I'm setting up to move to my very own home. I'm delighted, excited and absolutely dreading planning and designing a place I can call my own. But a Meta Quest 3 mixed reality app just gave me a creative way to escape that dread.

I'll be honest, when it comes to anything artistic in a practical sense, my mind automatically decides to give up. Is there enough space for a couch to fit here? Will this paint color match the rest of the furnishings? Where the heck will this 55-inch TV fit? To these questions, my brain decides to, quite simply, nope out — much to the dismay of my partner.

Needless to say, I'm useless at home decoration. It's a shame, because moving into a whole new space should be a delight. Designing rooms from the ground up is thrilling, but all the technicalities of measurements and placements before even getting furniture or home accessories can be a real pain.

That's when I stumbled across the Meta Quest Layout app. In mixed reality, I can map out a space, place adjustable true-to-size 3D virtual objects like a table, TV or bed, and get proper measurements of real-life objects. Since using it, my brain stopped waving its white flag.

It helped me out once before when learning to draw in VR, and now, the Meta Quest VR headset is lending a hand to plan out my dream space (my partner will thank this app in advance).

The (mixed) reality of home design

The Layout app is right in the App library on all Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets, and it's completely free to use. Open it up, and this utility tool will let you measure, visualize and arrange virtual furniture in a physical space, no matter the size of a room.

For me, and the very limited space you'll find in London properties, using the VR headset to map out a room in mixed reality didn't take long (because, you know, rooms are small). As it does when creating a virtual layout for playing VR games, the Quest analyzes the room and creates a room-scale layout, becoming an interior design playground.

Once set up, I was free to get my otherwise non-existent creative juices flowing. Thankfully, it's an easy-to-use app with simple yet highly flexible tools, and I was planning out my desired setup in no time.

My first order of business for this new place is to set up my office, where I'd have a desk, shelves for storage, a table for photoshoots of products (but realistically dumping random items on) and picture frames to place on walls. And you know what? Maybe even a TV!

So that's exactly what I tried out first. Layout offers a bunch of preset 3D objects for everyday objects in homes, including tables, chairs, beds and even doors. What's more, they each come in different preset sizes that are common in homes. For example, when choosing to place a virtual TV, you can choose between 43- to 85-inch screens. But you can resize them to your liking, too.

Instead of getting tape and having to measure out what size TV I could fit on a wall, I was able to place a virtual layout of the screen and see how much space I could play around with. As it turns out, a 50-inch screen could snuggly fit on the wall nicely.

What's great about the Layout app is that you can see what a room could be used for. As an example, I was wondering if I could use this particular space as more of a lounge area, rather than an office. That requires a couch, of course, and as you can see below, that wouldn't exactly work...

But a shelf works instead, as you'll find in the next image. Regardless, having the tools to place, readjust and resize objects to put in a space has been hugely beneficial in giving me an idea of how to design each room. I'm also a huge fan of being able to pick up these virtual objects physically and place them where I want, as it just makes designing the layout of a room all the more realistic.

But that's not the only perk I've found using the Layout app, as it also comes in handy to get precise measurements on what I already own.

Measure away

Measuring tape has quickly become my best pal with this move, as there's only so much space to allow all the decorations and furniture I'd like to have, whether they even fit in through the door. But the Quest's Layout app also acts as a go-to measurement tool.

By selecting Measure, the Quest Touch Plus controllers become an impromptu measuring device. With the controllers in hand, I could see the length, width and depth of my desk, picture frame, bed and more with accurate measurements.

Before anyone asks, no, your arm span isn't the maximum distance the tool can measure, as hilarious as that sounds. You can place anchors with a press of a button, meaning you can continue a longer measurement or angle your measurement to, say, get the full length and width of a desk.

It's a simple feature, but with this, I can take these measurements and find out if furniture or other household objects I have will work in my new home, and see if they fit in with the other virtual objects I've set up in this mixed reality space.

My virtual interior designer

It isn't easy designing a room from scratch, let alone a whole home. Well, for me, at least.

There's a multitude of interior design apps like Home AI that make great use of artificial intelligence to quickly fill up a space with furnishings so you can get an idea of what you want. But in reality, it's just for show, as there's a whole lot of measuring and finding the right furniture that will fit in a room (plus, some of the designs AI can whip up look pricey).

With the Meta Quest 3, though, I can visualize a room and design it exactly how I want it — no need for measuring tape (it will always be by my side, though) or hoping a bed, desk or couch will somehow fit in a room.

I'm still tinkering with how my office will look, and I'll be making my way into each room with my Meta Quest 3 on my head. For homeowners or those looking to shake up their space, give the Layout app a try — it's the ultimate interior design hack.

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With Apple pulling back on its Vision Pro plans, it's now full steam ahead on its push for smart glasses, and a new report just gave us an expected timeline of when we can look forward to the long-rumored Apple AR smart glasses.

According to research firm Omdia, Apple is planning to release its upcoming Apple AR glasses in 2028, sporting OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon), otherwise known as Micro OLED display tech. You'll also find this in the Apple Vision Pro, but now in the form of glasses.

Notably, it will deliver 0.6-inch dual OLEDoS for both lenses. That's a step forward over the LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) the Meta Ray-Ban Display specs use.

Many of the best AR glasses use Micro OLED, with the upcoming Asus ROG Xreal R1 with dual OLEDoS panels boasting up to a 240Hz refresh rate, offering some stunning visuals at 1080p resolution per eye. As the report notes, the adoption of OLEDoS for smart glasses is dominating, and that's expected to increase over the next two years.

If this is the case, we'll be waiting a while before we see Apple's all-new AR glasses arrive. In fact, if the report's launch windows ring true, we'll see the next Meta AR glasses with dual OLEDoS panels and waveguide in 2027 first, along with more specs from RayNeo (also sporting 0.6-inch dual Micro OLED).

While the Cupertino tech giant's AR glasses may be a while, Apple is rumored to be launching AI glasses toward the end of 2026, though that release could slip to 2027. As reported, we can expect these to depend on Siri for AI capabilities, along with built-in speakers and cameras. Siri 2.0 is still expected to arrive in 2026, after all.

Otherwise, with OLEDoS display tech involved, we expect Apple's anticipated AR glasses to be powered by a form of VisionOS, with processing being done via an iPhone. For now, VisionOS looks to be a testing ground (of sorts) for what to expect, as we're now seeing the Vision Pro finally get a YouTube app.

The move to OLEDoS

As Omdia notes, OLEDoS display tech is thin and light, and offers less power consumption than others, including LCoS. This makes it ideal for next-gen AR glasses, and it's looking like Apple will be jumping on these panels for its own AR specs.

But so are many of the biggest players in the smart glasses space. With its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, Meta has been pulling ahead with smart specs for a while, and its introduction into the AR glasses space has already arrived in the form of the Meta Ray-Ban Display.

The report details that AR, VR and MR (mixed reality) revenue is estimated to reach $1.2 billion by the end of 2026, with a 200% year-on-year growth. Apparently, this is due to the growth of OLEDoS in AR glasses and head-mounted displays (HMDs).

We're big fans of Micro OLED on AR specs, with the Xreal 1S AR glasses delivering fantastic visuals with an upgraded 16:10 aspect ratio at a 1200p resolution, along with 3D picture conversion. Apple will have a lot to catch up with, especially with its AR specs now tipped to come in 2028. But at least it should finally enter the smart glasses race with its AI smart specs (hopefully by the end of 2026).

As a side note, Omdia also expects there to be a lightweight Meta MR headset with OLEDoS and pancake in 2026, along with a Quest Pro 2 MR headset also sporting OLEDoS and pancake lenses. These have been rumored, and with Meta indicating "leaked" headsets are still coming, it's a good sign there's more from Quest headsets to come.

While we won't be seeing Apple smart specs in the near future, the next Apple event in March is just around the corner, and we expect to hear more about the iPhone 17e, cheap MacBook and more.

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When the Appl Vision Pro launched in February of 2024, it was surprisingly missing the YouTube app. That all changes today (Feb. 12) with the arrival of an official, native YouTube app for visionOS.

According to Apple, your profiles, playlists, and watch history are accessible in the app. It also includes access to every kind of video from shorts to 3D, 360 and VR180 content.

At launch, Google said that YouTube for the Vision Pro was "on the road map," though the company declined to provide a timeline. The company did recommend using YouTube in the Safari browser.

You can access the new YouTube app on the App Store right now. "The YouTube app turns every video on the platform into a spatial watch experience," the listing says.

If you have the newer Apple Vision Pro M5, you can even watch 8K videos, even as it seems to be the end for 8K TVs.

It's possible the YouTube app finally came to be thanks to Google's own VR/XR goals. The Samsung Galaxy XR was recently launched in October with an excellent version of YouTube available to Android XR users. And Google is rumored to be internally developing its own branded devices.

What Apple really needs to snag now is a native Netflix app. However, there don't seem to be any plans from the streamer to develop one.

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It's official: Meta's VR division is bleeding money. In Meta's latest earnings call, its Reality Labs department lost a staggering $6.02 billion in its fourth quarter while bringing in $955 million, putting Quest VR headsets in a dire state.

That isn't to say Meta hasn't seen a successful year, though. With a revenue of $59.89 billion in the fourth quarter and $200.97 billion in full-year revenue, the company has seen a 24% and 22% year-over-year increase, respectively. But it's Meta's advertising business pulling this weight.

Reality Labs, the home for its Quest VR headsets, smart glasses and metaverse projects, hasn't been profitable. Despite Oculus founder Palmer Luckey stating Meta's recent 1,500 layoffs "is not a disaster," it's clear the company's most exciting department for consumers is facing strong headwinds.

But Meta has long-term plans in place, one that makes AI and smart glasses a top priority for the tech giant. In fact, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg states, expect Meta to make heavy investments "towards glasses and wearables going forward" to make "VR a profitable ecosystem."

Well, one more than the other, it seems. With the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses being the company's highlight in 2025, with still no sight of the highly anticipated Meta Quest 4, Zuckerberg and co. may be done with VR after all, and the writing is on the wall.

Move over, VR

While the Meta Quest 4 is reportedly in the works, the company's latest earnings report and recent layoffs spell a shift in focus. Smart glasses are having their moment, and we've seen Meta double down on this in its Meta Connect 2025 event, releasing its next-gen Meta Ray-Ban Display, Ray-Ban Meta (gen 2) and Oakley Meta Vanguard specs.

Zuckerberg calls AI glasses "a moment similar to when smartphones arrived," so it's only fitting that he continues to say that "the bulk of our 'new' R&D and capital for 2026 is going into the AI compute for glasses."

With Google's Android XR glasses fueling the smart specs race, Apple reportedly ditching its Vision Pro headset and looking into Apple smart glasses and Samsung even confirming plans for its first smart specs during its earnings call, it's only fair for Meta to be doubling its efforts to stay on top of the smart spec industry.

In any case, this looks to lean heavily towards the development of AI and AR in smart glasses over VR headsets, as any mention of a successor to its Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S, or advancements on the virtual reality front, isn't in the conversation.

Even CFO of Meta, Susan Li, backs this up: "We've realized efficiencies in our hardware supply chain for Quest, and as Mark mentioned, the headcount reductions in the VR teams allow us to lean harder into the 'Personal Superintelligence' scaling without the total loss line growing further."

While there's nothing to say Meta is completely abandoning its VR plans, there's reason to believe the company is prioritizing focus on a new wave of tech driven by smart glasses. Unfortunate, considering Quest is one of the best VR headsets you can get today.

Shifting priorities

With AI and smart glasses now in focus, that leaves little room for Meta's Quest VR headsets to grow. While this (hopefully) doesn't mean plans for the Quest 4 will be scrapped, many otherwise VR projects won't see the light of day.

Since Meta closed first-party XR studios, including Armature Studio, Twisted Pixel and Sanzaru Game, we now almost certainly won't see a Batman: Arkham Shadow sequel, or even a Harry Potter VR title — as they've reportedly been canceled. VR gaming continues to be a key factor for the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, so this isn't a good look for the future of the headsets.

Of course, Meta also tried pushing its Quest VR devices as productivity machines, although that didn't work out for the Quest Pro. While we've seen some recent updates, like Meta Horizon TV turning the headsets into quality devices for binge-watching shows, there haven't been many major updates since.

Is Meta quietly giving up on its VR dreams? It may be more of a niche, but those invested in VR, looking for what's coming next, may not have much to look forward to, as AI and AR glasses take priority to see bigger revenue gains.

At the very least, Valve's Steam Frame looks to keep VR in the loop this year.

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It's been six years since the release of Half Life: Alyx, and to this day, there's not much that reaches the heights of Valve's VR masterpiece. And ironically, that's looking to be quite the problem for the upcoming Steam Frame — for now.

From its highly immersive atmosphere that drops you right into the fascinating yet terrifying City 17 under Combine occupation, to the iconic gameplay that I could easily spend hours messing around with just catching glass bottles and more with the Gravity Gloves (or "Russells," of course), and that's just scratching the surface. Half-Life: Alyx not only hit an all-time high for VR gaming, it's an achievement for gaming as a whole.

Don't just take it from me though. At the time, it got the highest marks across the board on multiple sites, now sitting at a very strong 93 on Metacritic, and even in 2022, it was still one of the top-selling VR games on Steam. That's no easy feat, but even today, over half a decade later, it's still considered the pinnacle of PC VR gaming.

So, the good news? It continues to be the best VR experience I've had. The bad? It's (sort of) ruined every other VR title. The ugly? The industry has had a long time to catch up now, and it's still hard to beat. Don't get me wrong; there have been several hits like Batman: Arkham Shadow, Asgard's Wrath 2 and even the recent Arken Age, but none quite to the level of Alyx.

This poses a problem for Valve's next VR headset. The Steam Frame is set to drop in early 2026, but there's no blockbuster follow-up in sight. As we've learned, a gaming device can thrive or die depending on its pool of games, but in this case, Valve also has a high bar to reach to see its Steam Frame soar.

The need for blockbuster VR gaming

The Steam Frame is already set to take over VR this year, with features like its Foveated Streaming for optimized image quality, lag-free wireless streaming straight from a PC thanks to a 6GHz wireless adapter and the ability to play both VR and non-VR games from your Steam library.

Exciting stuff, but are there any upcoming, sure-fire games to take advantage of the VR headset's capabilities and reel in a wider audience? There isn't a peep from Valve (yet). I know, there's a lot of talk of the near-mythical Half-Life 3 being a launch hit for the highly anticipated Steam Machine, but I can hardly imagine this being a VR exclusive if it actually arrives (despite Half-Life: Alyx setting this up quite nicely).

Sure, Alyx is far from the only PC VR game to make it big. Head on over to SteamDB's most played VR games right now, and you'll find titles like Blade & Sorcery, Bonelab, Skyrim VR and more. Interestingly, though, a majority of these titles aren't VR exclusives.

Many of the most-played titles are VR versions of popular PC games, from Sons of the Forest and Phasmophobia to Hitman: World of Assassination and Subnautica. There's even Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil Village (that's for the PSVR 2), which don't have an official VR mode on PC, but well-built mods change that.

That's a fantastic array of games to try out, especially for newcomers grabbing a Steam Frame, but these are titles you can already play with a Meta Quest 3 and a good USB-C link cable connecting to a PC. I don't know about you, but seeing a "fresh" slate of VR titles hit the store will surely be a winning way to stoke the fire for Valve's VR headset.

But then the "Half-Life: Alyx problem" swings back around. Thanks to Valve's accomplishment, we've seen how absurdly good VR gaming can get, and that's a hard feat to top. But for a new VR headset from Valve itself in 2026, it's only fitting we see more games of the like, or how much further virtual reality can be pushed.

Valve hasn't exactly shot itself in the foot by making Alyx such an amazing experience, but those who've played it now know what developers are capable of, and a continuation of this standard can turn VR gaming from more of a niche gimmick into a force to be reckoned with.

Third-party help

Over on Valve's Steam Frame listing page, one of the first videos you'll see is someone putting on the VR headset and stepping into Half-Life: Alyx. Despite coming out in 2020, Valve is still proud to show off that this is a must-play title for its upcoming headset. But it also shows there's not much else that's coming.

I mean, it's not like the successful Steam Deck had games made for it, but considering Valve has made a VR game tells a different story. Perhaps more high-level titles are on the way, seeing as there is a developer kit.

These have been given out to developers well before the launch of the Steam Frame to test and optimize their games on the Steam store, making sure they're ready and "Steam Frame Verified." But more importantly, it also gives them a chance to create a game made specifically for Valve's headset.

Of course, there's no telling if anything is in the works as of now, or even if there is an upcoming VR game from Valve itself. But it's at least a good sign that we'll see more blockbuster VR titles made for Steam — and, hopefully, for the headset itself.

With Meta shutting down several of its first-party gaming studios, including Armature Studio (behind Resident Evil 4 VR), Twisted Pixel (making the recent Marvel's Deadpool VR) and Sanzaru Games (developing Asgard's Wrath), we're seeing more potential AAA VR games being scrapped. Reportedly, that includes a now-canceled Batman: Arkham Shadows sequel and even a Harry Potter VR title.

Having this in mind, the state of VR gaming is already in shaky territory, so seeing another Alyx hit the scene will breathe much-needed new life — something the Steam Frame will have to contend with.

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Meta has seen several shake-ups over the past year, from shifting focus to smart glasses, including its Meta Ray-Ban Display specs, to potentially increasing the price of Meta Quest for more "premium" VR headsets. But now, it's seen a major restructuring of its VR department.

Recently, Meta laid off 10% of its Reality Labs division, which is around 1,500 people. This includes its social platform, Horizon Worlds, along with the closure of several VR studios, such as Sanzaru Games — the developer behind Asgard's Wrath and a reported Batman: Arkham Shadows sequel (via UploadVR).

In light of this, the future of Meta Quest VR has been put into question, with concerns about what will come next for the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, along with the expected Quest 4 that's tipped to be in the works. Mind you, this shift in focus from VR is to push the development of AI smart glasses, such as the company's wearable range like the Ray-Ban Meta (gen 2).

It appears Meta's VR plans are looking bleak, but Oculus founder Palmer Luckey has a different outlook. Speaking about the shake-up on X, Luckey says "the 'Meta is abandoning VR' narrative is obviously false," but there's reason to believe the doom-and-gloom narrative.

Not a 'disaster' after all?

There haven't been many updates to the Meta Quest 3/3S and Horizon OS as of late, aside from a small update to Horizon TV announced during the smart glasses-heavy Meta Connect 2025. Already, this puts VR in a tough spot, and the layoffs don't make it any better. But Luckey explains on X how this could be a "good thing" in the long run.

"This is not a disaster," Luckey states. "They still employ the largest team working on VR by about an order of magnitude. Nobody else is even close. The "Meta is abandoning VR" narrative is obviously false, 10% layoffs is basically six months of normal churn concentrated into 60 days, strictly numbers wise."

Luckey continues: "The majority of the 1,500 jobs cut in Reality Labs (out of 15,000) were roles working on first-party content, internally developed games that competed directly with third-party developers. I think this is a good decision, and I thought the same back when I was still at Oculus."

While the number of workers now laid off seems like a staggering amount, Meta's VR presence is strong and there will still be people working on the metaverse and Quest's ecosystem. So, it's not like the company is outright abandoning its virtual reality front (yet), although we may not see many heavy-hitters when it comes to first-party VR games.

Of course, with XR studios including Armature Studio, Twisted Pixel and Sanzaru Games being scrapped, the developers of the biggest first-party games like Marvel's Deadpool VR (Twisted Pixel) and Resident Evil 4 VR (Armature Studio), this still doesn't paint the state of VR in a good light.

In the post, Luckey further explains how Meta's VR plan should play out: "Change always sucks because people lose their jobs in the process, but in a world of limited resources, Meta heavily subsidizing their own (with money, marketing, placement, etc) at the expense of core technical progress and platform stability doesn't make sense.

"Crowding out the rest of the entire ecosystem, even less so. Every developer big and small, even the hyper-efficient ones, have had an extremely hard time competing with games developed by Meta-owned teams with budgets and teams that spend vastly in excess of earning potential. People will point out that these teams did an awesome job and got awesome reviews from critics and customers alike — yes, and f*cked up though it is, that makes the problem even worse!

"Some people will say 'they should have just funded those developers as external studios rather than acquiring them, then!' Yes, I agree, but hindsight is 20/20. Do you think Oculus expected to only sell 700 copies of Rock Band VR after spending eight figures to make sure it was ready and awesome for Rift CV1 launch, to the point of bundling the guitar adapter with every single headset? Of course not, but sometimes you learn what the world actually wants from you the hard way."

