform, which we have worked closely to develop in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm ,\" Osterloh said.
After Osterloh left the stage, TM Roh, president of Samsung's Mobile Division, mentioned that "a new XR platform is coming later this year".
Roh's comment is consistent with industry analysts who have predicted a Samsung XR headset launch in late 2024. Samsung first announced its partnership with Qualcomm and Google at its Unpacked event in February 2023, but has been tight-lipped since then.
Reports suggest that one of the reasons for the wait is Samsung's desire to launch a device that rivals the impressive specs of Apple's Vision Pro, which was launched in June 2023. For example, Samsung has ordered higher-resolution displays to match Apple's Vision Pro 4K-in-each-eye displays, according to a South Korean report.
Samsung has previously teased that its headphone announcement isn't too far off. That future is a long way off, though, so I'd suggest taking Roh's "later this year" remark with a grain of salt.
