Samsung Galaxy XR

Not available in the UK at the moment, but that should give Samsung time to smooth out the early bugs

- MARK SPOONAUER

PRICE $1,799 from samsung.​com (US only)

The Galaxy XR looks a lot like the Apple Vision Pro (see p48) - but it's cheaper, lighter and smarter too, thanks to its integration with Gemini Live.

You might imagine the weight would be the least interesting difference, but it makes a big impact. At 545g it weighs around 200g less than Apple's headset, and even when I'd been testing the Galaxy XR for hours on end, I never found it tiring to wear, which is a major win.

It helps, too, that the design doesn't require a strap going across the top of your head. You simply adjust the tightness with a twist dial on the back; there's a forehead cushion toward the front, and you can add a thicker spacer if you need it.

The build quality feels cheaper than the Vision Pro, with its plastic arms and battery unit reflecting its lower price. The light shields for blocking out external light feel flimsy, too, though they work well once in place. Even so, when using the headset, I was struck by how much more comfortable it is than the Apple Vision Pro.

Pinch and point

The Galaxy XR uses a pair of 4K micro-OLED displays with a 109-degree horizontal field of view and 100 degrees vertical. That's slightly more pixels than Apple's headset, and a similar field of vision. The 72Hz refresh rate dials dynamically up to 90Hz, and the Galaxy XR generally delivers a crisp, bright and colourful picture, whether you're skimming through photos, playing a game or watching Netflix.