Samsung unveils new VR Headset slated for 2025 release
Whether Project Moohan can compete with Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's Quest headset will hinge on its price, performance, and content.
When Samsung announced its partnership with Google and Qualcomm at the Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event to develop a mixed-reality platform, it seemed like a bold step into uncharted territory.
For nearly two years, however, little more than speculation followed—until reports of Samsung’s potential smart glasses in 2025 reignited interest. Soon after, rumors of a mixed-reality headset began to surface.
Now, it seems those rumors are becoming reality as Samsung recently unveiled a new VR headset, codenamed Project Moohan. Revealed shortly after Google introduced Android XR, a new version of Android designed specifically for XR devices, Project Moohan represents Samsung’s first foray the competitive extended reality (XR) headset space.
Kelechi Edeh
However, its design, bearing a striking resemblance to Apple’s Vision Pro, has already sparked comparisons—and not all of them favorable. With its ski mask-like front and emphasis on premium aesthetics, critics are quick to point out how Samsung’s headset seems inspired by Apple’s blueprint. Whether this resemblance will boost consumer interest or invite skepticism remains to be seen.
Unlike Apple’s Vision Pro, though, which aims for exclusivity with its $3,499 price tag, Samsung appears to be positioning Project Moohan as a versatile alternative. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, the Project Moohan is rumored to support high-resolution visuals and advanced features like hand and eye tracking, voice commands, and full color passthrough cameras.
Yet, much of this remains speculative, as Samsung has yet to provide concrete hardware details or confirm its ability to deliver these capabilities at scale.
Furthermore, Project Moohan enters a space dominated by Meta’s Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro, each with its own strengths. Meta’s Quest 3 emphasizes affordability and accessibility, while Apple prioritizes cutting-edge technology and a tightly controlled ecosystem.
Samsung, on the other hand, seems to be treading a middle path—offering an open Android XR ecosystem paired with Google’s robust developer partnerships, including apps like Google Maps and Adobe.
Despite the buzz, the XR market has been a challenging space for even the biggest players. Apple, for instance, has reportedly struggled to gain mainstream traction with the Vision Pro, even considering scaling back production due to lukewarm demand, while Meta’s efforts to dominate the market have met with mixed results.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Samsung’s entry, while bold, raises questions about whether it can carve out a meaningful niche in such a crowded field.
Expected to launch in March 2025, Project Moohan may debut alongside Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 lineup and its rumored smart glasses. Its success will depend not only on its hardware but also on how well Samsung can differentiate itself in an industry where price, content, and usability reign supreme.
