Samsung XR headset reportedly delayed again – I’m starting to worry it’ll never come

Will we ever spot nan Samsung XR headset? That’s nan mobility I’m near asking aft yet different report that nan rumored XR hardware collaboration Samsung and Google person been moving connected is delayed – this clip saying it won’t get until 2025 aliases possibly moreover 2026.

Delay rumors – particularly those of unannounced tech – don’t matter excessively overmuch successful isolation. The Apple Vision Pro was delayed plentifulness of times earlier yet making its debut, but pinch nan Samsung delays, I’m near wondering if its headset mightiness ne'er spot nan ray of day.

First, because nan Apple Vision Pro, which Samsung is seemingly attempting to mimic wasn’t moreover that successful. The headset that reportedly convinced Samsung and Google to hold disconnected connected releasing their headset initially mightiness beryllium technologically impressive, and specs-wise it’s acold and distant nan champion user VR headset, but it’s besides $3,499 / £3,499 / A$5,999. From a creation and functionality perspective, Apple doesn’t do capable to person folks they should walk this overmuch alternatively of snagging a acold cheaper and arsenic useful (in ways much useful) Meta Quest 3.

A not insignificant portion of nan Vision Pro’s constricted occurrence I suspect, is because it’s an Apple product. Apple tech has a rabid fanbase that astir mainstream tech brands – i.e. Samsung and Google – don’t replicate. So I powerfully fishy a $3,499 / £3,499 / A$5,999 Samsung headset – moreover 1 that’s a small cheaper, opportunity $2,499 / £2,499 / A$4,499 – would struggle to waste arsenic good arsenic nan Vision Pro unless it boasts immoderate monolithic capacity and inferior upgrades.

Could glasses beryllium nan measurement to go?

Then there’s nan caller kid connected nan block: Meta Orion AR glasses. Even astatine this prototype shape Meta has wowed tech journalists and manufacture experts alike – our ain Lance Ulanoff called nan acquisition “everything Apple Vision Pro should beryllium today.”

While I emotion my Meta Quest 3 and VR successful general, I admit that afloat immersion, aliases moreover mixed reality, via a bulky look wearable isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. A brace of thinner, lighter, and much comfortable glasses is overmuch much approachable.

If it had landed this twelvemonth I fishy Samsung’s hardware could person made a sanction for itself, but if it’s delayed until 2026 past that only gives it a year, possibly a year-and-a-half if it launches early 2026, earlier nan user type of Orion is expected to debut (late 2027 per leaks).

If Meta brings Orion to marketplace sooner aliases teases nan user type a twelvemonth successful beforehand – arsenic it did pinch nan Meta Quest Pro – that could supply an moreover swifter extremity to nan Samsung XR headset hype. Next to fully-fledged AR glasses, I ideate nan headset will consciousness almost instantly ancient.

Samsung and Google promised we’d perceive much astir their XR collab before nan extremity of 2024, and until nan charismatic statement changes, I’m hopeful we’ll spot thing successful nan adjacent mates of months.

I’m moreover hopeful that we'll get immoderate hardware and nan rumors are false, arsenic a spot of title is ever fantabulous for innovation.

But I’m not holding my breath. The winds of alteration are blowing beardown successful nan XR space, and Samsung’s high-end headset feels progressively dated arsenic nan days pass. Maybe it's clip to propulsion nan plug and attraction afloat connected nan rumored Samsung smart glasses instead.

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