VR isn't dead (yet)

While Luckey's comments spark interest, stating that "this is a good thing for the long-term health of the industry, especially the ongoing incentives," other recent cancelations doesn't bode well for VR systems.

Along with a Batman: Arkham Shadows sequel apparently being canceled due to the layoffs, A Harry Potter VR game has also reportedly been cut, according to YouTuber Gamertag VR. This was set to be developed by Skydance Games, the studio behind Skydance’s Behemoth, and it was said to be a Quest exclusive.

These are popular IPs, with the success of Hogwarts Legacy standing as a fine example. Not having these VR titles in the works isn't ideal, as it would have been expected to prove popular with Quest owners, and possibly see more consumers flock to the platform.

For now, it's hard to say what Meta's strategy is for VR As of December, the company's Reality Labs division lost more than $77 billion since 2020, as The Wall Street Journal reports. Perhaps a shift in focus was needed, but it still doesn't result in an optimistic outlook for the state of VR.

Meta invested heavily in VR gaming, along with how its Quest 3 and Quest 3S could be used for productivity and entertainment (such as its Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11 PCs). With this in mind, as Road to VR fittingly points out, if a company like Sony or Nintendo started closing its first-party gaming studios, it would rub consumers using the platform the wrong way.

In any case, the state of VR is set to change in a big way, and while we at least have Valve's Steam Frame to look forward to, the future of Meta Quest VR feels up in the air.

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One of my nightly rituals is to binge my way through shows or movies while in bed, whether that be on my phone, laptop or TV. But in VR? Well, the Meta Quest 3 didn't offer that chance for a long time.

With Meta pushing streaming shows on its VR headset via the Horizon TV hub, it makes sense for the Quest 3 and Quest 3S to be the go-to device that owners reach for to get a personalized cinematic experience when watching the most binge-worthy shows on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and the rest.

But it doesn't quite have the same appeal of kicking back on a couch or bed while watching many of the Golden Globes 2026 winners on one of the best TVs. I mean, sitting upright with a chunky VR headset for an hour or two isn't exactly comfortable (and it kind of gets in the way of the all-important popcorn and drinks).

How about lying flat with your head on a pillow for supreme comfort, though? Point a projector at the ceiling, and you can do just that. But in VR, it would make for the ultimate viewing experience. Originally, the Quest 3 and Quest 3S weren't able to do this due to restrictions, forcing you to watch shows head-on. But a simple feature broke those shackles.

If you're looking for a new way to use your VR headset and adore movie marathons or binging your way through series in bed, I've tried the aptly named Lying Down Mode on the Quest 3, and it works a treat for watching the latest shows and using VR apps.

Bingeable comfort

While Lying Down Mode on Meta Quest headsets isn't anything new (it arrived in 2025), it's an underrated feature that can finally give you the freedom to view media or try out VR apps the way you want.

The Quest 3 and 3S are designed for movement, abiding by the laws of gravity so you don't feel disoriented. By that, I mean the orientation of the VR headsets is restricted to always facing forward. Even when you hold the Meta button to reset your view while looking up or facing down, the headset will always target a forward-first direction.

With Lying Down Mode enabled, though, you can finally fix the orientation to where you want. As a fine example, when resetting the view while lying in bed facing the ceiling, the Quest 3 will now think the ceiling is "forward," and the head of my bed is "up."

It's an extremely simple change, but it's one I've now used to satisfy my binge fix before hitting the sack. I recently tuned into "Tron: Ares" using the Quest 3, and it was pure joy seeing all the red Light Ribbons tear their way through the city on a massive virtual screen — all while my head lay in comfort.

Sure, there isn't the same level of detail as on an OLED TV like the Samsung S90D in my room, but having a personal theatre on my face (and not to disturb my partner sleeping with flashing lights) is a real benefit. No one's disturbed, and I'm happily catching up with shows.

It also helps that I've attached the Kiwi Design K4 Duo heatstrap that adds up to three hours of battery to the Quest, and it also offers immersive audio with 40mm drivers for clear, surround sound. It just builds on to that cinematic effect.

With Lying Down Mode enabled, it's just another way of getting full use out of your Quest 3 or Quest 3S, and is well worth it for anyone after a comfy way to check out the latest series, movies or videos in your own virtual cinema. And if you haven't tried it yourself, it's incredibly easy to enable.

How to enable Lying Down Mode on Meta Quest

If you're looking to give Lying Down Mode a try, it's extremely simply to enable on your Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S. It's still classed as an experimental feature, but it works just as intended.

Follow the instructions below so you can get watching while staying comfy.

There you have it. Now, you'll be able to lie down, look up at the ceiling while in bed (or anywhere else) and hold the Meta button on the right Touch Plus controller to reset your view and carry on without any problems.

It's just one of the many ways to fully utilize what the Meta's latest VR headsets have to offer, along with these other five apps to try first on your Quest 3. Looking to try it yourself or aren't a fan? Let us know your thoughts!

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Despite the release of a new M5 version this past fall, Apple's Vision Pro headset may be done less than two years after its debut. Reportedly, Apple had ended support for the device's production, possibly suggesting the end of the mixed reality headset.

According to Weibo user Fixed Focus Digital (translated), Apple has "essentially suspended support" for the Vision Pro's production. The leaker added that it leaves the "future of the next generation uncertain."

It should be noted that this suspension of production may not mean the end of the Vision Pro as an Apple product, but it could signal a shift toward a second generation.

Downshifting

This claim comes shortly after a report earlier in the month that Apple had scaled back manufacturing and marketing for the Vision Pro. Apple allegedly cut its Vision Pro marketing budget by as much as 95%.

At the time, it suggested that sales of the Vision Pro remained underwhelming.

When the headset debuted in 2024, an introductory video, "Hello Apple Vision Pro," was on the company's YouTube channel. It has since been removed. We believe the promised Apple Intelligence features shown in the video are still missing, so the company dropped the clip.

With a launch price of $3,499, it seems even the Apple name couldn't salvage the headset's reputation. Plus, the economy has worsened throughout 2025 between President Trump's tariffs and rising prices across the board.

What's next?

Throughout 2025, rumors swirled that an Apple Vision Pro 2 was coming with new chips, a lighter weight, and potentially a price cut. It seems that version may have been replaced by the M5 version released in October, which was more of an iterative upgrade with the new chipset.

At one point, Apple was reportedly developing a "Vision Air" headset that would be much lighter and thinner, serving as more of an entry-level headset. That device wasn't expected to launch until 2027, though it was supposed to cost much less.

However, that rumor died on the vine as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed that Apple dropped those plans in favor of smart glasses in the vein of Meta's Ray-Ban offerings.

Apple's Tim Cook has long been a proponent of Apple Glasses, with the latest rumors suggesting a pair of spectacles will debut in 2027.

This year should be huge for smart glasses, with the potential launches of the rumored Samsung smart glasses, Google's Xreal Project Aura specs, and a slew of other models.

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There's been a lull in the VR space. Since the release of the Meta Quest 3, along with the more affordable Quest 3S, there hasn't been much in the way of headsets to expand the scope of virtual reality. Well, Valve changed this with the announcement of the Steam Frame.

Kicking off a new era of hardware devices from Valve, along with the Steam Machine and new Steam Controller, the upcoming VR headset is gearing up to be the virtual reality device to grab for PC VR gaming. It's not like it has much competition, with the latest HTC Vive Focus Vision arriving back in 2024 and Meta pausing plans for third-party VR headsets from Asus and Lenovo.

In any case, that gives the Steam Frame plenty of time to shine. Not only is it a bonafide "PC," according to Valve, but it's also made for VR and non-VR gaming. It may not be the mixed-reality headset some were expecting (no full color passthrough cameras here), but with a huge backlog of VR and non-VR PC games via SteamOS it can delve into, the gaming giant's priorities have become clear.

This is a VR headset made for PC gaming, through and through, and Valve is delivering a host of unique features I can't wait to try out. If these tools give me the best experience while playing the mythical Half-Life 3 (if it ever comes out), then the Steam Frame will have achieved its goals.

Optimized for your eyes

One of the most premium features to come out of headsets like the Apple Vision Pro and Samsung Galaxy XR headset is eye tracking. Lo and behold, the Steam Frame will arrive with two interior cameras just for that — but for something more than just navigation or selecting apps.

A unique feature Valve is introducing with the Steam Frame is Foveated Streaming. This feature will track your eyes to bring the best image quality to where you're looking. It's said to bring "over a 10x improvement" in details, and works for all games in Steam.

Essentially, it uses eye-tracking data to boost the quality of pixels of exactly where you're looking, with everything else in your peripheral vision at a lower quality. Not that you would notice, as this would be blurry, anyway. Not only will this give you the best visual quality, but it also reduces bandwidth needs for smoother, less resource-heavy gameplay.

It's a genius move from Valve, one that will take full advantage of the 2160 x 2160 pancake lenses with up to a 144Hz refresh rate, especially for streaming. That should beat the quality of its standalone headset competitor, the Quest 3, with its 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye resolution.

Since Meta's headset can already offer up some truly stunning VR games, I imagine the Steam Frame will push the bar even further in visual quality thanks to this feature. But speaking of streaming...

Seamless streaming

Initially, I wasn't too impressed with Valve opting for a last-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip over the latest and greatest processors on offer. It's a standalone headset, after all, but that wasn't much of an issue when I saw that it was made for a "high quality streaming-first experience."

Valve includes a 6GHz wireless adapter with the VR headset, and it aims to bridge the gap between wireless, standalone VR gaming and powerful PC VR gaming. How so? Through a simple dongle that connects the Steam Frame to a PC.

The adapter uses a dual-radio system that has one dedicated to streaming the audio and visuals, and the other purely for Wi-Fi. It lightens the load on bandwidth, and it should be a wildly significant improvement for wireless PC VR gameplay and 2D Steam titles, especially over Meta's Air Link.

For those with one of the best gaming laptops or best gaming PCs, it will turn the Steam Frame into a mighty VR headset — no wires needed. I mean, imagine having an RTX 50-series GPU while playing a VR title like Half-Life: Alyx or a non-VR game such as Cyberpunk 2077, right on your face.

Now, I've heard that the Steam Frame doesn't support stereoscopic 3D rendering, meaning we won't see 2D games or content with a three-dimensional effect like the Quest or Vision Pro headsets. It would make gameplay that much more immersive, but at the very least, the gaming giant states that it's "on the list."

So, better visuals and PC-powered gameplay via wireless streaming, but how easy will it be to play VR and non-VR games on the fly? Valve found a solution with its controllers.

Controllers for everything

Those Steam Frame VR controllers sure look familiar... some inspiration from the Meta Quest 3's Touch Plus controllers, perhaps? No complaints here, but there's a key difference that gives Valve's new VR controllers an edge.

The controllers feature a full range of VR-focused tech, including 6DoF (degrees of freedom) tracking, haptic feedback, capacitive finger tracking and sensing on all input surfaces and dual-stage grip buttons, too. Plus, they run on AA batteries to offer up 40 hours of gameplay, as Valve claims.

But put those two controllers together, and you'll find that these look more like a traditional gamepad split in two. That's for good reason, as the VR controllers will also work on Steam's entire library of non-VR games.

You'll get your typical D-pad, triggers, bumpers, ABXY buttons and thumbsticks as with the best gaming PC controllers, just with VR optimizations. So, 6DoF (degrees of freedom) tracking, haptic feedback, capacitive finger tracking and sensing on all input surfaces and dual-stage grip buttons, too.

What may be the best addition of all is the full-size magnetic TMR thumbsticks (Tunnel Magnetoresistance), which offer up even more precise levels of accuracy than what Hall Effect is capable of.

I'm sure the upcoming Steam Controller will be a better fit for playing PC games on the Steam Frame for a more precise, traditional feel (there will even be a virtual Steam Controller that shows up in the headset's VR space if you grab one), but a full-blown set of controllers for both VR and PC gaming? I mean, the split Joy-Cons work for the ever-popular Nintendo Switch 2, so why not for Valve's VR headset?

Of course, it's only a matter of time until we see all of this in action once Valve launches its Steam Frame. But already, it's looking to have the features to top our list of the best VR headsets. Fingers crossed the price isn't too high...

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Since the iPod, Apple seems to have the Midas touch with new products. From the iPhone to the iPad to its own chips, Apple has released all kinds of devices that have achieved overwhelming popularity. However, one that hasn't caught on as quickly as the company might have hoped is the Vision Pro. Sure, Apple has released upgraded models and kept it alive, but it's seen only mixed success.

Now, a new report from the Financial Times says Apple has scaled back manufacturing and marketing for its Vision Pro headset throughout 2025, indicating that sales aren't on fire as the company likely hoped. Based on the report, Apple cut its Vision Pro marketing budget by as much as 95%.

Apple Vision Pro — what went wrong?

Apple hasn't officially revealed sales figures from the Vision Pro. The company also declined to comment on this report to the Financial Times, which only adds fuel to the fire.

The Vision Pro is a massive financial ask for consumers at $3,499. With the economy the way it is, a purchase like that, which most would consider unnecessary, doesn't make much sense.

That leaves Apple with a much smaller potential buyer pool of only the most die-hard fans and wealthier consumers who can drop that much money without it being a big issue.

With factors like these, IDC expects Apple to ship around 45,000 new Vision Pro units in the last quarter of 2025. Compared with Apple's other devices, this is just a drop in the bucket and not enough hardware to move the needle.

While we liked Apple Vision Pro M5 in our review, we weren't completely sold on it. Even with the improved design and power improvements, many have cited the device as being heavy and uncomfortable. Relatively low battery life has also held it back for many. Other factors like the same-old Siri and a lack of top apps have further kept the review scores down.

The deck certainly seems stacked against Apple's headset, with Meta's virtual reality headsets dominating the market at a lower price. Even Zuckerberg is reducing marketing spend, though, as demand for VR headsets fell by 14% year on year.

Apple may not be ready to give up on the Vision Pro yet, but it's clear the company is shifting priorities as consumers show more interest in the best smart glasses than mixed reality headsets. For Apple's sake, the latest rumors suggest the company is planning to launch its own AI-powered glasses toward the end of 2026, putting it more in line with consumer demands.

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So, if you've just got yourself a Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S, you may be asking yourself, "what now?" Well, aside from playing the best VR games in the market, you'll find that these standalone VR headsets can do more than just gaming.

I've been discovering more about the latest Meta Quest VR headsets in the hundreds of hours I've put into these systems, and as it turns out, they go beyond just letting you become The Dark Knight in Batman: Arkham Shadows or exploring vast worlds in Asgard's Wrath 2. If you're looking for a way to watch your favorite shows while cooking up a storm in the kitchen or learn how to draw, you have just the device.

The Quest 3 and Quest 3S have a lot to offer, and if you're hoping to make the most of your all-new headset, then it's worth getting familiar with a few essential features before you think about putting them aside to collect dust. These are among the best VR headsets you can get for good reason, so whether you've got a creative touch or are looking for a whole new way to kick back, here's the top apps to try first on your Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S.

Turn your PC into a productivity machine

The Quest Pro had big promises for the working person, but it didn't work out the way Meta wanted it to. Instead, the company released Microsoft's Mixed Reality Link app that allows Meta Quest VR headsets to connect to a Windows 11 PC, and it's become an enticing upgrade to any PC setup.

With this app, you're getting the best parts of the Apple Vision Pro without paying a fortune. By that, I mean up to three massive virtual screens that act as easily adjustable, productivity displays that sync seamlessly with your Windows 11 PC.

Despite having a full-blown, gigantic 32:9 ultrawide panel that's curved around you for ultimate immersion (one that could have easily measured over 50 inches right in front of my eyes), the first thing I noticed was the lack of lag. Latency felt virtually seamless even with a wireless connection; I moved my cursor and it reacted immediately on my headset's virtual monitor.

Quite honestly, this caught me off guard, as I thought, "wait, I can actually really use this." Not to say that I went in thinking the feature would be a dud, but I didn't think I would want to use it on a regular basis.

Using the Quest's Touch plus controller or just my hands via hand-tracking (which can be sketchy at times), I was able to move the virtual display wherever I wanted: right up to my face, far off in the distance, to the side, over my head; anywhere.

If the best monitors are past your budget, and you're after a multi-monitor setup for less, then just connect your Meta Quest to your Windows 11 PC, and you'll be off to the productivity races.

Stream shows with a cinematic big screen

Ever since its release, the Meta Quest 3 has had a long history of trying to be the next-gen streaming platform to replace TVs. It didn't reach those heights, nor does it seem that it ever will (watching shows with family or a pal is hard to beat), but the smart TV-life Meta Horizon TV makes streaming your favorite series or movies on the fly a treat.

There are stilla few pain points, as when I binge-watched shows using Meta's Horizon TV hub on Quest 3, it was more of an "Amazon Prime Video hub" more than anything else. But now, Disney+ has released its own app on the system (again), expanding the number of shows you can watch with the cinema treatment right before your very eyes.

Gone are the days of the age-old Netflix app only offering 480p resolution; Meta Quest VR headsets now make for a commendable TV streaming experience. Think watching a massive screen while lying on the couch, or chopping up some vegetables while checking out the top 10 movies on Prime Video and more.

The latest Quest headsets promise more to come down the line, including immersive, 3D movies like "Avatar: Fire and Ash" or getting spooked by "The Black Phone" and "M3GAN," which are both exclusive special-effect movies already available to those in the U.S.

There's still some work to be done for Horizon TV, but binge-watchers after an all-new way to watch their favorite shows ("Landman" and "Supernatural" are my go-to picks right now), then get on board with Horizon TV on your Meta Quest 3 or 3S. It's already pre-installed on your device, so get watching!

Boost your VR performance

Think the Quest 3 or Quest 3S has more to show off? Well, you'd be right, but Meta tends to lock the performance of games and apps to make better use of the system's battery life. However, if you're using a wired connection to keep your headset powered up and want to push your device to its limits, then there's a $12 Meta Quest app you need to try.

With Quest Game Optimizer (QGO), an app launcher that quite literally unlocks the potential of Meta Quest headsets, you can expect boosted performance, resolution and frame rates in virtually any VR game on the Meta store, and even launch and video record in 4K at 60 FPS.

Now, this one can be a hassle to install. You can use a PC and SideQuest (an Android sideloader) or through the Meta Quest Developer Hub with a PC, and both will have you setting up Developer Mode on your VR headset. That said, once done, you can customize the performance of games to extend your Quest 3 or 3S' battery life, boost refresh rates for smoother gameplay and even expect superior visual quality in titles.

That means resolution going up to 4096 pixels per eye, a 120Hz refresh rate and "Ultra" performance in the Quest 3's CPU and GPU. Now, I have found that it doesn't make a massive difference in some titles, but when playing the likes of Walkabout Mini Golf or Metro Awakening, details and frame rates were as clear and smooth as ever.

If you've got the patience to download and install it all, and want to see what your Meta Quest 3 has to offer when pushed to its limits, then give QGO a try.

Learn to draw a masterpiece

When I say that I am truly atrocious at drawing, I mean it. But developer Lead Head thought of a creative way to let people learn how to refine their (un)artistic expression using a VR headset, and that's through Pencil - Learn to Draw.

This Meta Quest VR app taught me how to draw, and very well at that. Using the device's mixed reality capabilities and full color pass-through tech, the Pencil app will guide you through a host of different drawing genres and styles so you can finally create the cartoon or realistic object or being you've longed for. Grab a pencil and a sheet of paper (and your VR headset, of course), and you're all set to get learning.

Now that the app is out of early access, you'll get a wide breadth of ways to learn, from beginner to advanced artist. From outlining simple sketches to knowing how to use directional shading, blending and even erasing successfully, there's a ton here to spark your creative flow. heck, I even learned how to draw a human eye.

It's been an absolute blast creating everything from cartoons to still-life objects, and even realistic facial features. For me to say that I drew a human eye, with clear outlines, shading, reflections and tear duct included, is a satisfying accomplishment.

Work up a virtual (and real) sweat

I know all too well the feeling of skipping a training day during those winter months. It's miserable outside, it's way too dark and there's no motivation to get your body moving. But it can feel unsatisfying to give up and do nothing, and that's when the Quest 3 and 3S can help as a fitness guide instead.

There are several apps on the Quest 3 VR headsets that can give you a sweat-worthy workout, including Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, Thrill of the Fight and more. But for targeted fitness classes brought straight to your space, you'll want to try out FitXR or Supernatural: Unreal Fitness.

From rigorous boxing to unrelenting squats, you'd be surprised how much of a burn you'll feel after a session in one of these workout-focused apps. So much so, in fact, that I decided to make FitXR my main way to work out, and was burning up to 500 calories per 40-minute session each time.

