At the end of last year, Samsung announced Project Moohan, an MR (Mixed Reality) headset intended to compete with the Apple Vision Pro. The device was later showcased at Galaxy Unpacked in January, but up until now, there was no confirmed release date for it.
Project Moohan will operate on Google’s Android XR, which is essentially an Android-based system tailored for XR (Extended Reality) devices. Google and Samsung previously demonstrated Android XR in action, positioning it as a direct competitor to visionOS.
Similar to the Vision Pro, headsets that utilize Android XR can be utilized in public for various practical applications, such as obtaining directions from Google Maps. For Project Moohan to be competitive, it must meet several key criteria.
The first is affordability. The Vision Pro’s hefty price tag of $3,499 deterred many potential buyers, so Samsung’s offering needs to come at a significantly lower price point.
Secondly, the headset must serve a clear purpose. Currently, gaming remains the primary driver for VR headset sales, a feature that Apple moved away from.
Recently, Apple acknowledged this oversight by introducing PSVR2 controller support on visionOS during WWDC. Samsung must ensure Project Moohan supports popular VR titles while also offering practical applications beyond gaming.
Comfort is the last essential factor. If Project Moohan cannot be comfortably worn for extended periods, it won’t achieve the market acceptance Samsung envisions.
It will be crucial for them to learn from the Vision Pro and enhance user experience. While it seems unlikely that Project Moohan will rival the pricing of the Meta Quest 3, Samsung’s efforts in proper pricing and marketing could carve out a niche market for the headset, especially following the lack of news about an Apple Vision Pro 2 at WWDC.
Meanwhile, Abdullah enjoys covering developments in smartphones, Virtual Reality, and audio gear, particularly when discussing exciting new VR innovations or significant Apple releases.