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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- At $1,800, Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset is half the price of the Apple Vision Pro.
- You can use native Android apps and Virtual Desktop connections for multi-screen work and media experiences.
- Samsung limits direct PC connectivity to Galaxy Book devices (for now).
After purchasing an Apple Vision Pro, I was initially impressed by its capability to create an immersive, multi-screen environment when paired with my MacBook Pro. However, after just a couple of weeks, the $3,500 price tag proved too steep for the marginal boost in productivity, leading to its return.
When Samsung announced the Galaxy XR headset at half the cost, I was immediately intrigued. For the past two weeks, I’ve put the Galaxy XR through its paces, rigorously testing its utility for professional work. This effort has involved extending my Apple and Windows laptops for productivity while traveling, alongside testing native Android XR applications.
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Based on these results, I’ve decided to keep the Galaxy XR, hopeful that Samsung will continue to release platform improvements and that more essential applications will arrive. Now, let’s take a closer look at key use cases where the headset delivers on its promise, as well as the lingering issues that still need to be addressed.
1. Using native Android XR apps
While hand tracking works for me about 70% of the time, when I’m focused on efficiency and getting work done, I need the headset to be as reliable as my laptop. Therefore, pairing the headset with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse is my preferred method for navigation until Samsung can improve the reliability of its hand and eye tracking.
The availability of apps like Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Microsoft Office is strong, and they perform as expected. I’m able to use these native Android XR apps for writing ZDNET content, creating spreadsheets, and performing the writing and Excel analysis required for my engineering work. Additionally, Samsung Internet, one of my favorite web browsers, works perfectly for all my web-based efforts.
A great feature of the Galaxy XR, designed to boost efficiency, is the ability to position apps spatially around you. This allows you to turn your body or head to work in multiple windows without the constant need to open, close, or minimize programs. You can have up to five apps open at once; launching a sixth will automatically minimize the first one you opened. Simply use the task switcher to bring any minimized application back into view.
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For my day job as a professional engineer, I rely on specialized ship design programs that run on a Windows computer. To access these, I downloaded and installed the VMWare Omnissa Horizon application, which is available for Android XR and should provide remote desktop access. Unfortunately, while the app installs and opens, nothing appears on the display. I eagerly anticipate the developer providing this crucial functionality for improved productivity.
2. Virtual Desktop is almost there
Apple provides a native connection between its computers and the Vision Pro headset, and Samsung offers a similar experience, but only with a Galaxy Book. Thankfully, the Virtual Desktop application fills this gap. It can be installed on Apple and Windows computers, as well as on Android devices, and the $25 app works flawlessly on the Galaxy XR. I paid the fee, and while it’s not perfect, with its occasional hiccups and stuttering, it delivers the general experience I’ve been looking for.
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With Virtual Desktop running on the Galaxy XR, I can use the keyboard and mouse of the connected computer, which makes my external input device a seamless option. It also allows for three desktop displays on the Galaxy XR, which is a major win over limited physical monitors. Since I travel with only a single laptop, the ability to take two very large virtual displays with me — in the form of the Galaxy XR — is well worth the bulk of the Samsung travel case.
One significant challenge and source of frustration I’ve encountered is that placing these desktop windows is finicky, often requiring considerable effort to line them up for an optimal viewing experience. Worse, if you take the headset off and put it back on, all the windows reset and appear right in front of you, forcing you to reposition them in the virtual space all over again.
I experience the same troublesome repositioning when switching from Virtual Desktop to native Android XR apps and back. I would greatly appreciate a feature to save the positions of these windows and a simple button to snap them back to a default arrangement.
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On the positive side, the displays are highly customizable: they can be increased or decreased in size, curved or flattened, and moved closer or further to achieve the desired view. The fonts and displays are remarkably clear, and I never experienced any visual fatigue, even after hours of concentrated work in this environment.
3. Don’t sleep on the USB-C port
A hidden USB-C port is located on the right side of the Galaxy XR headset. While it cannot be used to power the headset, it offers several alternative benefits. A small, light gray cover conceals the port, and it may be easily missed unless you know it’s there. To access it, simply press down on the back side of the cover to raise the front and swing it out of the way.
Although this port cannot be used to connect to an Apple or Windows computer and have the Galaxy XR function as the display for those machines (with multiple monitors), you can connect a USB-C cable to output the Galaxy XR display onto external screens. This is particularly useful for training or demonstrating the Galaxy XR experience to others.
This same port also accepts keyboards, mice, USB hubs, Ethernet adapters, flash drives, and more. Given that the Galaxy XR ships with only one storage configuration (256GB), it’s a significant advantage to know that adding external storage via the USB-C port is easy.
Personally, I’ve resorted to using my great Keychron mechanical keyboard via cable and a Bluetooth mouse with the Galaxy XR; this setup provides efficient navigation and text input when I use the headset as my primary computer display.
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Beyond personal use, I’ve observed that Samsung Heavy Industries is utilizing the Galaxy XR to train new hires, enabling them to learn complex ship assembly procedures using digital twins before ever entering a dry dock. Performing these functions virtually is both faster and safer than starting in the shipyard environment. Similarly, architects and engineers can walk through CAD models at scale, leave floating annotations, and capture feedback on the spot.
Prior to the Galaxy XR, I primarily used a pair of XR glasses to enhance my productivity by expanding my virtual display beyond a single laptop screen. However, I recently developed skin irritation — likely an allergic reaction to the silicone material of the glasses — on my nose and behind my ears. This issue is thankfully absent on the Galaxy XR headset, making it my clear choice for all future business travel.
