Project Moohan: Samsung's Android XR Headset Challenges Apple's Vision Pro

Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm have collaborated to introduce Project Moohan, a groundbreaking extended reality (XR) headset that aims to rival Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Quest 3. Project Moohan, named after the Korean word for 'infinity,' signifies Samsung’s vision to deliver limitless immersive experiences in the XR domain.

The design of the Samsung Moohan headset closely mirrors that of the Apple Vision Pro, but with distinct features that set it apart. Unlike the Vision Pro, the Moohan does not display the user’s eyes externally. Instead, it emphasizes voice control through its integration with Google’s Gemini AI, offering a more intuitive user experience. The headset also includes a touchpad on the right strap for additional input options and detachable light seals for customizable immersion levels.

Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor, the Moohan delivers superior performance and graphics. The processor, optimized for XR, offers a 20% higher CPU and 15% higher GPU frequency compared to its predecessor. The visual experience is enhanced by high-resolution 4K micro-OLED panels, rumored to be supplied by Sony.

Project Moohan is the first device built on Google’s Android XR platform, a specialized operating system designed for extended reality with AI at its core. This platform ensures compatibility with the Google Play Store and features a range of spatial apps tailored for mixed reality experiences. Qualcomm is also working with Google to extend the platform, paving the way for other OEM partners like Lynx, Sony, and XREAL to develop Android XR-based devices.

Samsung and Google are no strangers to the XR and VR spaces. Samsung’s early Gear VR initiative, launched in 2014, was instrumental in bringing mobile VR to consumers and provided valuable insights into hardware and content. Google’s experiments with Cardboard and Daydream, followed by the shift to smartphone-based AR with ARCore, have laid the groundwork for Project Moohan. This collaboration combines Samsung’s advanced hardware with Google’s Android XR platform and Gemini AI to deliver a unified and immersive mixed reality experience.

The integration of Google’s Gemini AI is a key differentiator for the Moohan. Gemini can interact with the real world through the headset’s cameras and microphones, enabling users to ask contextual questions and engage in conversations. This AI can understand user intent, assist in planning, and guide users through various tasks. Gemini can be accessed with a dedicated button or hand gesture, providing a multimodal conversational experience.

The Moohan is well-suited for productivity and entertainment applications, offering a high level of immersion and capabilities. Users can enjoy AI-based personal fitness training, gaming with friends, and learning in safe environments. For portable applications, AR/AI glasses like the Meta Rayban may be more suitable.

Initially targeted at developers building for the Android XR platform, the Moohan is set to launch in late 2025. Priced between the Apple Vision Pro ($3499) and the Meta Quest 3 ($499), the Moohan is expected to offer a premium product with AI features at a more accessible price point.

While there are many VR headsets on the market, few can match the capabilities of the Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3. Project Moohan aims to change that, positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the XR space.