Samsung is preparing its return to the mixed reality market with Project Moohan, an XR headset developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm. Designed to compete head-on with the Apple Vision Pro, the Korean manufacturer is relying on the Android XR ecosystem, which already offers numerous apps.
Design and materials
The Project Moohan XR headset adopts a modern design reminiscent of the Apple Vision Pro. Its wide front, surrounded by a metal frame and featuring a neutral gray hue, reinforces the impression of robustness. A thumbwheel adjustment on the rear allows the headband to be adjusted.
The battery, housed in an external case that slips into the pocket and is connected by cable, helps to lighten the weight of the headset, a choice designed to improve comfort during prolonged use. The unit uses a variety of materials, including metal, glass, plastic and fabric, to combine strength and comfort.
Android XR: an OS designed for mixed reality
The headset runs on Android XR, a version of Android designed specifically for virtual and augmented reality. The interface is organized around floating windows, immersive panels and a navigation system entirely redesigned for 3D. Gestures play a central role: simply pinch your thumb and forefinger together to select an item or app, join your hands to zoom in, or turn your hand towards you to access the home page. This type of navigation aims to make use intuitive, even for novice users, while eliminating the need for physical controllers.
Voice recognition and eye tracking are also included. On-board sensors detect hand, eye and head movements to facilitate natural interactions. The Google Gemini assistant accompanies the experience, responding to voice commands, displaying contextual information or guiding the user through various apps. The emphasis is on fluidity and integration between the headset and the existing Android ecosystem.
An ecosystem of apps
Right from launch, the Samsung Project Moohan headset provides access to several flagship apps adapted to the XR. On YouTube, video playback takes place on a virtual screen that can be resized or moved by hand. An option lets you switch to immersive mode, removing interface elements to place the video in an enlarged environment, where playback controls and suggestions are displayed according to the user’s gaze. Artificial intelligence processing enables 2D videos to be converted into 3D content, reinforcing the sensation of relief on certain content.
Google Photos also offers similar functionalities. Users can scroll through their albums using gestures and activate an immersive mode, which adds depth to photos through AI analysis. The rendering of a vacation photo or a fireworks display becomes more vivid, with the accentuated perspective offering a new experience for rediscovering memories.
Google Maps lets you travel virtually in 3D environments. The Gemini assistant can suggest places to visit, provide contextual information or guide the user from one point of interest to another. The transition from an aerial view to Street View is seamless, illustrating the potential of spatial navigation offered by the Project Moohan headset.
Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor
The Project Moohan headset uses the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, one of the most powerful in the XR segment. This platform offers fast graphics processing, efficient power management and low latency, essential to avoid discomfort in immersive use. The headset is equipped with up to twelve sensors and cameras for precise motion tracking and reliable interaction with virtual content. High-definition micro-OLED screens ensure crisp visual reproduction, suitable for passthrough that mixes real and virtual elements.
Market launch in fall 2025
The launch of Project Moohan is scheduled for October 21, 2025, with a presentation at the Unpacked event at the end of September and gradual commercialization from October, first in Korea, then internationally. A version dedicated to developers will be accessible as a priority in order to promote the enrichment of the app catalog, with Samsung counting on the Android community to adapt and create new uses.
This is a high-end headset, with a price between 1,500 and 3,000 euros according to initial estimates. This price range primarily targets a public of professionals, creators and informed users, although Samsung is counting on the platform’s openness and Android compatibility to gradually broaden the audience. The ecosystem will be enriched by an SDK and classic development tools, to facilitate the arrival of a variety of apps.
The Project Moohan headset symbolizes Samsung’s return to the mixed reality market with a clear ambition: to offer a powerful, flexible device connected to the Android ecosystem. Without revolutionizing form or applications, it relies on mature technologies and a user experience designed to be accessible, while paving the way for new uses. The XR market is still emerging, but the headset could well be a decisive step in the democratization of extended reality within the Android environment.