Of course, it all depends on you how much of a sweat you want to build up, as at the end of the day, there's no one telling you not to just flick a wrist instead of doing a full punch. However, there's plenty in these apps to keep you motivated, including scoreboards and virtual instructors that bring the hype (the pumped-up music is a nice touch, too).

It's important to note that many of the exercises on offer are mainly for your upper body and are focused on cardio, as we've tested when using FitXR for two weeks. In any case, if you've been looking for an entertaining way to stay fit, the virtual reality method via the Quest 3 and Quest 3S offers up a satisfying burn.

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Over the years, Quest VR headsets have accumulated a wide collection of games. But it's with the Meta Quest 3 where VR gaming really started to heat up for the system, and 2025 only dished out more quality spice for its ever-growing list of titles.

And hallelujah to that. We've seen stand-out hits like the must-play Batman: Arkham Shadow and the wonder that is Asgard's Wrath 2 (I'm still playing it to this day), but what about other knockouts? I thought this year would have me starved for content. That didn't turn out to be the case.

As it so happens, 2025 has been a stellar year for VR gaming, with blockbusters like Marvel's Deadpool VR and sleeper hits such as Ghost Town taking up most of my time when putting on my headset. If you thought your Quest 3 or Quest 3S had nothing more to offer, think again. Below, you'll find five of the best VR games I've played this year — ones that will stand out proudly in anyone's library.

Marvel's Deadpool VR

Let's kick it off with the biggest release on Quest this year, and it didn't disappoint. Remember that seemingly forgotten 2013 Deadpool game from developer High Moon Studios? Despite its janky combat, it absolutely nailed what a game all about the Merc with a Mouth should be. In Marvel's Deadpool VR, developer Twisted Pixel Games takes that and runs with it — and the gameplay slaps.

Playing as the foul-mouthed anti-hero who refuses to die, you're tasked with capturing a satisfying collection of villains from the Marvel universe to play in Mojo's twisted tournament. Oh, and to become an interdimensional streaming star. It's an exciting setup that leads to plenty of swords, guns and mayhem, along with spitfire, fourth-wall-breaking gags.

If you've been a fan since the comics or movies, and especially the most recent "Deadpool & Wolverine," then you know exactly what you're in for. But aside from the humor, Deadpool VR itself is an action-packed thrill ride filled with a strong collection of weapons, satisfying sword-and-gunplay, smooth movement and a healthy dose of collectibles and easter eggs to discover.

It also offers a ton of replayability, with different multiverse Deadpools. Most of all, it's just pure fun to be a forever-regenerating, wise-cracking fool.

Reach

Who knew the developers behind the VR version of PowerWash Simulator would deliver an intense, action-fueled blockbuster adventure with some of the best VR mechanics around today? Okay, nDreams has plenty of other titles under its belt (like Synapse and Fracked), but none quite like Reach.

From the inventive combat that mixes fantasy with realistic gunplay to the truly immersive platforming that allows you to jump, grapple and slide your way around the well-detailed environment, Reach is a fine example of how far VR gaming has come. Now, it's not for the squeamish. That said, if you're used to being in virtual reality, then this will bring the freedom you've been after.

Along with all the fights against daunting mech-like statues and high-scale traversing, there are a few well-designed puzzles in here, too. It's a little bit of everything, and seeing a VR title of this scale that's not attached to an existing IP is refreshing. No, its story won't blow your socks off, but it's engaging enough to find yourself intrigued to stop an invasion from a mystical underground world coming to the surface.

Reach is one of the bigger hits of 2025, and a worthy title that shows the heights your VR headset can reach. I've heard some problems when it comes to connecting it to PC VR, but on Quest, it's a blast.

Ghost Town

Look, the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S aren't exactly powerhouse systems, but just like the jaw-dropping visuals of Red Matter, developer Fireproof Games clearly knows how to make a VR game look stunning. Case in point: Ghost Town.

In this puzzle-horror narrative adventure from the creators of The Room (that should already give you a good indication of the finely crafted puzzles you can expect), expect to be entranced in the photo-realistic environments the game presents, from the streets and decor of 1980's London to an isolated Scottish island with a haunting atmosphere.

Blending story and puzzles in a well-paced mystery, it's more "spooky exploration" rather than jump scares, but that doesn't take away from the intriguing, paranormal case you have to solve. Being a detective of all things freaky, Editch must find out what happened to her suddenly missing brother, taking you down a rabbit hole of clues to find and spirits to talk to.

It isn't very long (around six hours for me), but for the enthralling mystery it offers, it's one you'll want to delve into.

Deadly Delivery

Quest actually has a fine lineup of multiplayer VR games, but it's fair to say they don't quite reach the level of the recent blow-up of fun and hilarious titles like Lethal Company and R.E.P.O. Or so I thought, as Deadly Delivery scratches that itch.

For those with a bunch of pals looking for hysterical scares and the sort of chaotic fun you'd only find in a game where you play as a delivery goblin just trying to make a quick buck, Deadly Delivery is a must. The task is simple: deliver packages. The problem is, the residents reside in pitch-black tunnels where a whole host of freaky monsters and hidden traps lurk. But hey, people need their goods.

The procedurally generated tunnels make it both fantastic and terrifying to head back into after each run, and the stuff-of-nightmares creatures will have you and your teammates screaming as you try to get away from them. There are plenty of curveballs that will keep you on your feet, and once you discover that it may be worth leaving a friend behind as prey... well, it just makes it that much funnier.

Deadly Delivery will keep you coming back for more, even if you are playing with random users (I'd recommend watching your back!).

Cave Crave

I'm not sure how anyone goes cave diving (you brave souls), but in VR, I can just about stomach it. Cave Crave offers the adrenaline-fueled thrill of cave exploration without the danger, thankfully, and it sheds insightful light on what people go through and the equipment needed to go spelunking.

From climbing up and down cramped spaces with tools to create handholds and carve a way through to marking your way through a selection of caves, along with finding secrets along the way, it becomes exciting to conquer the underground — even if it's daunting to throw a flare and see just how deep a cave goes.

Many are fictional caves — one even requires you to venture over icy walls using ice axes — but developer 3R Games takes it further by adding the very-real Nutty Putty, which even has a guided tour from renowned cave explorer Brandon Kowallis. It makes the immersion even more realistic, and it's fascinating to see just what the cave is like without, you know, actually being in danger.

Movement and traversal are great, even though graphics aren't the sharpest around. Either way, the horror of Cave Crave doesn't come from any jump scares or anything of the like; it's simply the realism of exploring a cave. And quite frankly, it's a thrill.

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After years of keeping it under wraps, Valve finally unveiled the Steam Frame. Not only has it easily become my most anticipated VR headset of 2026 (I mean, there isn't much competition... for now), but I also foresee it being the main way I play VR games and non-VR PC games.

There's a lot going for this standalone headset: Valve introduced Foveated Streaming that enhances image details to where your eyes are looking, there's a 6GHz wireless adapter for uninterrupted, high-quality PC gaming, it brings pancake lenses featuring 2160 x 2160 panels with up to a 144Hz refresh rate and the controllers are essentially a normal gamepad split in two.

That's just to name a few of its many welcome features. The Steam Machine and new Steam Controller impress, but as someone who makes the most of the Meta Quest 3, I have high hopes that the Steam Frame will introduce a new era of VR and PC gaming — Valve does call it a "PC," after all.

But there's one element that's been nagging me after pitting the Steam Frame and Quest 3 against each other. There I was, scrolling through Valve's list of specs until I came across its processor, and in a very Jack Skellington-like fashion, I exclaimed, "what's this?"

Valve decided to use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor to power its Steam Frame, despite the chip launching in 2023. It's not the latest, nor has it been used for XR devices. Surely, there was room for an upgrade. So, just how powerful will it be to play demanding VR and non-VR titles? And will it be able to keep up with the best VR headsets?

Behind the times?

Based on a 4nm process and using ARM64 architecture, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Steam Frame is the very same chip that powers the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and OnePlus 12. In case you missed it, we should soon see the Galaxy S26 equipped with the next-gen might of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

That's just around the corner, and Qualcomm has even dubbed it the "world's fastest mobile system on chip." That's not just marketing hype; we've benchmarked the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 ahead of its official launch on smartphones, and it beats the likes of the A19 Pro found in the iPhone 17 Pro Max in performance and graphics.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like a great fit for a next-gen VR headset that's also releasing in 2026. But perhaps there are a few reasons the Steam Frame was given the Gen 3 processor over the latest and greatest. One could be that it wasn't geared to deliver the performance of a Gen 5 chipset, and it just wasn't the right timing.

Valve has been working on the Steam Frame even before its first VR headset, the Valve Index, was released in 2019, as noted by Road to VR. It's clearly been long in development, and in those six years, the company may have settled on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and worked around the chip.

Now, while it would of course be great to see one of the most powerful mobile chips on the market make its way onto the Steam Frame to deliver cutting-edge performance, I wouldn't want to knock the VR headset so soon. One perk, at least, is that a past-gen processor should take the price down a peg or two, but there's more to it.

Unexpected power

So, if not the latest chip Qualcomm has to offer, then why not an XR-focused chip? Well, this is where Valve will have made the better choice.

Valve wanted to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 over usual XR chips, like the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 in the Quest 3 or the XR2+ Gen 2 in the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, to prioritize gaming performance thanks to its higher CPU frequency, according to SteamDB.

Plus, it will support Valve's Proton translation layers and Fex emulation to allow Windows PC games on Arm devices (a.k.a. the Steam Frame), which is a massive leap forward in letting PC games be played on, well, anything. However, for a standalone VR headset, using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will see performance benefits.

It's tricky to benchmark the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chips, but we know it's based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Plus, the XR2+ Gen 2 processor offers 15% higher GPU and 20% higher CPU max frequency for XR headsets, but is only a minimal bump to support higher display resolutions for spatial computing.

With this in mind, we can see the performance gains based on our benchmarks in smartphones, like the OnePlus 12 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and the Xiaomi 13 with a Gen 2 processor. Samsung's Snapdragon chips are made for Galaxy phones, so I've left these out.

As you can see, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vastly outperforms its previous-gen sibling, especially when it comes to graphics. That said, you can see how well the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performs, and while we didn't get the 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited test for it, we did see it perform incredibly in the much harder Wild Life Extreme Unlimited benchmark, which runs at 4K.

In any case, the main takeaway from all this is that, yes, Valve's Steam Frame will perform better than the Meta Quest 3. Well, that's hardly a surprise, seeing as the Frame comes with double the RAM at 16GB and storage at 1TB, too. But there's another interesting point.

I have to give credit to Reddit user wwbulk, showing the differences between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and its Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 counterpart. The 8 Gen 2 comes with a CPU frequency of 3.2GHz and a GPU frequency of 680MHz, while the latter sports a CPU-heavy frequency of 2.05GHz and a GPU-heavy frequency of 599MHz.

So, not only is the XR2 Gen 2 in the Quest 3 not up to par with the 8 Gen 2, but it also shows that it will be far behind the 8 Gen 3 in the Steam Frame. Of course, we'll have to see this performance in real time, but either way, when there's seamless, wireless streaming straight from the power of a PC, this standalone VR headset's power reaches new heights.

The performance of a PC, too

It took some time, but the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S offer up PC VR gaming wirelessly via Air Link. It's improved over the years, but you'll need a strong 5GHz Wi-Fi network connection (and even then, it's a tad spotty), or simply use a USB-C 3.2 wired connection for low latency. At the very least, it works well when streaming Xbox Cloud Gaming (with fast internet).

A strong start, but the Steam Frame? It's essentially made for wireless streaming to a gaming PC. Using the 6GHz wireless adapter that comes in the box, you can pop it into your rig and start playing VR and non-VR games with a high-quality streaming experience.

Whether you've got yourself one of the best gaming laptops or best gaming PCs, you can get the power of that beamed straight to your face — wirelessly. Think playing the likes of Half-Life: Alyx with the power of an RTX 50-series GPU, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset becomes an afterthought. (Perhaps "Stream Frame" may be a more fitting name? Probably not.)

Valve is making sure the Steam Frame has the finest streaming connection, using a dual-radio system that has one dedicated to streaming the audio and visuals, and the other purely for Wi-Fi. It lightens the load on bandwidth, and it should make wireless PC VR gameplay and 2D Steam titles a heck of a lot better to play on the VR headset.

Yes, the Steam Frame will work for standalone games, too, as there will even be a Steam Frame Verified program for titles, just like the Steam Deck. That will put its processor to work, but if it's not enough power, just plug in the wireless adapter and you'll be off to the virtual races.

Regardless of the Steam Frame not having the latest Snapdragon chip Qualcomm has to offer mobile devices, it will still have more than enough power to play the best VR games around. And even if it doesn't, that wireless adapter should solve the problem. My high hopes still remain for Valve's VR PC for your face, and it's only a matter of time until we see the performance this headset brings to the table.

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• I was stoked for the Steam Machine — but this one thing could be a deal-breaker
• I binge-watched shows using Meta's Horizon TV hub on Quest 3 — the good, the bad and the immersive
• I wore the most advanced smart glasses for two months — the tech is futuristic, but the look is not

Meta has put a large focus on smart glasses this year, with the release of its Meta Ray-Ban Display and Ray-Ban Meta (gen 2) glasses, leaving its rumored Meta Quest 4 on the sidelines. But now, it's reportedly finally in the works.

Meta is now working on a next-gen Quest VR headset made for immersive gaming, as seen in leaked memos via Business Insider. According to the head of Metaverse Gabriel Aul and the head of Horizon OS Ryan Cairns, the next Quest will be a "large upgrade" compared to the Quest 3, and it will "significantly improve unit economics."

Previous leaks indicated the Quest 4 would be delayed until 2027, with the two planned prototype headsets, codenamed "Pismo Low" (similar to the Quest 3S) and "Pismo High" (a high-end successor to the Quest 3), being canceled. Now, Meta looks to be back on track with its next-gen VR headset.

While there's no word on when the Quest 4 will officially release, it's still expected to at least be revealed sometime in 2027 or 2028. This is due to another headset that Meta is working on: the rumored "Phoenix" mixed reality headset with a puck.

Meta's ultralight headset gets delayed

Earlier this year, Meta was tipped to be shifting gears by pushing back work on the Quest 4 and focusing on a lightweight mixed-reality device that runs Horizon OS for 2026, which has been codenamed "Puffin" and "Phoenix."

Now, the schedule is changing yet again, as the tech giant is reportedly delaying this ultralight headset to the first half of 2027, as noted by VP of Reality Labs Foundation Maher Saba.

"Many teams in RL (Reality Labs) will need to adjust their plans and timelines," Saba said. "Extending timelines is not an opportunity for us to add more features or take on additional work."

What's more, Meta is looking to release a wearable device codenamed "Malibu 2" in 2026, although little is known about what this device will deliver.

The "Phoenix" headset is expected to come with the previously rumored tethered puck for the battery (as with the Apple Vision Pro) and to keep the headset lighter, and will resemble VR goggles rather than a headset. It's expected to have less of a focus on gaming and be more for virtual screens. So, not unlike the best AR glasses.

As Aul and Cairns state in the memos, the delay will give the lightweight mixed reality device "a lot more breathing room to get the details right" to deliver a "fully polished" headset.

Of course, with Meta continuing to shift its plans, we'll have to wait and see if the company sticks with this roadmap. In any case, while Meta is still going full throttle for its lineup of mixed-reality devices to compete with others, including the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, it's still making time for its upcoming next-gen Quest 4 headset. Hopefully, we'll see it sooner rather than later.

More from Tom's Guide

• I binge-watched shows using Meta's Horizon TV hub on Quest 3 — the good, the bad and the immersive
• Valve Steam Frame vs Meta Quest 3: Here's how the VR headsets compare
• The great CPU war of 2026 is already erupting — Intel Panther Lake vs. Snapdragon X2 Elite vs. AMD Gorgon Point

Google posted a new edition of its Android Show today (Dec. 8) with a special focus on its Android XR platform. The show covered a variety of announcements, including confirmation that the Xreal Project Aura smart glasses will be launching in 2026.

However, the biggest news in our minds was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment that lasts 17 seconds in the 31-minute video.

At around the 11:50 minute mark of the above video, Austin Lee, VP of XR UG Group at Samsung, and Katherine Erdman, a Google XR product manager, gave a "sneak peek" of system-level autospatialization.

The feature basically takes all of your 2D content from games and images to YouTube videos and apps. It's a surprising announcement because it's essentially buried in this video and came out of nowhere.

However, we think this feature will be huge when it launches in 2026.

What does autospatialization do?

As mentioned, this was just a sneak peek of the feature, and Erdman says the feature won't launch for XR devices until "next year."

What we can see from the video is that you can tap a button in an app's settings menu to turn what you're looking at from 2D to 3D.

"You can turn regular 2D content into 3D in real time," Lee stated. He goes on to ask viewers to imagine what it would be like if every game, YouTube video, and even the web were immersive.

Immersion and 3D content are one of the selling points of VR and XR headsets. Hopefully, we'll learn more about how autospatialization will work in Android XR soon.

What else Google announced

A significant chunk of the video is meant for developers creating apps and content for the Android XR platform.

However, there are some teases. We got one of our first looks at the Xreal Project Aura in action. Briefly, Google showed off hand gestures for controlling menus and opening apps on the virtual display. Aura will run on a puck that also acts as a trackpad.

It's more than we've seen about the upcoming spatial glasses, but we finally have a clearer idea of how Project Aura might work when it launches next year.

They also showcased a partnership with the fashion brand Gentle Monster for high-end AI smart glasses. Other announced or teased features hint at glasses similar to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Tom's Guide Global Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer just went hands-on with the Google Android XR glasses, calling them Google Glass done right.

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• I wore the Even Realities G2 smart glasses for a week, and it's the first pair of AR glasses I'd actually buy
• Apple Glasses: everything we know so far

Google just announced new Android XR upgrades coming for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset starting today — including a virtual display for your PC, creating a digital likeness for video calls and a travel mode for that first-class cinema experience in economy.

With these, we’re pretty much at parity with the Apple Vision Pro on the features that matter most to users. Pair that with the price difference ($3,500 for Vision Pro vs $1,799 for Galaxy XR) and suddenly Samsung's headset looks a lot better.

Of course, this is by design in a way, as Apple is reportedly “hellbent” on making smart glasses (Google is too with Samsung’s AI glasses and Project Aura). And as I’ve always said, the whole industry is moving towards packing that all-immersive XR experience into a small pair of specs.

While that’s going to take a while, these three new features are certainly going to enrich the experience you have in the Galaxy XR. We've gone hands-on with them, so let me take you through the details.

1. PC Connect

One of the most-loved features of Apple Vision Pro is the ability to project a virtual display from your Mac. And now, you’re getting that same experience on Galaxy XR with PC Connect.

Essentially, you can link your Windows PC to your headset and project the desktop in a window in front of you. You can even use it side-by-side with other native apps you have open on the Galaxy XR — meaning you could have a YouTube tutorial playing for a finicky Windows 11 feature, while working on it on your Windows PC.

You can even ask Gemini questions about the content you see on your Windows PC virtual display, and get visual guides as well.

Details are a little thin on the ground about how this is going to work (at the time of writing), but my guess is that it’ll use Windows 11 Mixed Reality Link like I tried on my Meta Quest 3. That would also mean ultra-wide support, but Google doesn’t expressly confirm that, so I’m setting up a quiet prayer circle for this.

2. Create your Likeness

Faster than you can say “hey, this looks like a Black Mirror episode,” lifelike avatars are coming to Galaxy XR. Named Likeness, you use your Android phone to scan your face, and then your virtual avatar can appear in video calls and Google Meets — matching your facial expressions and hand gestures in real-time.

Is this a little weird? Yes. When my fiancee FaceTimed me on her Apple Vision Pro, I was a little taken aback to say the least. But I can understand why companies are doing this — to try and increase the amount of time people spend wearing their headsets.

3. Travel Mode

Finally, a proper Travel Mode is coming to Galaxy XR. Google promises “a view that stays stable even when you’re in motion,” to “turn a cramped flight into a personal cinema or immersive workspace.”

That last bit kind of sums up why I love Travel Mode on my Quest 3 — basically, instead of having to subject yourself to the terrible seat back display and cramped surroundings of economy class, you can just whisk yourself away.

There's no specifics on how this works, but to take an educated guess, I’d say that some of the tracking is being turned off in Travel Mode to provide a more fixed picture here.

Wait, what about Meta Quest 3?

This is all well and good, but there’s just one small problem here — the Quest 3 does most of this already, while being over $1,000 cheaper than the Galaxy XR. Yes, there are differences in display quality, performance, accuracy of tracking and software. But does that really matter to you?

That’s what I found out when facing off the Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3. It’s good to have skin in the XR game and bring some great new features to the table, but when the competition undercuts you this deep, it becomes hard to sell the vision.

