Samsung Unveils Preview of Near-Final Android XR Headset, Lacks Controllers

At this year’s Samsung Unpacked, those eagerly waiting for significant XR announcements might have been a bit underwhelmed. However, the tech giant did unveil a nearly complete version of their upcoming Android XR headset, known by the codename Project Moohan.

Last month, I had the chance to try out Moohan at its initial unveiling. This intriguing piece of technology is Samsung’s newest venture into mixed reality, crafted on the just-revealed Android XR platform.

As the Unpacked event approached, many of us were buzzing with anticipation, hoping to get a closer look at Project Moohan, especially those elusive controllers that have yet to be seen. There were also whispers of the device being positioned as a rival to the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. Although these details remained under wraps, Samsung did display a version of Moohan that’s close to what we can expect in its final form, albeit locked safely away. For more insights, take a peek at The Verge’s video below, offering a glimpse of what’s to come.

Taking inspiration from design elements found in the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, Moohan sports some impressive features. It comes with a sturdy strap, eye-tracking capabilities, and pancake lenses, all packaged in an ergonomic design. Comfort-wise, it felt comparable to the Quest Pro when I tried it.

While it might not boast the expansive field-of-view or top-tier lens quality of some of its competitors, Moohan sets itself apart with its remarkable AI capabilities. The headset, driven by Google’s Gemini AI, shines with its real-time contextual assistance and memory features, offering an immersive experience that positions it as a serious player in the mixed reality arena.

Slated for release later this year—hopefully with a catchier name—Project Moohan is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the market. In the meantime, you can dive into our in-depth hands-on experience, where we explore everything from the hardware details to its seamless integration with Android XR.