Samsung and Google to Unveil Advanced Mixed Reality Headset
Samsung and Google are set to launch a cutting-edge mixed reality (MR) headset to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro. The tech giants recently announced their partnership, and industry insiders expect the device to be unveiled sometime in the next year. Although details about the headset are still scarce, the recent announcement of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip gives us some clues about what to expect.
Qualcomm’s New Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 Chip to Power Samsung’s Headset
Qualcomm’s latest XR chip, the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2, will be the processor powering Samsung’s upcoming mixed reality headset. The chip is an upgraded version of the XR2 Gen 2, which is already being used in Meta’s Quest 3 headset. The XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip boasts improved graphics, better color passthrough camera quality, external camera support, and enhanced AI capabilities. This upgrade places Samsung’s MR headset on par with Apple’s Vision Pro in terms of features and price.
The Rise of More Expensive, Pro-Focused Mixed Reality Headsets
The emergence of Qualcomm’s XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip indicates a wave of more expensive and pro-focused MR headsets in the near future. These high-end devices will directly compete with Apple’s Vision Pro, which has a price tag of $3,499. The Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip offers advanced features such as higher-resolution displays, more simultaneous cameras and trackers, and improved passthrough mixed reality. This suggests that the upcoming headsets will offer a similar level of mixed-reality quality as Apple’s flagship device.
Qualcomm’s XR2 Plus Gen 2 Chip: Enhancing Resolution and Camera Quality
The key advantages of Qualcomm’s XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip lie in its ability to support higher-resolution displays and multiple cameras and trackers. Manufacturers using this chip can achieve up to 4.3K pixel resolution per eye at a 90Hz refresh rate. This improvement in resolution also leads to better passthrough camera quality. The new chip enables better camera resolutions and can display more detailed images on high-quality displays. As a result, mixed-reality experiences can seamlessly blend camera footage of the real world with virtual reality.
What to Expect from Headsets with Qualcomm’s Upgraded XR2 Plus Gen 2 Chip
Headsets equipped with Qualcomm’s XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip will likely feature additional sensors, cameras, and trackers. The chip supports up to 12 cameras and sensors simultaneously, surpassing the 8 cameras on the XR2 Gen 2 chip used in Meta’s Quest 3. Manufacturers may incorporate external video capture, motion tracking, depth sensors, and eye and face tracking cameras into their headsets. Full-body tracking sensors or new methods for sensing hand and body movements are also possible. There are also indications that Samsung and Google might use radar-based Soli sensor technology for precise near-body gesture tracking.
In addition to hardware improvements, the XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip will provide Wi-Fi 7 support, enabling faster connectivity with laptops, tablets, and phones. Qualcomm’s existing split rendering technology allows for shared processing between headsets and other devices, and the new chip is expected to enhance cross-device collaboration even further. This includes the potential for phones and headsets to work together on AI functions, sensor sharing, and rendering tasks. Furthermore, Samsung’s mixed reality headset is likely to have strong integration with Android, allowing compatibility with Google Play store apps and potentially leveraging connections to other devices within the Android ecosystem.
While Samsung and Google have been tight-lipped about their mixed reality headset plans, more information is expected to be unveiled this year. Industry experts anticipate that Samsung’s device will be compatible with smartphones and will have access to a vast library of 2D apps from Google’s Play store. This advantage differentiates it from Meta, which lacks Google Play app support despite running on an Android-based operating system.
Analyst comment
Positive:
– Samsung and Google partnering to launch a cutting-edge mixed reality headset.
– Samsung’s headset to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro.
– Qualcomm’s XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip powering Samsung’s headset, offering advanced features.
– Headsets with the XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip likely to feature additional sensors and better connectivity.
– Samsung’s device expected to have strong integration with Android and access to Google Play store apps.
Neutral:
– Limited details about the headset and its features.
– No specific release date given.
As an analyst, the market can expect increased competition among high-end mixed reality headsets, with Samsung and Google aiming to challenge Apple’s Vision Pro. The XR2 Plus Gen 2 chip from Qualcomm provides advanced features and capabilities, positioning Samsung’s device on par with Apple’s flagship. The market may see a rise in more expensive and pro-focused MR headsets, offering similar mixed-reality quality. Samsung’s strong integration with Android and access to Google Play store apps could provide a unique advantage.