Does VR even matter anymore?

And then I came to the other question in my mind after thinking further. Google, Meta and Apple are all razor focused on making smart glasses — the thing people actually want. You can see as much, as reports show that while VR headset shipments fell 14% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, AR glasses grew 50% in that same time.

So outside of VR gaming, do headsets like this matter to the general public? In my mind, the answer is complicated, because these are great to use. I use my Quest 3 almost daily! But I can’t deny the vibe I’m getting that these are purely beta tests for the glasses-shaped main event coming in the near future.

More from Tom's Guide

• I binge-watched shows using Meta's Horizon TV hub on Quest 3 — the good, the bad and the immersive
• Confirmed: Steam Frame will lack this Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest feature at launch — Valve says it's 'on our list'
• I wore the Even Realities G2 smart glasses for a week, and it's the first pair of AR glasses I'd actually buy

Movies and TV shows are on everything. They can be found on your phone, your laptop, on the back of a plane seat and, of course, that screen in your living room. But they're also on the best VR headsets today, and Meta wants you to know it.

Meta continues to update its long-standing (and standalone) VR headsets, with the latest Connect 2025 delivering a handful of new features to its Quest 3 and Quest 3S. Any mention of a Quest 4? No, but one feature that stood out was one for all the binge-watchers: Horizon TV.

It's a dedicated app with a smart TV-like interface that acts as a central hub for all streaming content, whether it be for shows, movies, immersive experiences, sports events and more. No more opening a browser on your Quest to watch a show or accessing a streaming app individually — VR now has a TV app.

It takes all the best streaming services available on a Quest headset and compiles their content into an easy-to-navigate app, not unlike the interface you'd find on an Amazon Fire TV Stick. But this time, it's all in VR, and what does that mean? An immersive, big-screen experience right before your very eyes.

Finally, the VR headset is the smart TV I want it to be. Or, that's what I was thinking before diving into binge-watching my favorite shows and movies on, well, one streaming service. Does Horizon TV make the Quest 3 the big-screen TV killer? Not quite, as there are still some quirks to iron out. But for a new way to delve into big-time movies, shows and events with 3D special effects, Meta is onto something here.

A smart TV for VR (sort of)

Meta has had issues with streaming services over the years. There was once a Netflix VR app that let you watch the likes of "Stranger Things" or "Squid Game," but with its 480p standard resolution and lack of passthrough support, that was (thankfully) taken down in 2024.

Since then, the main way to stream any show (aside from the Amazon Prime Video app still going strong) was through the Quest browser. Sure, it still offered the ultra-large screen experience, but not exactly the wide-scale support or features we'd come to expect from a streaming service showing off what it can do in a virtual space.

The Horizon TV hub changes that. Now, it looks like Meta is putting effort into making its Quest 3 and Quest 3S a device not only for VR gaming and productivity, but for streaming, too.

I've been using the app to browse through shows and movies to watch, with Horizon TV recommending the latest films and classic flicks with different genre categories — just as a streaming hub or smart TV interface would do. It's a perk to be able to add different content to my personal watchlist, which is a tab that's easily accessible at the top of the menu.

But it isn't just movies and TV shows, as Horizon also includes tabs for sports events, music and immersive content. So, you could watch the Wimbledon finals with courtside seats, play tunes on Spotify and get the live concert experience with Doja Cat and Sabrina Carpenter headlining. That's the VR touch that no smart TV can deliver.

I've been having a grand time giving shows like "Landman" and "Supernatural" the massive-screen treatment, but notice anything in common with those shows? That's right, they're all on Prime Video, and for now, it should be called the "Prime TV" hub.

Missing content

When Meta announced its Horizon TV hub, it stated it would be bringing streaming services like Prime Video, Peacock, Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN. So far, only two of those are available — Peacock and Prime Video (Pluto TV, too). In fact, as of writing, I have no way to watch Disney Plus on the Quest 3, at least in the U.K.

It's no longer available to stream shows in the Quest browser or to download an app, and I'm not the only one with this problem. Along with Peacock being a streaming service primarily for the U.S., that only leaves me with Prime Video.

With this being the case, I only see recommendations for shows from Amazon's streaming service, and it led me to notice another flaw with Horizon TV — it's more of an interface layer than an actual app. Whether I needed to stream, rent or buy content, I needed to do all this within the Prime Video app, which Horizon TV would direct me to.

So...I may as well just use the Prime Video app, right? Horizon TV is a handy app to be a one-stop shop for all streaming content on the headset, but without other streaming services available, including Netflix, Apple TV and more, then it's limited to what it can show. For me, in particular, that makes the app redundant (for now).

At least there's also Twitch, Spotify and immersive apps available to jump into, but these are more bonus features compared to the scope a streaming service offers. However, Meta is bringing the 3D goods, and hopefully more sooner rather than later.

The 3D cinema treatment

One of the major advantages of using an XR headset is viewing movies in 3D. That's what the Apple Vision Pro and Samsung Galaxy XR offer, even if their content libraries are limited (and the headsets themselves cost a premium).

With that in mind, it was exciting to see Meta announce its partnership with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse, aiming to bring special 3D effects in movies like "The Black Phone" and "M3GAN." So far, these are the only two announced, and it's done via the Blumhouse Enhanced Cinema app (which is also only available in the U.S.).

I'm a fan of giving VR headsets the ability to take the cinema experience beyond with more immersive, 3D special effects, and would adore to see Meta take this further with even more movies. Luckily, there was a clip I got to try out from James Cameron's upcoming "Avatar: Fire and Ash."

As part of a partnership with the acclaimed director, the Quest 3 now has an exclusive 3D clip of the blockbuster sequel on Meta Horizon TV. And it's quite the thrill.

The clip showed Spider, the human born on Pandora, reuniting with Na'vi before being ambushed by a flurry of fire arrows that whizzed around right off the screen, and it completely gripped me to see the depth of view of the characters and environment on display. It's a naturally more immersive experience, and I was impressed by the intricate details of the main antagonist Varang's facial paint and tribal marks.

It was only a two-minute clip, but I was fully engaged to watch more from the VR headset. More so that wanting to watch it on a big-screen TV. It offered a cinema-like experience, and really, that's the goal of watching any movie at home.

Is it binge-worthy?

The Horizon TV hub is a step in the right direction for the Meta Quest 3 to become more of a viable binge-watching device, but there's a lot more work to be done so it can become something more than just a "Prime TV" hub.

Taking the direction of bringing even more movies and shows with 3D effects should be Meta's main aim, as it takes streaming to another level that only a VR headset can show off.

Sure, streaming the latest and greatest shows with a giant virtual display is a delight, but VR headsets have already done this for years. By bringing more streaming services on board and deploying more 3D content on the level that "Avatar: Fire and Ash" seems to be delivering (if you've got a Quest 3 or 3S, give it a go), then Meta may finally have another crack at its Quest VR headsets being a worthy streaming device.

Until that time arrives, though, I'll be binging my way through another episode of "Supernatural."

More from Tom's Guide

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• Valve Steam Frame vs Meta Quest 3: Here's how the VR headsets compare
• How to get Xbox Full Screen Experience on any Windows 11 PC — even if you don't have the option in settings

Valve's upcoming Steam Frame VR headset is set to arrive in spring 2026, but if you were hoping to play 2D games or view content with a 3D effect, we now know the feature won't be available — at least, not at launch.

Currently, the Steam Frame doesn't support stereoscopic 3D rendering, a feature that can create a three-dimensional view of 2D content. This can be found on the Apple Vision Pro and Samsung Galaxy XR headset, which can render depth in spatial content and convert 2D photos or videos into 3D on the fly.

However, the feature could still be coming in the future. Valve has stated that stereoscopic 3D content for the Steam Frame is "on our list," according to a spokesperson speaking to RoadtoVR. In fact, the gaming giant is considering bringing support for any stereoscopic content when streamed from a PC via the 6GHz wireless adapter or just on the VR headset.

This means we may see stereoscopic 3D content for flat games, photos or videos in the future, bringing a new level of immersion. That is, if 2D games support stereoscopic 3D rendering, as there aren't many around unless used with a third-party mod to create a 3D effect.

In light of this, Valve was also asked if it was working on a way to automatically convert 2D Steam games to 3D on the Steam Frame, but stated that this wasn't something it's looking into at the moment.

A future goal

We're impressed by how XR headsets can turn any 2D photo into a 3D one, like from Apple's Photos app on the Vision Pro and Google Photos on Samsung's Galaxy XR headset. Plus, 3D movies are also gaining traction, and seeing this implemented on Valve's Steam Frame would give the VR headset another perk.

However, this has been an exclusive feature for more premium headsets for now, although Meta has partnered up with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse to feature movies with 3D special effects on its Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S via its new Horizon TV hub.

With Valve working on a so-called "Lepton" compatibility layer (via GamingOnLinux) to allow Android on its Linux-based SteamOS devices like the Steam Frame, this could bleed into a way to utilize Android XR. This could take full advantage of more stereoscopic 3D content, but it would still be trickier for 2D gaming.

If Valve finds a way to render stereoscopic 3D for a game in real time, it would add another dimension to playing flat Steam games on the Steam Frame. But in the meantime, this won't be something that's immediately available on the anticipated VR headset.

For now, Valve has been working on other ways to bring games to more platforms, as it's been laying the groundwork to deliver Windows gaming to more Arm-based devices. And it could be a sign of the Steam Deck 2 switching to an Arm-based chip.

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It's been a hot minute since I've set foot in an arcade. From spamming Hadoukens in Street Fighter II to throwing all the boxes at thugs in Double Dragon, there's something about piling up a stack of coins and mashing buttons on a cabinet that scratches a specific itch compared to playing on, say, a PS5 or gaming PC.

Well, that itch has certainly been scratched ever since setting up X-Arcade's Arcade2TV-XR machine. Is it a full-blown arcade cabinet? Or is it simply an oversized arcade stick? Good questions, considering there's no screen in sight on this piece of equipment.

To answer them both: yes, and it's all made possible in VR. By linking the X-Arcade up with my Meta Quest 3, I was shooting off pinballs while frantically clicking flippers in Pinball FX VR and even throwing down some Shoryukens in Street Fighter via Arcade Ranger — all while standing in front of a (virtual) cabinet.

But it also goes beyond just VR, as the Arcade2TV-XR is also compatible with a PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac and more (with the right adapters). Hooking it up to a gaming PC to play Street Fighter 6 is yet another perk this machine delivers.

It's like having an all-in-one, multi-purpose arcade kit in the corner of my room, and for many, that's the dream arcade experience. And hey, it's nearly Black Friday, so of course there's a sale on right now that takes $100/£77 off the machine.

From the classic joystick and button feel to the side bumpers for pinball action, the Arcade2TV-XR is an impressively made machine that feels authentic to the cabinets of old — with a spruced-up modern look (RGB lighting included). It takes full advantage of VR, but this will only cater to a specific niche of gamers.

Unless you're into emulation, a die-hard pinball fan and have the patience to get all of this set up, I can't say this VR accessory will be for you. Oh, and if you're already struggling to find space in your place, you can forget about squeezing this sizable, chunky device anywhere.

The arcade experience, at home

If I were just a kid asking my mom, "can we go to the arcade?" just to get a "no, we have an arcade at home," I'd actually be perfectly happy returning to what the Arcade2TV-XR has to offer.

This tankstick-style setup delivers two sets of great-feeling joysticks and more than enough buttons for arcade games, with ample room for two players, along with buttons that act as bumpers on the side for pinball. There's even a precision trackball to act as a mouse!

But this is mainly made for VR, and X-Arcade has set it up to be compatible with the ever-popular Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S. The top of the deck includes holders for your VR controllers, placed when you're moving from needing the controllers to controlling a virtual cabinet or pinball machine using the accessory.

Along with its adjustable pedestal to get the right height, glorious RGB lighting on its glass panel with "X-Arcade" emblazoned on it and sturdy frame with rubber grips and wheels to move it around, it's an impressive accessory to put on show in a room.

The hardware is all for naught without the right software, though, and it's not exactly easy to translate the controls of an arcade machine to VR. Actually, the Arcade2TV-XR doesn't even work in the normal VR space, so you'll still need those Quest Touch plus controllers handy.

Fortunately, X-Arcade includes two VR games that support its accessory upon purchase. That includes Arcade Ranger and Pinball FX VR, which provide all you really need to make the most of the device. I spent the most time in the latter, and I didn't realize just how many hours I could sink trying to get the high score in various pinball machines.

It's a simple thing, but using physical buttons to control flippers is hard to beat. Not only did it feel like I was actually in control of the ball, but the experience itself felt authentic — especially with Zen Studios' varied and well-made virtual arcade machines.

The pinball machines available in Pinball FX VR include Pinball Noir, Curse of the Mummy and Sky Pirates: Treasures of the Clouds. They're a blast to play, and I enjoyed how each table comes with its own avatar to make the games feel alive. Like the detective talking about the crimes of the city and the mummy spooking me when I'd sunk a ball.

Other machines are based on well-known movies and shows, like "Tomb Raider," "Indiana Jones," "Star Trek" and even "Battlestar Galactica." These require an additional purchase (from $9.99), which can be a bit of a kick in the teeth, considering the price of the X-Arcade machine. But for serious pinball fans, the game provides an arcade-style paradise.

To put the rest of the buttons on the tankstick to use, I also tried Arcade Ranger. Now, this allows gamers to use legal ROMs of classic arcade games to play in-game on a virtual cabinet, meaning you can create as many virtual cabinets as you'd like. It's a shame these aren't provided already, but Arcade Ranger is currently in early access, so hopefully some titles will be available down the line.

I can imagine trying my all-time favorite classic Street Fighter II would be wicked to play, but in the meantime, I tried the latest Street Fighter 6 by linking the Arcade2TV-XR up to my gaming PC. The arcade vibes quickly sank in, with the feel of the joystick (which can be customized with the three restrictor gates included, such as four-way, circular and octagonal) and the layout of buttons, this experience got pretty close to simply being in a realistic arcade setting with a proper cabinet.

And yes, another player can quickly join in by pressing the player two button. My partner got involved, but only lasted five minutes before getting sick of my aforementioned Hadouken spamming (I'm not even sorry).

An enthusiast's machine

Perhaps I've been spoiled by the plug-and-play mentality of modern devices, but the Arcade2TV-XR isn't exactly straightforward to set up.

First, building the stand itself can take around 30 minutes, which is fairly painless, but a required step before diving into arcade games. Second, you have to redeem and download the games that are compatible with the accessory. And, finally, you'll need to own and download ROMs of arcade games and use SideQuest to transfer games over to Arcade Ranger.

If you're not familiar with getting these up and running through the Quest 3 just to use the Arcade2TV-XR, then you'll find this process to be a pain. This is why I spent the majority of my time playing pinball, even though this doesn't use X-Arcade's device to its full potential.

I do appreciate the easy connection between the Arcade2TV-XR machine and the Quest 3, as all it takes is slotting in the wireless USB-C adapter to the headset to get it going. But otherwise, it can be a nuisance to just boot up the arcade stick to play a game from the get-go.

What's more, the Quest Touch plus controllers are essential. In order to move to a virtual machine while in VR, along with selecting menus, changing settings and the like, you'll need the Quest's controllers to navigate around before you can actually use this tankstick. This was an apparent problem when one of my controllers suddenly ran out of battery, as I was left standing in an arcade like an awkward kid, not knowing which cabinet to play.

Without the bounty of classic games to play right off the bat, or the numerous pinball tables that need to be bought, the Arcade2TV-XR is left to be a shallow experience. And for its price (more than a Meta Quest 3S headset itself), I'd find it hard to find a reason to have this taking up space in my home.

Is the Arcade2TV-XR worth it?

X-Arcade's Arcade2TV-XR may have numerous use cases that go beyond all the fun to be had building your own arcade space in VR, seeing as it could easily fit in among the best fightsticks for fighting games and beat 'em ups on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X and more, but its main focus is virtual reality. And that's already quite niche.

Not everyone has a library of classic arcade ROMs ready, let alone the patience to get this set up in a specific VR game made for Meta Quest headsets. And not everyone wants to spend $499 on a huge machine just to play pinball in VR with two physical side buttons (and pay more for extra pinball tables!).

The Arcade2TV-XR is very much made for enthusiasts, but that's not entirely a bad thing. For anyone who dreams of creating their own arcade space with one finely built machine that holds their collection of all-time great arcade games and pinball machines, and who wants to use it on various other platforms, this arcade-style VR accessory is exactly what you're looking for.

Did it ignite a hidden joy for playing far too much pinball, though? Yes, and I'll be mashing those flippers in VR with gusto.

More from Tom's Guide

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• I just tested Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11 with my Meta Quest 3, and it’s shockingly good for a free feature
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Imagine soaring over the Great Pyramid of Giza on your lunch break. Or scaling the Burj Khalifa while you’re waiting for a delivery. How about venturing through the Vatican from your backyard?

Thanks to Android XR, all that just become a whole lot more possible without the hassle of actually getting there. No jet lag. No queuing in customs. No lost luggage.

A collaboration between Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm, Android XR is a brand-new operating system specifically designed for a range of compatible headsets and smart glasses. It seamlessly blends augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into extended reality (XR), delivering the next generation of immersive, impactful experiences for work or play.

Of course, devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR are up to the bread-and-butter tasks that AR and VR let you do already, like checking emails, browsing photos, streaming Netflix, and playing games. And they utilize the Google Play Store’s expansive suite of optimized spatial apps to help you maximize productivity, creativity, and interactivity. But with the latest version of Google Maps, you can really fly.

So much more than just Google Earth

Pick any spot in the world, whether that’s somewhere you’ve always dreamed of going, like the Golden Gate Bridge or Sagrada Familia, or even where you grew up, and Android XR instantly teleports you there, letting you view places and landmarks from a top-down view. So far, so Google Earth VR, right? Wrong. Turn on Immersive View, and your destination is rendered in stunning clarity and detail and enhanced with context-driven info. Get down to Street View for those stunning 360-degree panoramic views, and you’re there without actually being there.

And with Google Maps already seamlessly baked into the Android XR interface, you can highlight notable buildings, popular sightseeing spots, restaurants, and tourist hotspots, where you can immediately check out their name, their review rating, and other information via their floating labels. What’s more, certain locales will even let you explore their interiors in glorious 3D, so you can check whether that bar or eaterie has the right vibe.

Importantly, you can easily navigate the world with Android XR’s intuitive hand-tracking mode. Seen something in the distance that catches your eye? Pan to it by pinching and dragging with one hand, pulling the world towards you. Want to take a closer look? Zoom in or out of an area by pinching both hands and moving them closer or further apart. Fancy checking out a landmark from all angles? Pinch both hands and turn them as you would a steering wheel for that enviable 360-degree view.

It’s a perfect way for travellers who want to get their bearings and explore places virtually without getting lost or wasting valuable vacation time, leaving you more opportunity to soak in your destination without all the stressful hustle and bustle. It’s also great for those who can’t travel for whatever reason, empowering them with the tools to discover and explore without leaving home.

Gemini is along for the ride

Android XR has also been built from the ground up with Gemini AI, which offers a dynamic, multimodal way of connecting with your world, whether virtual or not. It’s all about enhancing your XR experience with intuitive interactions, such as voice, vision, or gesture. Sure, the latter can feel natural and tactile, but seamless voice control is the natural progression for this tech, perfect for when you’re tired of lifting your hands and making micro gestures.

With Gemini Live, understanding your surroundings and getting instant recommendations and contextual info just got a whole lot easier. Just focus on a building, landmark, or point of interest and say, “Tell me more about this.” Want to find out when a monument was built or when a museum closes for the day? Stomach rumbling and can’t find anywhere to eat? All you need to do is point and ask.

You can also zip between destinations solely with voice control, so you can go from marveling at the Liberty Bell in Philly to scouting diving spots off Ko Tao in mere moments, without lifting a single finger.

Gemini also responds via helpful, human conversations, so you don’t have to break immersion by opening another window or app to find out more.

In short, whether you want to traverse thousands of miles from the comfort of your couch or fancy a curious look at where you’re going to scout those unmissable joints, Android XR can get you anywhere you want. The only problem is deciding where to go next.

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Google’s new Android XR platform is a major leap forward in how we experience digital worlds. Android XR isn’t just about immersion; it’s about connection. The “XR” stands for “extended reality,” a fusion of VR and AR that blends together the physical and digital into one seamless ecosystem.

Android XR’s defining feature is the way in which it’s designed. Rather than just having select AI capabilities, it’s built entirely around Gemini, Google’s AI assistant.

Whether it’s powering Samsung’s upcoming headset, the Galaxy XR, or other iterations of next-gen smart eyewear, Android XR adds a new layer of intelligence to the space.

