Samsung Gear 360 and Gear VR headset (Wikimedia Commons)
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung Electronics plans to reveal a prototype of its extended reality (XR) device in early 2025, accelerating its efforts to expand into immersive technologies.
According to industry sources, the prototype—expected to debut during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event—will feature augmented reality (AR) glasses resembling conventional eyewear, weighing approximately 50 grams.
The device is anticipated to include advanced features such as AI-powered payment capabilities, gesture recognition, and facial recognition. Development has been underway since February 2023 in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm.
Ahead of the prototype unveiling, Samsung is set to introduce its XR platform, the software powering the device, later this month.
This aligns with a strategy outlined by TM Roh, head of Samsung’s Mobile eXperience division, to establish a robust XR ecosystem before releasing hardware. The XR glasses are projected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
To strengthen its XR initiatives, Samsung is expected to expand its XR-related teams and leadership as part of an organizational restructuring this week.
This strategic focus comes amid a rapidly growing global spatial computing market, forecast to surpass $10 billion by 2029 with an annual growth rate of 18%, according to market research firm Omdia.
While the XR market holds immense promise, experts emphasize the need for a well-established ecosystem and open standards to facilitate interoperability.
Leading tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta, are advancing spatial computing technologies across various edge devices, such as AR glasses and robotics, but hurdles remain in efficiency and ecosystem integration.
Samsung’s entry signals its ambition to lead the emerging XR market and compete with established players like Apple, whose Vision Pro mixed-reality headset launched earlier this year.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
