Samsung, in collaboration with Qualcomm and Google, announced at Unpacked 2023 that it is developing an Extended Reality (XR) headset. The device will deliver new mixed-reality experiences to users, although specifics about the upcoming headset have not yet been revealed.
Recent findings suggest that the headset, potentially called “Galaxy Glasses,” will be a standalone device, as it features an internal battery. This is a good sign because standalone devices, as opposed to cheap VR shells that require a smartphone to function, are better suited to meet the demands of the emerging VR/AR market.
The Galaxy Glasses have been classified as “smart glasses,” “smartphones,” “headsets for virtual reality experience,” “headsets for augmented reality experience,” and “headphones.” This implies that the device will have built-in capabilities similar to those of a smartphone and will be capable of delivering standalone virtual and augmented reality experiences.
While no release date for the Galaxy Glasses has been announced, Samsung teased new XR experiences at Unpacked, implying that the headset could be available soon. This could be before the release of the Galaxy Ring, about which Samsung made no mention during the official presentation of the Galaxy S23.
The Galaxy Glasses will need to be more than just a cheap VR shell for Samsung to compete in the emerging VR/AR market and become a player in the so-called “metaverse” segment. To be successful, it will require a solid foundation. The collaboration with Qualcomm and Google could assist Samsung in accomplishing this, but it remains to be seen whether the company has invested billions of dollars in this project.
Finally, Samsung’s collaboration with Google and Qualcomm to create new XR experiences is a promising development in the emerging VR/AR markets. The upcoming Galaxy Glass headset is expected to be a standalone device with built-in capabilities similar to those of a smartphone, allowing users to experience virtual and augmented reality experiences on their own. While no specific release date has been announced, the announcement of new XR experiences suggests that they will be available soon.