It’s the beginning of a more flexible, context-aware era of reality itself.

What is Android XR?

At its core, Android XR is Google’s next big platform evolution: an operating system designed specifically with extended reality in mind.

“XR” is a broad term that covers virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), combining all three into one seamless, adaptable ecosystem.

Just as Android powers phones, tablets, TVs, and cars, Android XR extends that flexibility to immersive devices, from full-on headsets to lightweight smart glasses.

Developers can use familiar tools like Android Studio, Unity, and OpenXR to build apps and experiences on Android XR. Meanwhile, Google is in the process of reimagining its app ecosystem for XR, with new versions of YouTube, Maps, Photos, and Chrome.

Built jointly in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm, Android XR is more than just a new interface for headsets. It’s a foundation for the next era of connected, AI-enhanced computing.

One platform, many realities

Android XR’s distinctive feature is its ability to adapt across devices. It isn’t tied to any single form factor. Instead, it’s built to power everything from immersive headsets like Samsung’s Galaxy XR to the best smart glasses made for everyday use.

On a headset, Android XR delivers a full spatial computing experience. Outward-facing cameras map your surroundings while you move digital windows, layer apps, or summon immersive videos using hand gestures and spatial audio. It’s a desktop that exists all around you, and it's fluid, responsive, and powered by Gemini.

Slip on a pair of smart glasses, and the experience feels similar, although a lot more subtle. Android XR offers context-aware overlays. It gives you navigation arrows in Google Maps, real-time captions for your conversations, and answers to your questions via Gemini Live.

Rather than replacing the real world, Android XR’s design philosophy is about enhancing reality instead of escaping it.

Gemini inside: AI that sees what you see

The real magic behind Android XR’s intelligence is Gemini, Google’s versatile AI that the entire platform was built around. Unlike older systems that treated AI as an afterthought, Android XR has Gemini woven into its core, enabling your headset or smart glasses to truly understand the world around you.

Through Gemini Live, the assistant doesn’t just respond to text or voice. It can actually see what you see through your headset’s pass-through cameras.

Our Global Editor in Chief, Mark Spoonauer, recently had a chance to try out the Samsung Galaxy XR. With the help of Gemini Live, he identified plants, got cocktail recipes based on what was on a shelf, and even received gaming advice for Diablo Immortal, all in real-time.

This ability to “see” what you see turns Android XR into a lot more than just an operating system. It’s an intelligent, context-aware partner that responds to your surroundings. And thanks to the built-in privacy controls, you can pause visual input or switch to voice-only mode whenever you choose.

Why XR is the next stage of VR’s evolution

Virtual reality has always been about immersion and escapism. Extended reality (XR) takes this further by bringing the digital and physical worlds together. Rather than isolating users, XR overlays useful, adaptive information onto real environments, powered by AI and context awareness.

In keeping with Android’s wider ethos, XR is built on an open, developer-friendly foundation. Because of this, it supports a wide range of devices and experiences, from fully immersive gaming to productivity tools that “live” within your real surroundings.

With Gemini built into its core, XR isn’t just simulating spaces; it’s understanding them. This makes it not only a whole lot more flexible than traditional VR, but also better equipped to shape the next generation of work, creativity, and entertainment.

Building the future of reality

Android XR marks the beginning of a new era for immersive technology: a unified platform built by Google and Samsung to merge the digital with the physical.

From productivity to play, XR is built to adapt to every context, powered by Gemini’s real-time intelligence and Android’s openness across devices.

As the first XR-based headsets and smart glasses launch in 2025, we’re seeing more than just the launch of a new gadget. We’re witnessing the beginnings of an AI-driven ecosystem where reality itself is becoming more interactive, intuitive, and endlessly expandable.

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I’m sitting back on my sofa staring at a 60-inch Samsung TV. It’s good, but it’s nowhere near as good as the Galaxy XR I’m wearing. And that’s because I can do something with this mixed reality headset you simply can’t do with a TV.

I have four NFL games playing at the same time through NFL Sunday Ticket, and I can blow up the view to the equivalent of a 100-inch TV right in front of my face. It gets better. I can take the windows for those four games and explode the grid view, moving them anywhere I want in the room.

Sometimes I wish I had my own sports bar or man cave, but the Galaxy XR is the next best thing.

NFL Sunday Ticket to the Max

If you happen to subscribe to Sunday Ticket, the Galaxy XR takes that experience to the next level. You can access Sunday Ticket both through the YouTube TV app the YouTube app on the headset, but the YouTube app is way better because it lets you explode the grid view and place the games where you want in your virtual space.

You can watch a grid of four games at once using both YouTube TV and YouTube, and you can easily switch between them using eye and hand tracking. And from there you can decide to blow up one of the games to full screen if you find one of them particularly engaging.

I did that with the New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers, and it almost felt like I was in the huddle. Just note that the resolution is capped at 1080p through the Galaxy XR for NFL Sunday Ticket. This is despite me signing up 4K through YouTube TV.

The reason why YouTube app is superior is the freedom it gives you with the grid. For example, I could put one game front and center and make it larger, and then move the windows for the other games and put them off to the side. It’s like Minority Report cool for sports nerds.

It’s worth noting that YouTube didn’t have all the games I wanted to watch due to blackout rules. For example, I couldn’t watch the Chiefs vs Bills games through the YouTube app. I had to jump over to the YouTube TV app instead. But overall, this is a pretty amazing experience the Apple Vision Pro can’t touch.

Other Galaxy XR sports experiences: NBA and MLB

If you’re not big into football, there’s lots of other sports apps to try that support Android XR. The NBA app is a close second for me, because you can watch immersive highlights, as well as stream up to three live games at the same time.

I enjoyed watching a highlight of Jericho Sims flying above the basket for an emphatic two-handed slam. It felt like I was watching a 3D movie of the game.

I had trouble logging into the MLB app on Galaxy XR, and I think it has to do with the eye and hand tracking. Each time I tried to log in I had trouble hitting the login button. But I’ll keep trying and report back. When the app does work, you can see a 3D visualization of games as you watch and follow the trajectory of every home run. Plus, you can see real-time status for the players.

MLB.TV lets you watch up to five live games at the same time with the multi-view feature, and it offers Spatial video highlights.

Outlook

If you’re a sports fan, I would definitely check out the Galaxy XR. NFL fans in particular who subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket will have a blast with this headset. I know because I gave the headset to my 17-year-old son and he gave it the highest praise he can give. “It’s pretty cool,” he said.

The rated battery life of 2 hours is not enough to get you through a typical 3-hour NFL game. So you'll want to make sure you stay next to an outlet while you're kicking back to watch the big game(s).

Some day we might all be walking around wearing smart glasses, and now that I’ve been testing the Galaxy XR, I have a pretty good sense of how they might work. This mixed reality headset has been a mixed bag so far (full review to come), but it has a secret weapon no other device can match right now. And it actually changes the way I think about AI and AR and how they’re colliding — in a good way.

I’m talking about Gemini Live, which is the AI assistant that’s built right into the Galaxy XR. All you have to do is long-press the top right button on the headset (or say “Hey, Google) and you can start chatting with Gemini. Even better, you can share your screen with Gemini so it can “see” whatever you see. And it’s a potential game changer for how this category evolves.

An always-ready AI Assistant

For example, I was looking through Google Photos on the Galaxy XR and I wanted to know what a particular flower was. I could ask on the fly, “What kind of flower is that?” and I got an answer almost immediately. It turns out that it was a purple Clematis viticella, and I could ask follow up questions on how to care for it and more.

Gemini can see your real-world view through the Galaxy XR’s pass-through as well. For example, while standing in my sun room next to our wet bar, I looked that the liquor bottles on my shelf and asked what I could make out of the ingredients. Gemini gave me the recipe for a chocolate martini in a separate window that I could use to follow along.

Since the Galaxy XR has Netflix on board, I wanted to see if Gemini could help me decide if the No. 1 movie was worth watching. So I asked Gemini to pull up reviews for “The Woman in Cabin 10” on Rotten Tomatoes. Except that I didn’t even need to say the name of the movie, because Gemini could see what’s on my screen.

Your gaming copilot

Gemini really impressed me through the Galaxy XR when I used it as a gaming co-piilot. While playing “Diablo Immortal” through the headset I asked for advice on where to go, as well as which attacks would help me defeat a boss in a battle. Gemini knew at a glance what game I was playing, the character I was playing as (a monk) and my special skills.

Gemini does have some limitations through Galaxy XR. It can’t see DRM-protected content. So, for example, while watching an NFL game through YouTube TV, I couldn’t get any answers when I asked “how many rushing yards does he have” while looking at Saquon Barkley. Instead, I had to ask Gemini specifically about the player to get any info.

I also wish Gemini could do a bit more in terms of performing actions on your behalf, While you can use it to open apps and look up info on pretty much any topic, it would be nice if I could say “Hey, Google, start a screen recording.”

Speaking of which, it would be nice if you could use Gemini screen sharing and record your Galaxy XR screen at the same time. Right now you can't. However, I suspect that Gemini will get more capable over time through the Galaxy XR via software updates.

Are we giving AI too much access?

Some people might be freaked out about having an AI assistant watch their every move through the Galaxy XR, but at least it’s easy to pause screen sharing and Gemini altogether. And you could always opt for voice-only mode if you don’t want the assistant to have eyes on your virtual or physical world.

And I also like that you can choose to have live captions turned on for Gemini, which could come in handy for those who are hard of hearing. Or if you want to play your game at full blast and still see the advice from your AI buddy pop up on screen.

Over time, I can see Gemini Live having a big impact on smart glasses, and Google has already announced that they will be working with partners like Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. But for now I think the Galaxy XR is a pretty compelling example of where AI on your face is going.

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After months of teasers and previews, Samsung's Galaxy XR headset has finally arrived powered by Google's Android XR operating system. Built for headsets and smart glasses, Android XR combines Google's AI assistant Gemini with apps and games.

Announced tonight (October 21) during an online launch event, the Galaxy XR bears a striking resemblance to the Apple Vision Pro headset it's looking to challenge. And Samsung's device could have Apple beat in one key area, as the Galaxy XR is substantially less expensive, even if it still commands a four-figure price tag.

Powered by Qualcomm silicon, the Galaxy XR figures to stand out with with its Android XR software, featuring XR optimized versions of Google Maps, YouTube and Google Meet, alongside VR games and XR "experiences" from Adobe, Fox Sports and MLB. The platform also features Gemini Live, which Google says will "understand what you're seeing and doing" in order to help you search or take actions in your apps via natural language conversations. As a result, Galaxy XR can be controlled via your voice, hands and eyes.

We've got a hands-on look at Galaxy XR if you want to read Mark Spoonauer's first impressions of the device. But here's what else you need to know about this Samsung headset and the software that powers it.

Availability and price

The Galaxy XR headset is available starting today for $1,799 or $149 a month. Right now, the Samsung Galaxy XR can only be bought from Samsung.com or at Samsung Experience stores in the United States and South Korea.

Additionally, Google is releasing a limited-time Explorer Pack that includes several media and AI subscriptions:

• 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass.
• A $1 per month trial of YouTube TV for 3 months in the US, or 6 months of TVING Premium in Korea.
• Access to the 2025-2026 season of NBA League Pass in the US, or 12 months of the Coupang Play Sports Pass in Korea.
• Access to Status Pro’s NFL PRO ERA, Project Pulsar from Adobe, Asteroid, and Calm.

Galaxy XR hardware

Like the Vision Pro, the Galaxy XR is a headset with a ski mask like design that slips over your face. There's a passthrough mode that lets you see the real world around you, but you can also opt for the more immersive view where apps float in front of you.

Samsung is promising a lightweight design, with the Galaxy XR tipping the scales at 545 grams, a measurement that includes a forehead cushion. For context, the latest version of the Vision Pro weighs between 750 and 800 grams, depending if you're using a light seal. Samsung claims the frame distributes pressure across the forehead and the back of your head, and it's separated out the battery to keep things lighter.

A Snapdragon XR Plus Gen 2 chipset from Qualcomm powers the headset, which features a 3,552 x 3,840 microLED display that supports refresh rates of up to 90Hz. You have a 109-degree horizontal field of view and a 100-degree vertical field of view.

The battery should last you two hours for general use, according to Samsung's figures. That expands to 2.5 hours when watching videos. And you can keep using the headset as you charge the battery.

Galaxy XR software

Samsung and its partners such as Google clearly are banking on the Android XR experience to set the Galaxy XR headset apart from what's currently out there. That means XR-optimized versions of apps.

For example, Google Maps features immersive 3D maps that you can view in a virtual space, with Gemini offering navigation features and suggestions. When passthrough mode is enabled, you can use the same Circle to Search feature found on Android phones to look up more information on real-world objects by drawing a circle with your hand. Google Photos features support for spatial photos and videos on the Galaxy XR.

If you want to use the Galaxy XR for work, Google says you can have multiple apps open like a browser, documents and a music player at any size that are arrangeable around a "massive, private space."

For example, you can arrange your Chrome tabs in an arc. There are new apps like Adobe's video editor Project Pulsar and TopHatch's Concept sketching app.

You can pair a keyboard and mouse or link your PC for a desktop experience. If things get too cluttered in the space you can ask Gemini to organize the windows.

Galaxy XR also features to be a popular device for looking at videos and photos. Via YouTube you'll be able to watch a number of spatial videos in both 180 and 360-degree VR content. There is also a new spatial tab for media that YouTube creators have converted to 3D. Additionally, you can watch movies on a massive, resizable screen in Google TV.

Within Google Photos, you can convert 2D images and videos into 3D.

From there, you can use Gemini to pull up information like player stats from sports highlights. "Gemini understands what you’re seeing and gets you the info in real time," Google claims in its Android XR announcement accompanying the Galaxy XR launch.

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Samsung capped off nearly a year's worth of hype this week by showing off its mixed-reality headset at a virtual product launch. And while the newly unveiled Galaxy XR headset shares a lot of features in common with Apple's Vision Pro, there's one big difference: the Samsung version costs a fraction of the $3,499 Apple charges for its headset.

The October 21 event has been a long-time coming. Samsung first announced plans to work on XR devices alongside Google and Qualcomm back in February 2023. Those efforts seemed to pay off last December when Google announced its Android XR software platform, with Samsung teasing plans to put out a headset in 2025 that it's been calling Project Moohan.

That Project Moohan name is now history, with Samsung officially switching to Galaxy XR for the finished product. You can read our Galaxy XR hands-on for some initial impressions of the headset; additionally, here's what else we know about this device, as it goes on sale for $1,799 right now.

Galaxy XR highlights

• On sale in the U.S. and Korea
• Powered by a Snapdragon X2 Plus Gen 2 chipset
• Runs on Android XR and features an on-device Gemini Assistant
• The battery pack promises 2 hours of general use or 2.5 hours of video playback
• Many Google apps have been optimized for Android XR
• An Explorer Pass available to anyone who buys the Galaxy XR includes year-long subscriptions to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium and Google Play Pass among other perks.

Additionally, Samsung confirmed plans to developer other Android XR-based devices including AR glasses. It's working with both Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on devices.

If you missed the live stream Tuesday night, you can watch the replay below or read our blow-by-blow account of the different announcements.

Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro

Assuming a ship date sometime in the next month or so, Samsung's Galaxy XR headset will arrive more than 1.5 years after Apple's Vision Pro headset arrived. In fact, Apple has even updated the Vision Pro, releasing a new version that runs on M5 silicon.

Any time Apple and Samsung release products in the same category, you're going to see comparisons spring up — especially since the Galaxy XR and Vision Pro have similar designs and seem to offer many of the same experiences (at least if we go by the demos Samsung has shown up until now).

Based on what we know so far about all the Project Moohan disclosures and augmented by leaked reports of the device's specs, we've put together a Galaxy XR vs. Apple Vision Pro M5 comparison. But one of the biggest differences could be price as even if the Galaxy XR hits the higher end of its rumored price range, it would still cost hundreds of dollars less than Apple's $3,499 headset.

Rumored specs

Samsung hasn't had much to say about the specs for its new headset. But leakers haven't been so reticent, with a report claiming to detail the specs for Galaxy XR leaking earlier this month. Here's what it listed:

What will the Galaxy XR cost?

As with any new product launch, the biggest question surrounding the Galaxy XR is how much the headset will cost. Samsung hasn't had much to say in this regard, though at least one report out of Korea has forecast what the price might be.

Back in August, a publication called Newsworks listed a price range for Samsung's mixed reality headset, claiming it could cost between $1,800 and $2,900. At the high end of that range, the Galaxy XR would cost less than the $3,499 Vision Pro headset. However, Meta's top offering, the Meta Quest 3, starts at $499. So that's quite a bit of a price gap.

An early Project Moohan hands-on

It's rare that I've had the chance to try out a product before it's announced, but that's the case with the Galaxy XR. I attended Google I/O in May, and Samsung was at that event offering demos of its Project Moohan headset.

I was impressed by what I saw at the time, and I'm not really inclined to enjoy using headsets. I did appreciate the passthrough view on Project Moohan, which let me see the world around me, without that feeling of being cut off that I get when using Meta's headgear.

As you might imagine at an event focused on Google's software efforts, a lot of the demo focused on the Android XR platform and how Google apps will work on Samsung's headset. Using gesture controls, I tried out apps like Photos, YouTube and Google Maps — the latter was easily my favorite demo, as I could get a bird's eye view of a city and then dive in for a closer look at various points of interest.

Samsung's savings

It's not too late to save on the Galaxy XR headset — or whatever else Samsung announces tonight. In the spirit of similar promotions ahead of Galaxy Unpacked events, Samsung is promising a $100 credit if you register your name and email address with the company ahead of the 10 p.m. ET event. You aren't under any obligation to pre-order the device, and you can apply any other pre-order offers that Samsung may make leading up to the release of its headset.

What the competition is up to

Whether by coincidence or by design, reviews of Apple's revamped Vision Pro headset, now powered by an M5 chip, are appearing just before the Samsung event to show off its mixed reality headset. And, of course, we've got our review, too.

In his Apple Vision Pro M5 review, Mark Spoonauer praises the faster performance and comfier fit of Apple's headset, but finds the lack of multi-modal AI to be a frustrating limitation. And the fact that price hasn't changed from the original $3,499 is a bit of a bummer, too.

Potential Galaxy XR apps

If you're wondering about what kind of apps will be available for the Galaxy XR — and other Android XR-based headsets — Google may have already tipped its hand. A Reddit user posted images pulled from the Play Store that tout "immersive experiences made for your XR headset." The screenshots show off apps that have been optimized for mixed reality headsets, and the device featured on the main page looks an awful lot like the Project Moohan headset Samsung has shown off in demos.

The featured apps mostly look like games, including Asteroid and Vacation Simulator, but there's also XR-ready versions of streaming apps and virtual desktops, too.

Potential surprises

I fully expect the Galaxy XR to be the sole focus of tonight's event, though I suppose Samsung could talk a bit more about other mixed reality plans — like many other tech giants, the company is said to be working on its own set of smart glasses, for example. But there's always the possibility of Samsung ending the event with a surprise, like it did in January, when it teased the Galaxy S25 Edge launch just after introducing the other S25 models.

If there's a likely candidate for a surprise appearance, it could be Samsung's long-rumored triple-folding phone. After all, Samsung has indicated it plans to release the phone at some point before the end of the year, even if it's in limited markets. And the timing of the event — late morning in South Korea — would line up with the idea that the Galaxy Z Tri-Fold — could appear first in that country.

Will the Galaxy XR be comfortable?

During his hands-on at Google I/O, Philip Michaels didn't find the headset overly burdensome, though the time with the headset was short.

The headset is rumored to weight 18.6 ounces, a little more than the 17.6 ounce Meta Quest 3 headset, and lighter than the refreshed Apple Vision Pro M5, which comes in at 21.2-22.9 ounces.

The Galaxy XR features one strap unlike the new strap for the Vision Pro, hopefully it's not enough especially for longer sessions.

Our first look at the Galaxy XR from January

During the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event in January where the company launched the Galaxy S25 series, we also got our first glimpse at Project Moohan in person.

At the time, we were only able to see the headset. Hands on previews wouldn't come until later.

Under the hood

Unlike Qualcomm's smartphone chips, its XR chips haven't received an annual release. Instead, we've known about the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform since at least 2024.

It helps that it was built in partnership with Samsung and Google for this very device.

Here's what it brings to the table. Support for up to 4.3K resolution in each eye, running at 90 frames per second. Increased performance compared to the XR2 Gen 2 in the Meta Quest 3 headset and support for up to 12 concurrent cameras (like in the Apple Vision Pro) for tracking.

We don't totally know how Samsung and Google will leverage the Qualcomm chipset, but it should be a powerful system on par with the Quest 3 and Vision Pro.

