Samsung is signalling a new phase in mixed reality with its Galaxy XR headset, positioning artificial intelligence at the centre of the experience. A short hands-on session at CES 2026 made one thing clear: mixed reality is rapidly shifting toward AI-first interactions.
Built through a partnership between Google, Qualcomm and Samsung, the Galaxy XR is priced at $1799 and runs on Android XR. It is positioned as both a product and a testing ground for future smart glasses. Samsung’s Mobile Chief, Won Joon Choi said “I think there will be a shift in how people interact with devices” and added that, AI powered glasses will complement smartphones rather than replace them. The headset is light, comfortable and designed for long sessions with hand and eye tracking replacing standard controllers.
Gemini is the standout feature. It can see the real world and open apps at the same time, then respond through Gemini Live which launches with a single button. Google’s Sameer Samat said “Our goal is to go beyond the world of AI assistance that’s on demand and more to a world where it’s proactive and that requires context”. During demos, Gemini explained places in Google Maps, reacted to YouTube videos and scanned Photos in real time though it still made occasional mistakes in sports explanations and app selection.
Google Maps, YouTube and Photos are the most polished apps so far. Maps offers immersive 3D globe views and 3D scanned interiors using Gaussian splatting. Photos and videos can be converted into 3D memories using Gemini which feels impressive and unsettling at the same time. Hardware specs include dual 4K micro OLED displays at 3552×3840 per eye, a 109-degree field of view, 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. Battery life is about two hours using a tethered pack. Cameras support pass through video eye tracking iris login and avatar creation.
At half the price of Apple Vision Pro, the Samsung Galaxy XR is still expensive but early buyers get strong incentives including one year of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, NBA League Pass and Play Pass. More importantly it previews a wider ecosystem of AI driven devices with smart glasses planned next year. Galaxy XR feels less like an endpoint and more like the opening move.
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