Samsung’s Project Moohan XR Headset: A Real Contender Against Apple Vision Pro

The world of extended reality (XR) is rapidly evolving, and the competition is heating up. Samsung’s upcoming Project Moohan XR headset, developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm, is already making waves for its promising blend of hardware and software innovation. As the race to dominate spatial computing intensifies, Project Moohan aims to offer a compelling alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro, delivering unique features and user experience improvements that could reshape how we see XR technology.

A New Era in XR: Hands-On with Samsung’s Project Moohan

Trying on Project Moohan for the first time felt surprisingly familiar but fresh. It’s a standalone headset powered by Android XR, Google’s latest operating system centered around Gemini, a powerful AI model unveiled at Google I/O 2025. Unlike the Vision Pro, which runs on VisionOS and lacks certain Google apps, Project Moohan offers seamless access to popular apps like Google Photos, Maps, and YouTube—features that immediately enhance usability and content interaction.

The hardware design clearly draws inspiration from Apple’s Vision Pro but takes a lighter, more comfortable approach. Made mostly of plastic and hard metals, the headset felt less bulky and better balanced on the head. While it’s tethered to a portable battery pack, which may limit outdoor use, this setup suggests that Project Moohan is optimized for immersive, stationary experiences such as watching videos, exploring 3D maps, or interacting with AI assistants.

Navigating the Android XR interface was intuitive, relying on familiar gestures like pinching, dragging, and tapping, comparable to using the Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3. Multitasking was smooth, with floating apps and split-screen-like arrangements on an expansive virtual display. The highlight, however, was Gemini—the AI assistant that can manage screen clutter and respond to natural language commands, making user interaction more fluid and less dependent on manual controls.

Though the passthrough camera technology, which blends the real world with virtual overlays, was adequate, it still showed slight blurriness and a cool color tone, suggesting room for improvement. However, the option to remove light blockers from the visor helped maintain a sense of spatial awareness and depth, enhancing immersion.

Pricing and app ecosystem remain open questions. Samsung is expected to price Project Moohan below Apple’s \$3,500 Vision Pro, which could attract a broader audience. However, the number of apps optimized for the relatively new Android XR platform will be critical for the headset’s success. With a tentative launch later this year, early impressions paint a hopeful picture.

What Undercode Say: In-Depth Analysis of Project Moohan’s Potential

Samsung’s Project Moohan XR headset represents a strategic move in the rapidly expanding spatial computing market. By leveraging Google’s Android XR platform and Gemini AI, the device taps into strengths that Apple’s Vision Pro currently lacks, such as a more extensive app ecosystem and a smarter AI assistant. The integration of Gemini stands out as a game-changer—enabling users to multitask naturally without the frustration of cluttered interfaces or cumbersome manual navigation. This AI-driven interaction aligns perfectly with the evolving demands of immersive tech users who seek both power and simplicity.

From a hardware perspective, Project Moohan’s lighter weight and better ergonomics address one of Vision Pro’s main criticisms: discomfort during extended use. The detachable battery pack solution, while somewhat limiting mobility, suggests a clear design philosophy prioritizing session length and stability over portability. This approach could cater well to home entertainment, virtual meetings, and educational applications where users remain relatively stationary.

However, the headset is not without its drawbacks. The passthrough experience, crucial for mixed reality use cases, still needs refinement to meet the seamless blending that users expect. This will be a critical area for improvement as the industry moves toward devices that integrate digital and physical worlds flawlessly.

The competitive pricing expectation is a double-edged sword. While it can attract a mass-market audience, Samsung and partners must ensure that the app ecosystem grows quickly and that developer support for Android XR becomes robust. Without compelling exclusive apps or content, the hardware’s appeal might be limited despite its technical merits.

In the broader context, Project Moohan signifies a shift in XR industry dynamics. Google’s involvement through Android XR and Gemini AI signals a consolidation of software and AI expertise, which could push Apple to innovate further and lower prices. Meanwhile, Qualcomm’s hardware know-how ensures that the device remains technically competitive. This collaboration hints at a more democratized future for spatial computing, where innovation comes from multiple players rather than a single dominant brand.

For tech enthusiasts, this headset exemplifies how AI and XR are converging to create smarter, more interactive environments. The potential for AI to handle multitasking, contextual assistance, and spatial organization could redefine user expectations for XR devices in everyday life and work.

Fact Checker Results ✅

Project Moohan uses Google’s Android XR OS with Gemini AI, confirmed by Google’s I/O 2025 announcements.
The headset’s lighter design and detachable battery pack are validated by hands-on demos from trusted tech reviewers.
Pricing details remain speculative, with no official numbers announced yet.

Prediction 🔮

Samsung’s Project Moohan is poised to disrupt the XR market by offering a more accessible, AI-enhanced alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro. Expect it to appeal strongly to users prioritizing multitasking, app variety, and comfort. Over the next year, Android XR’s ecosystem will likely expand rapidly, driven by Google’s AI innovations, setting a new standard for spatial computing devices. The competitive pricing and collaborative development with Qualcomm may pressure Apple to adjust its strategy, potentially leading to a more consumer-friendly XR landscape worldwide.