5 hours to show time

Samsung's Galaxy XR event is five hours away set to go live virtually at 7 pm PDT/7 pm ET (3 AM UK on October 22 and noon AEST in Australia), which will be 11 am in Seoul.

As a reminder, we'll have impressions and news going up around that time to provide you more details during the digital launch.

What we know so far

Here at Tom's Guide, we've been tracking both the Galaxy XR headset and the Android XR platform for quite a while.

With that in mind, if there's more you want to know about either Android XR or Project Moohan, we have guides for you, which we'll be sure to update once Samsung makes its announcement.

• Everything you need to know about Android XR
• Samsung Galaxy XR: Rumored price, release date, specs and latest news

Android XR in the spotlight

A lot of the talk during tonight's Galaxy XR event could focus on the software powering the device. That would be Android XR, and Samsung's headset isn't the only device slated to take advantage of this Google-built platform. Android XR is also set to power smart glasses from Xreal and even mixed-reality gear that Google builds itself.

In fact, Android XR figures to be the software on a lot of different devices from virtual headsets to glasses. With Android XR, developers can create apps best suited to run on those kinds of devices.

Here's our look at Android XR, as well as a list of companies developing for the platform.

A walk down memory lane

I'm old enough to remember one of Samsung's last stabs at a VR product — the old Samsung Gear VR headset. If you remember. you'd strap a compatible phone onto the headset — in this case, a Samsung flagship phone — and you'd be transported into a virtual world.

It was somewhat cutting-edge for its time, but I think the Gear VR suffered from its reliance on the phone to do most of the heavy-lifting. Apart from the same general headset design and the Samsung name, the Galaxy XR shares very little in common with the Gear VR. But I think it's fair to say, that the Gear VR walked so that the headset arriving tonight could run.

What Samsung's teaser video tells us

When it announce tonight's Galaxy event last week, Samsung included a hype video for its mixed reality headset. And if you go through the video, you might find some hints about the experiences Samsung's going to include with the Galaxy XR.

Start with the dissolve into the opening shot and its three panels featuring a park, the Brooklyn Bridge and a fancy coffee. I imagine that's a reference to the tiled interface you'll see when you strap on an XR headset.

We also get a look at some typical apps we can likely expect to be front-and-center on the Galaxy XR. The mapping software includes swooping images of the city, dotted with virtual points of interest you can probably click to get more info. That morphs into a view of a stadium superimposed with real-time stats — I'm guessing Samsung is suggesting you can watch the big game and have key stats floating in your view.

We end with the "Worlds Wide Open" slogan, which hearkens back to the expansive view the Galaxy XR headset promises.

Perhaps I'm reading a lot into a 16-second clip, but a lot of the experiences Samsung is hinting at aren't too far removed from my own hands-on with Project Moohan from earlier this year.

Project Moohan origin story

You could argue that this event has been 2.5 years in the making, as it was back in February 2023 that Samsung was joined by Qualcomm and Google at the Galaxy S23 launch to talk up XR plans. Specifically, that was the event were the three companies said they would team up to build a new mixed reality platform.

That led to Android XR's unveiling last December, along with the first announcement that Samsung's headset would ship at some point in 2025. And now here we are.

Gemini onboard?

Back when reports of the first Project Moohan demos emerged, there was talk about how Google Gemini could be the differentiating factor for the headset Samsung ultimately shipped. After all, Google's AI assistant plays a big part on Samsung's phones, so it's logical that the assistant would also be present on the headset, too, especially with that Android XR platform running the show.

Indeed, Gemini Live could be quite a bonus for the Galaxy XR headset as it would give you another way to both control the device while also getting answers to questions and having the AI see the same things you are. That's something I'll be watching for tonight when Samsung outlines the features on its device.

Controllers or no?

When I demoed the Project Moohan headset at Google I/O, I used gesture controls, so I was a little surprised when leaked specs suggested that there will be physical controls for the headset too. And yet, some early pictures — apparently part of a preview that leaked out early — show controllers that you can reportedly use with the Galaxy XR if you are so inclined.

Assuming that's a legitimate photo, I don't know how central these controllers will be to the Galaxy XR experience. I found the gesture controls more than adequate for the tasks at hand, but maybe for gaming, having physical controls is a better option.

What about smart glasses?

You've heard about Project Moohan. Now what about Project Haean? That's the rumored pair of smart glasses reportedly in development at Samsung.

Unlike the Moohan headset, which has been a source of public knowledge since December, Project Haean has only been the subject of media reports. But if there's any truth to this rumor, you might imagine that Samsung could hint about future XR plans after it officially launches the Galaxy XR.

The countdown continues

We've got less than an hour before the Galaxy XR event begins, which is the point we'd normally be ushered into whatever arena or theater is hosting Samsung's launch party. But that's not the case this time, at least here in the U.S. Given the odd hour of tonight's event, it's likely going to be one of Samsung's pre-taped launches, much like the virtual product events that happened in the early years of the COVID epidemic.

More than just Moohan

It's the Galaxy XR's big night, but remember that it's not the only Android XR device in the works. In fact, it's not even the only XR device that got talked up at Google I/O earlier this year.

At that same show, Xreal announced plans to team up with Google to build spatial computing devices on Android XR. Specifically, Xreal is working on a pair of smart glasses. You can read all about its Project Aura efforts — and what my colleague Jason England thinks about it — as you wait for the Galaxy XR to appear.

Where will the Galaxy XR be available?

Samsung doesn't always globally launch products, especially if they're kind of niche. Take last year's Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. That version of Samsung's premium foldable phone only shipped in Korea, though some of its features like a 200MP main camera would find their way into the regular Galaxy Z Fold models.

The point is that Samsung sometimes tries out products in limited markets just to gauge the appeal. Will that happen with the Galaxy XR? I'm not certain, but it's something to pay attention to in a half-hour when the launch event begins and Samsung discloses its plans.

Last-minute rumors

On the website formerly known as Twitter, posters think they have the price for the Galaxy XR ahead of the launch. And the good news is it's on the lower end of that rumored $1.800 to $2.900 range.

We'll find out just how accurate that claim is in a matter of moments.

Ready, set....

We've moved to the big screen for the event now that we're at t-minus 15 minutes. A jazzy version of the Samsung jingle is playing. All is mellow.

Project Moohan crash course

If you're just joining us in advance of Samsung's event kicking off at the top of the hour, here's everything you need to know in one place:

• Our Galaxy XR hub
• Rumored specs for the Galaxy XR
• A review of the latest Apple Vision Pro that the Galaxy XR is looking to topple

Oh, and here's the news from last December when Samsung first confirmed it was working on this headset.

We're underway

The event begins — with an audience — as a Samsung executive recaps Samsung's efforts to bring AI to more devices. "Now we're ready to fully expand our horizons," he says.

Many devices

Samsung expects a lot of different devices — headsets, glasses (both AR and XR varieties) — with each one built for specific tasks. And this event marks the first step in Samsung's commitment to this new platform.

The Galaxy XR is officially introduced.

Galaxy XR hands-on

I don't want to undercut Samsung's presentation, but if you want to skip ahead for all the details — and some first impressions — here's Mark Spoonauer's Galaxy XR hands-on.

What's at the heart of XR

Gemini is on board the Galaxy XR headset, and Samsung teamed up with Google to make sure the AI assistant is aware of your surroundings. Samsung also put an emphasis on making the headset comfortable. This is all preamble to brining on Google and Qualcomm to talk about their contributions to this device.

Google apps re-imagined

Google's Sharham Izadi is talking about the efforts to optimize Google's built-in apps for the Samsung XR headset and Android XR platform. (You can get more details in our Galaxy XR news story.) And Gemini on-board the headset is a big part of the Android XR story.

Snapdragon's role

Ziad Asghar of Qualcomm is here to talk about the Snapdragon X2 Plus Gen 2 chipset powering the headset. You get efficient rendering, a powerful neural engine and high-resolution — I believe the chipset supports 4K resolution as a matter of fact.

Galaxy XR details

Now we're getting more into the Galaxy XR experience, which is promising immersive graphics and audio. A video's explaining how the headset tracks your eyes and understands head and hand movements. In addition to gestures, there are also voice controls — that's how you're interacting with Gemini.

Multimodal AI meets XR

Samsung and Google are really emphasizing the multimodal capabilities of the headset and its software, and now we're getting into some of the experiences.

In the first demo, we're seeing a Google Map display offering aerial and street views. As you're looking at the map, you can ask Gemini about what you're seeing — pizza recommendations for a particular neighborhood in New York, for example.

Samsung is also emphasizing that the video the person wearing the headset is seeing is much sharper than the simulation visible to the rest of us — the limits of headset demos, I suppose.

Circle to Search

Circle to Search works on the Galaxy XR headset — both with virtual images and via the passthrough view that lets you circle objects in the real world with gestures.

Creative tools

Now we're getting a demo of the Veo 3 video creation tool and the Galaxy XR headset, with a Google executive giving prompts to create a video on that headset. And to show off the multitasking capabilities, we've now switched to Photos where photos are being spatialized and turned into video. The point is there's a lot of processing power on this device.

More apps on Galaxy XR

Almost any app available in the Play Store for mobile should work on the Galaxy XR, but some apps have been optimized for Android XR, and the platform even boasts a few apps custom built for XR. We're getting a demo of a video editing app in case you want to add graphics and filters to a video before posting it to YouTube. And yes, Gemini can pitch in with suggestions

More multitasking

The home view on the XR includes windows for each of the apps you run. And if they start looking too cluttered, you can ask Gemini to organize them for you.

Oh, and that Veo-generated video we started creating a little while back is ready now; Gemini's even adding narration.

Entertainment content

We're getting a YouTube demo, which is highlight spatial videos — VR 180 and VR 360 videos. As with the Vision Pro, you can have a customized background as you watch videos on your Galaxy XR.

Immersive sports and movies

You can watch sports in multi-view on the Galaxy XR. Netflix is also available on Galaxy XR, allowing you to resize windows.

Samsung is touting an interactive element, too, with something called Asteroid, which features DK Metcalf and Hailee Steinfeld. The interactivity isn't really coming across in the demo, though apparently it can switch between languages on the fly.

Video hands-on

While Samsung talks about some of the video-watching features on the Galaxy XR, here's one of our videos — specifically a hands-on with the headset.

Gaming on Galaxy XR

You can game on Galaxy XR if you want, and Gemini can join you as in-game companion offering tips on how to play. (The demo features advice for mastering Stardew Valley, including web searches as you're playing that can provide even more tutorials.)

You can connect with friends on the headset and share your screen so that you can play along with other people. And if the people you're talking to have headsets of their own, you can appear as an avatar, another feature that seems reminiscent of what the Vision Pro offers.

Controllers do exist

Most of these demos have been touch-controlled, bu there are optional controllers. You can also hook up a gamepad to the Galaxy XR if you want. Other accessories include an optional carry case.

More hands-on videos

Here's another Galaxy XR hands-on video, this time with Mark Spoonauer showing off the headset.

Business uses

Most of this presentation has been about how general users can get the most out of the Galaxy XR, but Samsung expects there are uses for business, too. We've got an anesthesiologist on stage at the moment talking about the headset can help with training.

Pricing

The Galaxy XR is now available in the US and Korea, and that's it, apparently. The device costs $1,799 — which is much less than the Apple Vision Pro costs. Like, $1,700 specifically.

And there's more

When you buy a Galaxy XR, you get a year of Google AI Pro, plus YouTube Premium for 12 months. US users get YouTube TV for $1/month for three months, and there's a six-month package for Korean customers. NBA League Pass is available for free for the just started NBA season, and you'll get 12 months of Google Play Pass.

This seems to be Samsung and Google's way of showing off some of the better features — streaming, gaming — on the Galaxy XR.

Glasses on the horizon

"Samsung's role is to take innovation to scale and move the concept of XR to everyday life," a Samsung executive says. And yes, there will be smart glasses built with Google coming soon. Warby Park and Gentle Monster will be involved in introducing new devices, as well.

And a glasses hype video sees us out.

Seeing is believing

Here's a look at one of the Google Gemini demos that was part of tonight's Galaxy XR launch, courtesy of our own Kate Kozuch.

Galaxy XR vs. Apple Vision Pro

Let's look at some of the key differences between the Galaxy XR and Apple Vision Pro headsets in this video.

Our early verdict

We've spent some time with the new Galaxy XR headset, and you can find our initial verdict in our hands-on review of the device.

Global Editor in Chief Mark Spoonauer feels that it builds on the Apple Vision Pro by delivering a much lighter and more comfortable design alongside AI that's actually helpful. And it does it all for a much cheaper price.

Despite this, eye tracking and performance still didn't feel as smooth as Apple's option but at $1,700 less, will many people really complain about that?

• Read the full story: Samsung Galaxy XR hands-on: A lighter, cheaper and smarter Vision Pro

Gemini integration could be the selling point

While Apple Intelligence on the Vision Pro has been a bit lacking, Samsung is clearly hoping that integration with Gemini will be a selling point for this headset. During our time with the headset, we say Gemini interact with different apps.

For example, within the Google Maps app, you can ask Gemini Live to take you to a certain location and then ask about restaurants you might want to visit. Or if you’re playing a game like Stardew Valley, you can ask Gemini for tips as you play along. You're not pulled out of the game — Gemini will give you help without having to open up a separate app.

'It gives you this kind of superpower'

As part of the Galaxy XR launch, our Mark Spoonauer spoke to Kihwan Kim, Samsung executive vice president and head of the Immersive S/W R&D Group, and Sharham Izadi, vice president and GM of AR/X at Google. The interview with Samsung and Google covers the Galaxy XR headset and who it's for, the importance of Gemini and the future direction of mixed devices.

Galaxy XR deals: Meet the Explorer Pack

Samsung is the only place where you can buy a Galaxy XR headset at the moment, and there's no discount on the $1,799 price (unless you happened to register ahead of time to nab that $100 credit). But Samsung is including a package of extras for people buying the Galaxy XR this year, and it adds up to quite a lot of subscription services for free.

The Galaxy XR Explorer pack, included with every purchase, features year-long subscriptions to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium and Google Play Pass. U.S. customers also enjoy three months of YouTube TV, and a subscription to NBA League Pass for the 2025/2026 season that just tipped off.

In addition, the Explorer Pack features complimentary app downloads like the Asteroid interactive movie featured during the Galaxy XR launch and the NFL Pro Era video game. You also get 12-month subscriptions to the Calm meditation app and Adobe's Project Pulsar 3D video editing tool.

The idea behind the Explorer Pack is that it highlights the kind of experiences you're likely to enjoy in XR — playing games, watching sports and shows and creating videos. The Galaxy AI Pro subscription is especially key, as Gemini is really at the heart of the Android XR experience that powers Samsung's headset.

All told, Samsung figures the included subscriptions and apps in the Explorer Pack will save you up to $1,140, which is not an insignificant amount of cash when you've already spent $1,799 on a headset.

Samsung's hugely anticipated Galaxy XR headset is nearly here, set to rival the all-new Apple Vision Pro M5, and Apple could have a tough fight on its hands.

With Samsung set to hold a "Worlds Wide Open" Galaxy event all about its upcoming Android XR-based headset on October 21, we'll finally hear all there is to know about the long-teased device. Fittingly timed, seeing as the Apple Vision Pro with M5 is set to launch on October 22.

However, thanks to leaks and hands-on time with the Galaxy XR, we now have a good idea of what it will deliver and how it compares to the new Vision Pro. It's clear that the two premium headsets are set to go head-to-head, and I'm here to break down what we know about both devices to find out which will come out on top.

It's Samsung vs Apple, Android XR vs visionOS and headset vs headset in this all-out brawl to see which mixed-reality device will win. Let's dive into the specs and features that we know about the Samsung Galaxy XR and Apple Vision Pro M5.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Specs

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Price and availability

Price plays a major factor for the latest generation of mixed-reality headsets, and it appears Samsung may have the upper hand with the Galaxy XR.

While the cost of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy XR headset is still in question, we've heard that it could be priced between $1,800 and $2,900 USD, according to a Korean news outlet. Of course, we'd like to see it less than $2,000, but even at its higher-end rumored price, that beats Apple's latest headset.

The Apple Vision Pro with M5 starts at $3,499, which is exactly the same price as the first-gen Apple Vision Pro. While there is no price increase, it's still far more expensive than the speculated price of Samsung's XR headset.

Already, the Galaxy XR device looks to be a more cost-effective headset compared to the M5 Vision Pro, even if there's still a large gap between it and the most popular mixed-reality headsets around, the $499 Meta Quest 3 and $299 Quest 3S.

We'll find out more about Project Moohan's price and launch during the Samsung Galaxy Event taking place at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m PT on October 21. Otherwise, the Apple Vision Pro M5 is set to hit shelves on October 22, and is available to pre-order right now on Apple's website.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Design

Right off the bat, the Galaxy XR headset shares a few things in common with the Apple Vision Pro. That includes the sleek, curved glass front panel and modular design, but with Project Moohan having more of a head visor to cover your forehead.

Samsung's headset also features light blockers to enclose the viewing area (these can be taken out), along with a strap equipped with an adjustable knob to tighten the fit — similar to the Meta Quest Elite Strap.

More importantly, however, Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is looking to be more of a lightweight device compared to the M5 Vision Pro. According to leaks, the headset is set to weigh 18.2 ounces. That's similar to the Meta Quest 3 (17.6 ounces), and we're thrilled with the comfort and feel of that.

On the other hand, the Apple Vision Pro M5 shares the same design as its predecessor, including the same Light Seal and Light Seal Cushion that attach magnetically to the device.

However, the latest headset weighs 26.4 to 28.2 ounces. That's heavier than the first Vision Pro (21.2 to 22.9 ounces), and considering that we felt the weight of Apple's mixed-reality headset during long periods, Samsung's Galaxy XR takes the advantage.

At least the Vision Pro M5 comes with an all-new Dual Knit Band, which features upper and lower straps that are 3D-knitted as a single piece to create a unique dual-rib structure. According to Apple, this provides cushioning, breathability and stretch, and it comes as standard for the new headset.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Displays

The Apple Vision Pro offers extreme detail in its visuals, thanks to its micro-OLED display that deliver 3,386 PPI (pixels per inch). With the M5 model, we'll now see frame rates at up to 120Hz, which means smoother visuals along with its super-realistic video pass-through.

Plus, the upgraded M5 model can render 10% more pixels on the custom micro-OLED displays compared to the previous generation. That means a sharper image with crisper text and more detailed visuals.

But Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is expected to boast a micro-OLED display with 4,032 PPI, delivering even greater image clarity over the Vision Pro. In fact, that's nearly 650 pixels per inch higher, which is an impressive feat considering how good Apple's headset handles on-screen visuals.

Project Moohan is also tipped to pack support for up to 4.3K resolution in each eye running at 90 frames per second (FPS). We'd like to see it go higher, seeing as the original Vision Pro could crack 100Hz, but either way, Samsung's XR headset should have incredible visual clarity, along with the seamless pass-through features of its rival.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Navigation

Both the Samsung Galaxy XR headset and Apple Vision Pro M5 can be used with hand gestures, such as using hands to scroll, pinching to select apps and more. Each headset is expected to work similarly, with hand-tracking that requires no need for controllers.

That said, reports have indicated that the Galaxy XR will come with two Galaxy XR controllers with 6 DoF and analog sticks, similar to the Meta Quest Touch controllers. If accurate, having the option to use controllers or just your hands is a big win, especially when playing VR/MR games.

That doesn't mean the Apple Vision Pro M5 can't be used with controllers, as it supports PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers and the Logitech Muse digital pencil. But these controllers aren't included with the Vision Pro, so while they are options, it isn't necessarily an added benefit unless you invest in them.

Regardless, gestures are the main way to control these headsets, but Project Moohan having its own dedicated controllers will give it more ways to interact with apps and games. Hopefully, they come included as well.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Performance

Apple's M-series chips chips power the best laptops and best tablets around, so it's hardly surprising that its M5 chip will see massive performance gains in its updated Vision Pro headset. But the Galaxy XR has Qualcomm on its side, as it's been tipped to feature a Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 processor.

To put that into perspective, the Meta Quest 3 and 3S come equipped with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, which offers enough power to play Batman: Arkham Shadow, Asgard's Wrath 2 and plenty more high-scale VR and MR games. with the "Plus" variant, we can expect an even bigger boost in performance.

For one, we can expect 15% increased GPU frequency and 20% increased CPU frequency compared to the XR2 Gen 2 chip. Moreover, it's set to support 12 concurrent cameras, just like the Vision Pro, and offer room-scale screens, life-size overlays and virtual desktops.

