Samsung's XR headset got postponed and redesigned - report
Apple's headset may have mixed up Samsung's mixed reality plans: A report suggests a delay of several months.
In February, Samsung announced a partnership with Google and Qualcomm to work on mixed reality hardware. More information about the device, which is believed to be a mixed reality headset with VR and AR support, is expected to be released before 2023.
According to a report from South Korean news outlet SBS Biz, plans for the AR and VR headset could be significantly delayed. Industry insiders have revealed to the broadcaster that Samsung has completely overhauled its Extended Reality (XR) project. As a result, Samsung Electronics has supposedly told its partner manufacturers of the required panels (BOE and Samsung Display) that the schedule will be delayed by three to six months.
Samsung's reaction to Apple Vision Pro?
The decision to revise was made in response to the specifications of Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality headset. The company has decided to review all internal specifications, including the design and panels of the new XR product, according to a source cited by SBS Biz with insight into Samsung's "internal affairs". According to the report, the company had originally planned to start mass production in the first quarter of 2024.
Main reason is the company feels they need to tweak the design to better compete with Apple's Hardware/Software offeringshttps://t.co/qH2H6NI5p2
— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) July 6, 2023
Back in June, Twitter user OreXda reported rumors about Samsung's reaction to the advanced specifications of the Apple Vision Pro.
The display of Samsung's "Galaxy XR" headset was originally planned to have a pixel density of 2,000 PPI. It has since been upgraded to 3,000 PPI (Apple Vision Pro: 3,400 PPI). According to OreXda, the first samples will be produced in November. A release in 2023 would thus be unlikely.
After the recent unveiling of Apple Vision Pro, it has been confirmed that a reevaluation of the details for Galaxy XR is underway. Display has been designed with a resolution of 2000PPI since 2015, now been upgraded to 3000PPI, display samples are scheduled to be produced in Nov pic.twitter.com/xtTQ7RkiVj
— Connor / 코너 / コナー (@OreXda) June 12, 2023
After all these possible changes, it is still uncertain whether Samsung will present the headset at the "Galaxy Unpacked" show. The company today confirmed that the event will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. It will begin at 4:00 a.m. (PT), 12:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time.
Google executive Sameer Samat hinted at the company's own I/O keynote on May 10 that the operating system will be based on Android: "Our partnership with Samsung on Wear OS has been great", Samat said at the conference, "I'm looking forward to our new Android collaboration on Immersive XR." Partner Qualcomm is expected to provide the chip in the new headset.
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