Samsung Galaxy XR: How and where to buy the new VR headset

Samsung's answer to the Apple Vision Pro is finally here. The Samsung Galaxy XR virtual reality headset formally debuted Tuesday during a livestreamed Galaxy Event, ditching its "Project Moohan" code name after ten months and marking the first-ever Android XR headset. You can order it now for $1,799.99.

The Galaxy XR is exclusively available for purchase on Samsung.com or in Samsung Experience Stores in the U.S. and South Korea. At the time of writing, Nov. 4 is the earliest delivery date for American shoppers.

While the Galaxy XR isn't cheap, it's worth noting that it's almost half the price of the $3,499 Vision Pro (which Apple happened to update with M5 silicon and a new band just last week). We'll have an in-depth breakdown of the differences between the Galaxy XR and Vision Pro in the coming days, but in the meantime, here's a quick overview of the former's specs:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip

• Memory: 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB storage

• Display type: Micro-OLED

• Resolution: 3,552 x 3,840 pixels

• Refresh rates: 60Hz, 72Hz (by default), up to 90Hz by request

• Video playback: UHD 8K (7680 x 4320 pixels) at 60fps

• Field of view: 109 degrees horizontal, 100 degrees vertical

• Camera: 6.5MP, supports 3D photo and video capture

• Sensors: Two high-res pass-through cameras, six world-facing tracking cameras, four eye-tracking cameras, five inertial measurement units (i.e. motion sensors), one depth sensor, and one flicker sensor

• Interpupillary Distance (IPD): 54~70mm  

• Battery: Up to two hours of general use, up to 2.5 hours of video playback

• Connectivity: WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4

• Weight: 1.2 pounds with its forehead cushion

• Color: Silver shadow

• Security: Supports iris recognition for unlocking and entering passwords

The Galaxy XR headset ships with several accessories, including a protective cover, a forehead cushion (plus adjusters), detachable light shields for improved immersion, a power cable, a battery pack, a wall charger, and a lens cleaning cloth. Anything else is going to cost you extra.

The Galaxy XR's controllers and travel case retail separately for $249.99 apiece on Samsung's website, though the latter was sold out the last time I checked. You'll save 30% if you bundle them with the headset (as opposed to buying them later).

If you're a glasses-wearer, a pair of prescription lenses that magnetically attach to the Galaxy XR tacks on an extra $99.99. They're available through Eyebuydirect.

At least Samsung isn't charging extra for the headset's XR experiences — not yet, at least. For a limited time, the Galaxy XR includes a free "Explorer Pack" of services that it supports, including 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, Google Play Pass, Calm Premium, and Adobe's Project Pulsar (a 3D video editing app). It's worth more than $1,140 altogether.

For more on the Galaxy XR and all it entails, check out Mashable's contributor Adam Dowd's initial hands-on review.