That's a good sign of the power to expect from the Galaxy XR headset. But the M5 chip is no slouch either.

With M5, boasting a 3nm architecture, a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, we'll be getting greater hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, even though the M2-equipped Vision Pro could already pull off some stunning details in apps and games.

The Apple M5 chip is poised to be stronger (we'll be doing lab tests to benchmark its performance), but considering the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 is a step up from what's in the hugely popular Quest 3, there's a lot to look forward to from the Galaxy XR.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: OS

Android XR will take center stage with Galaxy XR, marking the first XR device to deliver Google's new operating system for mixed reality headsets. Interestingly, we expect it to come in Samsung's One UI aesthetic, with supported apps like Google Maps, YouTube, Netflix and Samsung's camera and photo gallery apps icons.

From what we've seen, Android XR is expected to deliver a more immersive experience in the apps we generally use on smartphones or tablets. For example, in YouTube, you should be able to watch 180- and 360-degree videos. There's also the ability to watch YouTube videos in 3D.

Another example is Google Photos, with images being able to be viewed in more depth, while in Google Maps, you can leap into an immersive view of a map and get a 3D bird's eye view of the area. Think of it as the apps your familiar with, but with an mixed-reality twist for more immersion.

So far, this somewhat mimcs what visionOS 26 pulls off. That includes spatial photos for a 3D-like effect, 360-degree videos that you can jump into, shared AR experiences and more. The layout of visionOS is also similar to what you'd find on macOS, just with that XR influence.

Importantly, the M5 Vision Pro is primed for Apple Intelligence and Siri integration, although we still haven't seen the full effect of Apple's AI on most of its devices, seeing as it's behind it's competition. That leaves plenty of room to see what Google has up its sleeve.

Galaxy XR will fully integrate Gemini Live, and the AI-powered assistant is already looking to impress from what we've seen. On the Galaxy XR headset, it can be used to ask about anything with great results. For example, when Tom's Guide's Philip Michaels asked about the Arena Coleseo in Mexico City, it promptly brought up information, such as upcoming lucha libre matches were being held. Plus, when he asked Gemini, it even went to the YouTube app to bring up videos on these lucha libre matches

These operating systems are made for spatial computing, meaning you can bring up adjustable screens and working in documents, scroll through websites and check out apps all within the headset, and all with video pass-through. They're quite similar, but the latest visionOS does offer improved Personas, offering a (somewhat) realistic digital representation of the user during video calls (even though it still looks a tad jarring, personally).

In any case, it's looking like Android XR with its integrated Gemini AI will have a lot to show off, and may give visionOS some trouble considering the limitations of Apple Intelligence as of late.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Battery

Battery can make or break an XR headset, even if it can be plugged into a power adapter to be used continuously. Being able to move around is nice, but you'll still be tethered to a cord with both of these headsets.

The M5 Vision Pro claims to have an improved 2.5 hours of battery life for general use, along with 3 hours of video playback. That said, expect to still carry around its battery pack to actually use it.

As for the Galaxy XR headset, it mirrors that first-gen Vision Pro, with up to 2 hours of general use, 2.5 hours of video playback. And leaked images show a battery being required at all times.

Of course, we'd have to test these out these claims ourselves, as different apps and usage can deliver various results. What's more, Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor could bring better power efficiency to the Galaxy XR.

Samsung Galaxy XR vs Apple Vision Pro M5: Outlook

Samsung's Galaxy XR headset has been a long time coming. and given its expected price, specs and Android XR features, it looks like it could be a very strong Apple Vision Pro rival. The Gemini AI integration alone is a big differentiator for Samsung.

With its M5 update, the Apple Vision Pro offers improved performance, battery life and comfort, but its $3,499 price tag still leaves a lot to be desired. If Samsung's devicecomes in at its rumored price range, the Android XR-based headset should see a lot more interest.

Both headsets show just how far spatial computing has come, but it's clear Samsung's upcoming Galaxy XR headset is taking the fight to Apple, and it may just come out on top. Stay tuned for our full reviews.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple Vision Pro is getting new 'immersive' content and it's putting people courtside at the Lakers
• I just went podracing in Star Wars: Beyond Victory — and it’s one of the most addictive mixed reality game I’ve ever played
• M5 Apple Vision Pro vs M2 Apple Vision Pro: All the biggest upgrades

The Apple Vision Pro with M5 has arrived, and it's available for exactly the same price as Apple's first headset with M2. But don't expect that price to drop with a trade-in, as there's no option available.

On its store page, the upgraded M5 Vision Pro is available to pre-order, with the headset officially set to launch on October 22. Prices start at $3,499, meaning there's no price bump over the first-gen headset, but the original Vision Pro isn't available for trade-in.

While it's great to hear that Apple hasn't increased the price of its more powerful M5 headset, Apple's steep $3,499 price for the updated Vision Pro continues the problems it had with its first take on a spatial computing device. Being able to trade in the older Vision Pro would drop that price down to make for a more valuable upgrade, but that isn't the case here.

Usually, Apple offers trade-in options for its iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac products, giving customers a way to save on the latest models while getting rid of their older devices. As for one of the Cupertino tech giant's most expensive devices, though, the Vision Pro doesn't make the cut.

Now that the first Apple Vision Pro with M2 has been discontinued with the arrival of the upgraded M5 headset, and with no trade-in path to take, those with the first-gen device looking for an upgrade will either have to pay full price or look for another way to sell the original headset.

Who is the Vision Pro with M5 for?

More from Tom's Guide

• Samsung to hold Project Moohan Android XR headset event — here’s what we know
• iPad Pro M5 vs. iPad Pro M4 — the biggest upgrades
• M5 MacBook Pro vs M4: 3 big upgrades you need to know about

Apple finally announced its upgraded Apple Vision Pro with M5, an updated spatial computing headset that aims to deliver a leap in performance, battery life, display rendering and even comfort with the new Dual Knit Band. So, how does it stack up against the first Apple Vision Pro with M2?

At first glance, not a whole lot has changed in an M5 Apple Vision Pro vs M2 Apple Vision Pro comparison. The latest Vision Pro comes with the same design (aside from the new headband), micro-OLED displays, cameras, sensors and more. But there are improvements here that count, and it's not just with the improvements the M5 chip offers.

It's clear that the M5-equipped Apple Vision Pro will see huge performance gains over its predecessor, but there are still features we hoped to see over the very first Vision Pro worth considering. The main question is, does Apple's M5 Vision Pro upgrade make the headset worth its lofty price?

We'll learn more once we get our hands on (and head in) Apple's latest headset. But for now, let's dive into the biggest differences between the M5 Vision Pro and M2 Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Apple Vision Pro M2: Specs

Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Apple Vision Pro M2: Price and availability

The Apple Vision Pro with M5 starts at $3,499, which is exactly the same price as the first-gen headset. That means you're getting upgraded performance, specs and the (hopefully) comfier Dual Knit Band without any price jumps, which is always welcome.

Like the original, the latest headset comes in different storage sizes, including 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, with prices going as high as $3,899. Plus, there's the option to get optical inserts for prescription, which adds another $149 to the cost.

It's great to hear that Apple hasn't increased the price of its more powerful M5 headset, but $3,499 is still a steep ask. By the way, there's no trade-in available for the new Vision Pro headset, so expect to pay full price if you're after an upgrade.

Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Apple Vision Pro M2: Design

Take away the headband, and the Vision Pro with M5 hasn't changed compared to the Vision Pro with M2. That includes its sleek, curved glass front panel and modular design, and you'll find the same Light Seal and Light Seal Cushion that attach magnetically to the device.

However, a quick look at the new headset's weight compared to the M2 Vision Pro reveals an unfortunate difference. The first-gen spatial computing headset weighs 21.2 to 22.9 ounces, while the latest headset weighs 26.4 to 28.2 ounces. That's worrying, as when we tested the original Vision Pro, we noted that it was heavy to wear over extended periods, so the next headset won't fix that issue at all.

Otherwise, the M5 Vision Pro comes with an all-new Dual Knit Band. This features upper and lower straps that are 3D-knitted as a single piece to create a unique dual-rib structure. Apple says this provides cushioning, breathability and stretch. Fortunately, this comes as standard for the new headset.

However, the Dual Knit Band is also sold separately for $99, meaning it can also be used for the previous-gen headset. The original Apple Vision Pro comes with the Solo Knit Band and the Dual Loop band, with the former being a stretchy single band that wraps around the back of your head, and the latter being quite like the new Dual Knit Band, providing more stability with a strap that goes across the top of your head and the back.

In any case, expect the same look and feel of Apple's latest headset as with the original Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Apple Vision Pro M2: Performance

The star of the show is the M5 chip in the updated Vision Pro, which will see huge performance gains over the M2 chip found in the first headset. The silicon is set to be optimized for visionOS 26 and new Apple Intelligence features.

The M5 chip is based on 3nm architecture, featuring a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. That's already a step up from the M2, which offers an 8-core CPU, but still a 10-core GPU. Both chipsets come with a 16-core Neural Engine for AI performance.

However, the advanced GPU brings support for greater hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, especially compared to the graphics power of the M2.

We expect the most immediate impact on day-to-day use to be multitasking improvements. On the current M2 chip, Vision Pro does experience moments of slowdown when you have multiple apps open, especially with visionOS 26.

The upgraded M5 model can render 10% more pixels on the custom micro-OLED displays compared to the previous generation. That means a sharper image with crisper text and more detailed visuals.

Also, unlike the original Vision Pro, which goes up to a 100Hz refresh rate, the new Vision Pro increases the refresh rate up to 120Hz for reduced motion blur when users look at their physical surroundings. That should also mean an even smoother experience when using Mac Virtual Display. If you're going all-in with Vision Pro for productivity, this improvement could be a massive advantage.

One feature we hoped to see was the rumored R2 chip make its way onto the M5 headset, but the new version is equipped with the same R1 as the first Vision Pro. This processes input from the cameras, microphones and sensors to the user in under 12 milliseconds, which is already fast. But for something a little more snappier, an R2 upgrade would have been nice to see.

Regardless, you'll be doing everything you would do on the Apple Vision Pro M2 as on the Vision Pro M5, but with faster performance, smoother refresh rates and sharper detail.

Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Apple Vision Pro M2: Battery

Thanks to the M5 chip and its better power efficiency, the updated Vision Pro should deliver improved battery life. That said, expect to still carry around its tethered battery pack.

The first headset is rated for 2 hours of battery life for general use, along with 2.5 hours of video playback. In our testing, after 2 hours, the Vision Pro was down to about 60% and then down to 40% after another couple hours.

As for the M5 Vision Pro, Apple claims it will have an improved 3 hours of battery life, along with 2.5 hours of video playback. That's not the biggest improvement, but getting more time out of the headset isn't something to sneeze at.

Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Apple Vision Pro M2: Outlook

While the Apple Vision Pro with M5 comes with hugely welcome upgrades, it isn't a major overhaul over the first-gen Apple Vision Pro.

We'll be putting all this to the test once we get our hands on the updated headset, but in the meantime, the Apple Vision Pro lives on with a fresh upgrade. As for everything else Apple had up its sleeve for its big October announcement, check out the all-new M5 MacBook Pro and M5 iPad Pro.

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Apple Vision Pro has been given a long-overdue performance boost with Apple confirming today (October 15) the spatial computing headset is receiving the brand new M5 chip alongside a refined Dual Knit Band for more comfort.

The upgraded Vision Pro joins the new MacBook Pro and iPad Pro which will also benefit from the chip. But the good news is we won't see a price increase for this new model.

Starting at $3,499, the new Vision Pro will be available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. Pre-orders for the upgraded Vision Pro (are we calling this Vision Pro 2?) will start today for the U.S. and U.K. with general availability coming on Wednesday, October 22.

This latest version improves performance, display rendering, battery life, and comfort and will be able to make the most of new features revealed with visionOS 26 as well as Apple's Immersive content.

The bad news? Apple hasn't been able to reduce the weight of the device which was the one thing I really disliked about Vision Pro when I tried it last year. In fact, this new version increases the weight to 26.4 to 28.2 ounces over the previous model which weighs 21.2 to 22.9 ounces.

However, adding the M5 chip will turbocharge the abilities of the Vision Pro and, according to Apple, the upgraded model can render 10 per cent more pixels on the custom micro-OLED displays compared to the previous generation. That means a sharper image with crisper text and more detailed visuals.

The new Vision Pro can also increase the refresh rate up to 120Hz for reduced motion blur when users look at their physical surroundings, and an even smoother experience when using Mac Virtual Display. If you're going all-in with Vision Pro for productivity, this could be a massive advantage.

Probably, the most immediate impact on day-to-day use will be the multitasking improvements. On the current M2 chip, Vision Pro does experience moments of slowdown when you have multiple apps open.

Furthermore, the M5 chip efficiency will have a knock-on effect on battery life with Apple saying the new Vision Pro will now support up to two and a half hours of general use, and up to three hours of video playback on a single charge.

Dual Knit Band

As well as boosting the performance, Apple's upgraded Vision Pro now features a Dual Knit Band that "delivers an even more comfortable fit for users".

The band features upper and lower straps that are 3D-knitted as a single piece to create a unique dual-rib structure. Apple says this gives cushioning, breathability, and stretch.

While this will come as standard on the newer Vision Pro, it's also available to purchase separately (for $99) and will be compatible with the first generation Vision Pro. It uses a dual-function Fit Dial that allows users to make adjustments to achieve their ideal fit. So, while it comes in small, medium and large sizings, each wearer should be able to find the fit that works best for them.

What's missing?

If I'm being critical, beyond just a reduction in weight, there's perhaps more Apple could have done here. Some rumors suggested a new R2 chip was in the pipeline, which could shoulder more of the input processes from the device's 12 cameras.

The current R1 takes data not just from the cameras but also the six microphones to stream the end result to your eyeballs in under 12 milliseconds. Now, it's unlikely the average user will notice an improvement on 12 milliseconds, so we can probably forgive Apple this one.

And while it's good news that Apple hasn't increased the price, it's still a $3,499 headset and any hope of a slight price reduction are a long way from happening yet. Finally, Apple still hasn't found a way to sever the device from its tethered battery pack. When that day finally happens, I predict Vision Pro fans will take to the streets in celebration.

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It feels like Samsung’s been working on Project Moohan for what seems forever at this point, but we're not going to have to wait much longer for the mixed reality headset. Samsung just shared details about its next Galaxy event dubbed Worlds Wide Open, which is slated for Tuesday, October 21.

That’s when we expect to see the wraps taken off the Android XR powered headset that Samsung has been working on in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. While mixed reality experiences are expected to shape this headset, Samsung is betting on multimodal AI experiences to sell the power of what this headset is capable of doing.

This is actually a virtual event that will be streamed on Samsung’s website and YouTube channel, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m PT on October 21. (In the UK, the event will be taking place on October 22 at 3 a.m. BST.) What’s strange about this all is the decision to hold this launch as a virtual event, instead of a live one much like Samsung's past Galaxy Unpacked events this year for the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Edge, and Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Samsung has posted a teaser video for its Project Moohan event, and while the video doesn't show off any hardware, it does simulate the experience of wearing the headset to demonstrate things like how it can overlay points of interest on a view of the real world, or call up stats and other details while you watch video.

Project Moohan is expected to go toe-to-toe against the Apple Vision Pro, but this product announcement could be overshadowed by something with a broader appeal — like an Android-powered version of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart sunglasses. Regardless, Samsung says that “Project Moohan blends everyday utility with immersive new experiences, unlocking a whole new dimension of possibility and setting a new benchmark for XR.”

There’s been a lot revealed about this headset. In fact, we had some hands-on time with the headset during Google I/O 2025 this past spring. We know that you control Project Moohan using hand gestures, such as a pinching motion to make selections and other gesture-based controls to scroll.

More of the hardware should be revealed at this event, like the display, which is rumored to use a pair of Sony 1.3-inch 4K OLED on Silicon panels. And just days ago, a specs leak indicated that Project Moohan is going to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 SoC. It's also believed that Project Moohan will weigh 2 to 3 ounces less than Apple's headset.

One of the biggest unknowns about Project Moohan is its price, which could be the one thing that could make or break the headset. Given the hefty cost of the Apple Vision Pro, Samsung could surprise all of us by undercutting its rival in this area. For those eager about this headset, Samsung’s offering a $100 credit for those who make a reservation right now.

It's already been a busy year for Samsung, with three high-profile phone launches and now the Project Moohan event. And Samsung may not be done, as there's a strong possibility that its rumored Galaxy Z Tri-Fold phone could debut before the end of 2025.

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If you've been waiting for the next best VR headset to release, Valve may just have the next-gen device coming to shelves soon. The successor to the Valve Index has been hinted at being in the works, and rumors are pointing to a Valve "Steam Frame."

Also known as Valve Deckard, rumors of the next-gen virtual reality headset from the Bellevue gaming company have been swirling. But the new device is no mere speculation, as Valve has been talking about developing a new VR headset for a while. Even CEO Gabe Newell confirmed "new headsets and games" are set to arrive.

It's believed that the upcoming headset will be named "Steam Frame." With Meta now focusing its efforts on smart glasses such as its Meta Ray-Ban Display, leaving the Meta Quest 4 and Asus ROG "Tarius" VR headset to a possible later date, all eyes are on what Valve's cooking up.

And we may not have to wait much longer to find out. For all the latest details on Valve's next-gen VR headset, here's what you need to know about the rumored Steam Frame.

Valve Steam Frame: Rumored price and release date

The leading question on the Steam Frame is a simple one: "When will it launch?" Over the past year, all rumors have been pointing to the end of 2025. That means we'll hopefully see it soon.

Most recently, the Chinese analyst group XR Research Institute (via UploadVR) has reported that the Steam Frame has entered mass production. That's a good sign that Valve is getting ready to announce the headset soon, but the group also notes that it's reportedly set to launch this year. This is further backed up by Valve tipster Gabe Follower on X, who claimed the new headset should be released by the end of 2025 back in February.

Apparently, the VR device will cost around $1,200 / £950 / AU$1,900, leading many to believe this will be more of a premium PC VR gaming headset. However, since the leak came from much earlier this year, that cost may change, especially considering tariffs.

According to the XR Research Institute, an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 units per year are expected to be in production. Not only does this further confirm the likelihood of a premium headset, but it also shows that Valve is looking to reveal a different kind of VR headset compared to the more affordable (and popular) Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S — with these expected to have at least been sold in the millions.

While the Steam Frame may be expected to launch over the next few months, it's hard to predict when this announcement will happen. Many initially believed it would be revealed during Meta Connect 2025, with many popular VR YouTubers teasing a new reveal. As you can tell, this didn't happen.

For context, the Valve Index was announced in April 2019, with the VR headset releasing a couple of months later at the end of June. Valve may have a different timeframe in mind with its Steam Frame, so now, only time will tell when we'll see Valve release its upcoming headset.

Valve Steam Frame: Features

It's still up in the air what kind of VR headset the Steam Frame will be, and the specs it will offer. However, considering its expected price and what the Valve Index brings to the table, it gives us a good idea of what the next-gen VR headset could deliver.

Leaker Gabe Follower suggested it would be a new standalone wireless headset, expected to run SteamOS like the Steam Deck (and Lenovo Legion Go S, for that matter). Moreover, there are also talks of a SteamVR Link Wireless Dongle on Reddit to wirelessly connect the Steam Frame to a PC to allow for higher-quality VR gaming.

Valve's Steam Frame could be like a premium version of the Meta Quest 3, but with more gaming-centric features, unlike the Meta Quest Pro. If that's the case, we would expect a higher 1440p resolution (given the Quest 3S is a higher resolution than Index), faster 120Hz refresh rate and smaller, more ergonomic controllers.

Speaking of, we've seen leaked details on the tipped Roy VR controllers, and reliable tipster SadlyItsBradley on X showed renders of what they will look like. Apparently, the Roy controllers may have a full gamepad's worth of buttons. That includes a Dpad, bumpers, triggers, grip buttons, ABXY buttons and system button, along with "some sort of strap." This hints at a device that you can use as a normal controller when not in VR.

But there's another piece to the puzzle: Valve's rumored Steam Console. Codenamed "Fremont," there's reason to believe the VR headset could launch alongside the home console, with the two devices being able to connect. This would be an interesting twist, but this is purely speculation.

In any case, with Valve trademaking new hardware called "Steam Frame," and SadlyItsBradley confirming that Valve is "rebranding SteamVR 'Overlays' to 'Frames,'" it's clear that this "Frame" will be linked to VR in some manner.

Otherwise, we'll have to wait and see what Valve's next VR headset can do once the company (finally) announces its expected device.

Valve Steam Frame: Worth the wait?

It's been six years since we've seen a new VR headset from Valve, with the Index launching in 2019. That's left a lot of breathing space for VR to grow, with the Meta Quest 3 leading the charge. If Valve's latest products are anything to go by, with the success of the Steam Deck and SteamOS on some of the best handheld gaming consoles, the Steam Frame is sure to impress.

We hope to see a launch very soon, especially as rumors point to a fall 2025 release at the earliest. I'll be keeping track of the latest rumors and news on Valve's rumored VR headset, so stay tuned for more up-to-date details.

In the meantime, find out the latest on another rumored VR headset, the Meta Quest 4, and what Valve may be planning for the Steam Deck 2.

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Samsung's long-teased 'Project Moohan' or Galaxy XR headset has been rumored to launch before the end of October, but the tech giant has been reluctant to share specs for the new device.

A leak from Android Headlines may have given us a last-minute peek at Moohan's specs, including a 4K-microOLED display with 4,032 pixels per inch. That's nearly 650 pixels per inch higher than the 3,386ppi on the Apple Vision Pro.

Here are the specs according to Android Headlines:

According to the report, the headset will have several sensors on the inside and front of the devices, which should enable voice, hand, and eye controls. My colleague Philip Micheals experienced the device during a Project Moohan hands-on demo at Google I/O in May.

It should be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, which we've been expecting since 2024.

The headset is supposedly going to weigh 19.2 ounces (545 grams), 2 to 3 ounces less than Apple's headset.

Galaxy XR may get up to two hours of battery lfie, or 2.5 hours of video playback. Some of the claimed "official" renders show a battery pack, which should add an hour or two but it's not revealed how much.

One interesting feature that we really haven't seen at the various tradeshows Samsung has displayed the device is the UI, which looks to have a One UI aesthetic. One screensheet shows various apps including Google Maps, YouTube, Netflix and Samsung's camera and photo gallery apps icons.

We also haven't really seen controllers before now but apparently Moohan will come with two controllers with 6 DoF and analog sticks. They look similar to the Meta Quest Touch controllers.

Other details include an adjustable headstrap, cushioning on the inside of the headset, detachable light shields and at least two speakers.

Some information is missing, like connectivity and storage. For comparison, the Vision Pro has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It also has different storage options from 256GB to 1TB with 16GB of RAM.

I expect Samsung's headset will have similar options.

Release date and pricing

Previous rumors have suggested that Samsung will launch its Galaxy XR headset in Korea on October 21. It's not clear if that's just a home country launch or a global release.

Pricing rumors have been all over the place with one Korean publication claiming the headset will cost between 2.5 and 4 million won (about $1,800 and $2,900 USD). Anything in that range would be cheaper than the $3,500 Vision Pro, but still far more expensive than the $500 Meta Quest 3.

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Valve's next VR headset may be preparing to launch before the end of 2025, with a new report claiming the rumored "Steam Frame" has entered mass production.

The next-gen VR headset, also referenced as Valve Deckard, is reportedly set to launch this year. This comes from the Chinese analyst group XR Research Institute (via UploadVR), who claim production has already begun on the headset, and we can expect 400,000 to 600,000 units per year.

As noted, this puts it along the same numbers as the Apple Vision Pro at around 400,000 units, after production had been cut. This points to more of a niche headset, and likely a pricey one, especially compared to the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, which are at least set to be in the millions.

Rumors of Valve's "Steam Frame" have been ramping up, with many recently believing it would be revealed during Meta Connect 2025. This didn't come to be, but the VR headset had also been rumored to launch by the end of 2025 before. According to known leaker Gabe Follower on X, it will apparently be priced around $1,200 / £950 / AU$1,900.

If the report is true, it's looking more likely that we'll finally see the long-rumored Valve VR headset. Recently, tipster SadlyItsBradley on X confirmed that Valve rebranded "SteamVR 'Overlays' to 'Frames,'" and seeing as Valve trademarked the "Steam Frame" moniker, it's likely that the next piece of hardware will be all about VR gaming.

A standalone VR headset?

Of course, it's worth taking this in with a pinch of salt, seeing as the "Steam Frame" was rumored to be revealed back in September. However, now that it's reported to have entered mass production, it's a good sign that the VR headset is well on its way.

We've seen many rumors of Valve's next headset, with a Valve product designer seemingly confirming work on a VR headset in an interview. The question is, will it be a standalone headset to take on the Meta Quest 3, or a headset that takes advantage of a link to a PC?

Rumors of a SteamVR Link Wireless Dongle on Reddit via TweakTown to wirelessly connect the "Steam Frame" to a PC to allow for higher-quality VR gaming, and SadlyItsBradley has also unveiled what the Roy controllers may look like.

In any case, it may not be much longer until we find out. Valve is expected to have many hugely anticipated products in the works, including its Steam Deck 2 and a new Steam "Fremont" console. But for now, we'll be keeping an eye out for a "Steam Frame" announcement.

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It's becoming increasingly likely that Apple is gearing up for an October launch, as a recent U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) leak has accidentally revealed details on all-new Pro devices.

According to the FCC documents (spotted by MacRumors), Apple has filed several model numbers that reference many of its rumored upcoming products, including the anticipated M5 MacBook Pro, M5 iPad Pro and an updated Apple Vision Pro 2.

The FCC is a U.S. regulatory agency that approves the use of communications on devices, with Apple needing to file its products before launch. As per the report, these documents had a confidentiality request from the Cupertino tech giant, but they have been accidentally leaked.

Usually, these documents are filed a few weeks prior to devices being announced, so it's a good sign that Apple is planning to unveil its next set of Pro products soon. Combine this with the M5 MacBook Pro models reportedly being close to mass production and the recent iPad Pro M5 unboxing leak, and all signs are pointing towards an Apple event happening in the near future.

Now that the FCC leak has given us an idea of the next devices from Apple, here's a look at what we can expect to be announced soon.

M5 MacBook Pro may be unveiled soon

One Apple product referenced in the FCC filings appears to be a MacBook Pro, which points to the anticipated M5 MacBook Pro. Only one model number was shown (A3434), even though we should see multiple numbers, seeing as MacBooks come in two sizes (14-inch and 16-inch for the MacBook Pro models).

This could mean that the M5 MacBook Pro models are set to arrive further down the line. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the next set of MacBook Pro models is about to enter mass production, and we should also expect to see M5, M5 Pro and M5 Max models in these laptops.

M5 iPad Pro should be on the way

Many of the model numbers in the FCC documents don't include product names, but the numbers themselves can be linked to known model numbers on current Apple devices. With this in mind, it's now expected that we'll be getting upgraded M5 iPad Pro models.

As per the documents, Apple has filed the following model numbers, which are expected to reference both the 11-inch and 13-inch M5 iPad Pros:

• A3357 — 11-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi)
• A3358 / A3359 — 11-inch iPad Pro (Cellular)
• A3360 — 13-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi)
• A3361 / A3362 — 13-inch iPad Pro (Cellular)

Seeing as these link to previous iPad Pro models, there's reason to believe these tablets will be the new M5-equipped iPad Pro devices. As further proof that we should see a next-gen tablet from Apple arrive soon, Russian YouTuber Wylascom allegedly leaked a full unboxing video of the M5 iPad Pro.

The YouTuber, who also leaked the M4 MacBook Pro weeks before it was announced, gave us a first-look at the tablet, along with benchmarks of the M5 chip (that so far, impress).

That is only a further sign that Apple is preparing to unveil its next-gen tablet soon, but for now, only expect a chip upgrade rather than a full redesign.

Next Apple Vision Pro

One of the FCC documents shares a reference to a "Head Mounted Device" from Apple, linked to model number A3416. While it doesn't specifically say it's a new Apple Vision Pro, an image that was also shown indicates a clear link to the headset.

Even though the file doesn't detail any specifications of the rumored mixed-reality headset, we can at least expect Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

The next Apple Vision Pro has been rumored for a while, expected to come with a new M5 Chip, a new Space Black color option and an upgraded R2 chip. With the FCC filing, we may see this arrive before the end of the year, but it could also launch by the start of 2026. If an October event is coming, it won't be long until we find out.

What are these Apple devices launching?

Many of the devices are expected to arrive by early 2026, with both Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believe the M5 MacBook Pro models will arrive sometime next year rather than later in 2025. Interestingly, Apple previously announced its M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models in January 2023, so there's a chance the next Pro models will follow suit.

In any case, it's believed that the iPad Pro M5 and Apple Vision Pro 2 will be the first to launch, which could happen as soon as October in an Apple fall event. If these FCC filings are accurate, then there's plenty of reason to believe we'll be seeing Apple's M5 chip debut in new devices, and soon.

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Apple Vision Pro may not have gotten an appearance (or even a mention) at the company's recent iPhone 17 launch event, but a new leak claims Apple Vision Pro 2 will get a crucial upgrade when it finally arrives.

According to a report in Taiwan's Commercial Times (via MacRumors), the $3,499 headset's 2026 update will include a new R2 chip tasked with input processing. The current Vision Pro features Apple's M2 chip alongside an R1.

Per Apple's own description, the R1 chip "processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones to ensure that content feels like it is appearing right in front of the user’s eyes in real time.

"R1 streams new images to the displays within 12 milliseconds — 8x faster than the blink of an eye."

With the Commercial Times reporting suggesting the R2 chip will be fabricated with TSMC's 2nm process (alongside the rumored A20 chip for iPhone and M6 for Macs) we can expect a significant jump in performance.

Apple hasn't revealed the architecture of the R1 chip, but it's believed to be built on a 3nm process, which was introduced with the A17 Pro in 2023 and will carry through to the upcoming M5 chips for the next generation of Macs and iPads.

A Vision Pro upgrade in October?

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We already know a great deal about Samsung's upcoming XR headset, which is set to rival the Apple Vision Pro. We even tried the Samsung Project Moohan headset ourselves a few months ago.

When the Project Moohan specs leaked, we had hoped that a release date would follow, but none was announced. Today, ET News reports that Samsung is planning to announce the headset on October 21 (which will actually be October 22 in Korea). The report didn't reveal how long it would take for Samsung to start selling the headset after the reveal, but we imagine the gap won't be too big.

We'd previously heard rumors of a September 29 launch for Project Moohan, but the latest report states that the company pushed it back due to "internal marketing strategy coordination and quality assurance." ET News also reported that Samsung plans to ship 100,000 units in its initial run, and it will adjust the quantity based on demand thereafter.

What we know about Project Moohan

The Project Moohan XR headset, which is the result of a partnership with Google, is powered by the Snapdragon XR Plus Gen 2 chipset, and the dual micro-OLED displays have a reported high resolution of 3552 x 3840 with support for advanced eye- and hand-tracking.

The device runs the Android XR platform, which includes tight integration with Google Gemini. You control Moohan with hand gestures. and our own Philip Michaels had a chance to try out various apps, including YouTube in 3D. You can also view spatial photos through the headset and check out immersive fly-overs of locations in Google Maps.

Plus, with Gemini on board, you can ask questions about various locations or anything you see on the screen, a big advantage over the Vision Pro.

Project Moohan possible price

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Alongside revealing the new Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses at this year's Connect, Meta also announced a new way to watch TVs and movies on its existing Quest headsets. The new "Horizon TV" hub will become the one-stop-shop for some of the best streaming services like Prime Video, Peacock, Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN.

We don't have much to go on, but the image below shared by Meta shows a list of streaming app tiles below what looks like algorithmically generated recommendations from each of the services. There's the ability to dive straight into a recommendation or add it to your watchlist.

That watchlist looks to be anchored to the Horizon hub, letting you mix and match a customised list drawn from whichever services you subscribe to. Across the top of the hub are options to quickly switch between Movies, TV Shows, Sports, Music and something labeled "Immersive."

Meta says it has partnered with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse to watch movies like "The Black Phone" and "M3GAN" on the Meta Quest with 3D effects enabled — which could be what it means by immersive.

It's worth pointing out Apple and Disney have a similar partnership for Apple Vision Pro. Although Horizon TV is reportedly getting an exclusive 3D clip from the upcoming "Avatar" movie added soon.

There are a lot of details we still don't know about Horizon TV, specifically which Quest headsets will be compatible and when it'll roll out.

Alongside the new hub, Meta said it will be making overall platform improvements that include eliminating letterboxing and displaying media in a correctly sized window based on its aspect ratio.

These improvements are sure to be welcomed by Quest owners. While the likes of the Meta Quest 3S excel for gaming, it's not as accomplished as the (admittedly much more expensive) Vison Pro when it comes to video content.

Check out our Meta Connect live blog for the latest announcements from Meta, including the newly announced Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses and Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses.

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Smart glasses may be all the rage at Meta Connect 2025, but some interesting things are happening in the Metaverse. The company announced a new tool called Hyperspace that can bring real spaces into the metaverse.

Hyperspace Capture uses cameras on your Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S headset to "capture" your real-world space in minutes. It can then create a "true-to-life" digital replica that you can visit.

"This is the first step in enabling our vision for photorealistic social teleportation," Meta said in a press release. Hyperspace is in beta and is rolling out gradually to Quest 3 and Quest 3S owners, aged 18 and up only, starting today.

Scan away

Meta showed off how the scanning works with rooms from celebrities like Chance the Rapper's living room and Gordon Ramsey's kitchen.

Once you have access, you should be able to scan your own physical space. Meta does not mention if you can capture outdoor spaces and all of the provided examples are only of interior rooms.

The company also said that you won't be able to visit other people's replicas yet, though that feature is coming soon. But if you have a Quest headset, you can check out the Hyperspace world,s including Chance's studio or The Octagon at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Horizon Engine and Horizon Studio

Beyond Hyperspace, Meta is introducing two platforms to help developers and creators build games and worlds.

"Our vision for the future is a world where anyone anywhere can imagine a character, a scene, or an entire world and create it from scratch," a press release reads.

Meta's Horizon Engine is meant to provide better graphics and faster performance for devs to "easily generate nearly infinite connected spaces with realistic physics and interactions." Meta says it was built from scratch and allows for greater concurrency so that up to "5x more people" can enjoy a single space than Meta's previous engine was capable of supporting.

Provide examples are giving very early World of Warcraft.

You'll mostly see this support in places like the new Arena for concerts or the redesigned Horizon Central hub.

The other tool, Meta Horizon Studio, is an editor and hub for creators. It comes with generative AI tools that can generate audio, textures, TypeScript, skyboxes and more via text prompts. Meta says it will soon add agentic AI assistants that will stitch tools together to make creating even faster.

The goal is get people build gaming worlds in minutes rather than days or months.

"It will dramatically lower the barrier to entry for creation without lowering the ceiling of what’s possible," Meta said.

Movies and Games

Meta is launching new entertainment hub called Horizon TV. To start, Disney Plus is coming to the hub. Additionally, Meta is partnering with Universal and Blumhouse to bring you horror movies like M3GAN and The Black Phone with "immersive special effects."

Over the summer at showcases like Summer Games Fest and GamesCom some VR titles were announced for the the Meta Quest VR headsets. The biggest title was probably Marvel's DeadPool VR.

But other titles are coming as well including ILM's Star Wars: Beyond Victory and Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked. Demeo is one of the best VR games for those who like tabletop RPGs. All of these games are coming this fall.

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With Meta Connect 2025 kicking off soon, we're gearing up to hear all about new smart glasses (including the rumored Ray-Ban Meta Display specs) from CEO Mark Zuckerberg during his big keynote. So, any room for a VR headset?

It makes sense that Meta is going all-in on next-gen smart glasses, combining AI and AR into a single set of frames. With the futuristic Rokid AR glasses and Snap Specs for consumers already showcasing what the future of smart glasses looks like, Meta is coming in hot to cross the finish line first with its own Meta "Hypernova" smart glasses.

But that appears to be at the detriment of Meta's usual focus: VR headsets. Despite last year's Connect showing off the highly popular Meta Quest 3S, this year's big show is looking to have one of Meta's key products missing. So, if you were hoping for a Meta Quest 4 to be revealed, I wouldn't bet on it.

That said, there's another VR headset that may get the spotlight instead, and while it may not be a next-gen Quest, it could be a VR headset made for gaming — and it comes from Asus. It's the one VR headset I've been keeping my eye on, and there's a big chance Meta could reveal the headset at Meta Connect 2025.

Don't expect a Meta Quest 4

There's been plenty of rumors around Meta Quest 4, and while it's been reported that Meta is already working on a new VR headset, there's still no official word that it's arriving any time soon.

Still, there's a strong indication that Meta is keeping its VR headset plans on hold. This year, Meta appears to be focused on all things smart glasses. That's for good reason, as the Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses already look to impress. However, hopes of a Meta Quest 4 are dwindling, as it's recently been rumored to arrive in 2027.

According to leakers Brad Lynch and Luna on X, Meta looks to switch the launch of the Quest 4 from next year to 2027 in favor of its new smart specs. Apparently, it's due to two planned prototype headsets, codenamed "Pismo Low" (a budget model similar to the Quest 3S) and "Pismo High" (a high-end headset akin to the Quest 3), being canceled. That, and having another headset come in its stead.

At the very least, we've seen hints of what the next Quest headset could offer. That includes new Meta prototype headsets that combine a goggle-like design with ultra-wide VR. Of course, we won't know until Zuckerberg spills the beans during the keynote, but perhaps there may be another VR headset on the way instead.

Now's the time for that Asus ROG VR headset

So, remember Meta announcing a partnership with Asus ROG to develop a "performance gaming headset" in 2024? Well, hardly anything has come of it since (aside from an interesting leak), but if there was ever a time for Meta to reveal a third-party headset that's not a Quest, Connect 2025 would be that time.

Earlier this year, the Asus ROG VR headset, codenamed "Tarius," was rumored to be the first third-party headset to ship with Meta Horizon OS. Just like the Meta Quest 3 and 3S, it would offer familiar features, menus and even VR games. Think of it like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally bringing Microsoft's own gaming UI to a third-party handheld, but this time with Meta's VR space.

That already makes for an exciting headset, as Horizon OS has become the de facto platform for easy navigation around virtual reality. But aside from Meta specifically stating that Asus "will use its expertise as a leader in gaming solutions to develop an all-new performance gaming headset," there are other specs to get excited about.

According to the leak from notable tipster Luna on X, the Asus ROG "Tarius" headset will feature eye-tracking and face-tracking, with either QD-LCD or micro-OLED displays. That, and local dimming to automatically adjust brightness in specific areas to improve picture quality.

With that, we could be getting fantastic visuals like other premium VR headsets, with visuals like the PSVR 2, albeit as a standalone gaming headset instead. That's pure speculation, though, as rumors for Asus' headset are few and far between.

Will Asus join the Meta party?

It's clear Meta has its sights set on smart glasses this year, and the Meta Connect 2025 event is geared towards showcasing how far the company has come on in delivering the future of AI glasses. But Asus' ROG VR headset may be the surprise VR fans will want.

Whether this headset is announced during Meta Connect or at Asus' own event? It's unclear, but at the very least, Zuckerberg will be talking about "Meta's vision for artificial intelligence and the metaverse," according to Meta's programming agenda, and we're still getting an "in-depth look at the latest in AI, virtual reality and wearables."

That means VR isn't off the table. If a Meta Quest 4 isn't set to be revealed anytime soon, perhaps the Asus ROG "Tarius" VR headset will be Meta's next big VR venture instead.

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With Apple's "Awe Dropping" event just over the horizon, we'll soon find out all there is to know about the iPhone 17 lineup, AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch 11. But wild cards are expected, and a bold new look for the Apple Vision Pro could drop.

Since its release back in 2024, the Apple Vision Pro has only received software updates, including the upcoming visionOS 26. Now, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests the Vision Pro is expected to come in a Space Black color option. If accurate, finally, Apple's spatial computing headset will offer more than one option.

This is akin to the Space Black color options for the MacBook Pro M4 models, and similar to the Black colorway update seen on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Currently, the Apple Vision Pro comes in just one colorway, with its signature silver and white finish. Adding a popular color option will certainly draw appeal, but probably not enough to give in to its hefty $3,499 asking price.

While an all-new popular color option for Apple's headset would be welcome, rumor has it that the Vision Pro 2 could launch soon. It's expected to be revealed this October, and if this is true, Apple may wait to show off this rumored Space Black model with its successor.

An Apple Vision Pro announcement soon?

There are several products to expect at Apple's "Awe Dropping" event, from the iPhone 17 Air to the Apple Watch SE 3, and while the Cupertino tech giant may have a surprise up its sleeve, an Apple Vision Pro announcement may seem a tad out of place.

As previously reported, the Apple Vision Pro 2 is tipped to be announced later this year, sporting an M4 chip (or M5 chip) and a redesigned strap. This is also expected to come in a Space Black color option, along with the same colorway as the first headset.

It makes sense that Apple will announce the Space Black option with its next headset, which may also apply to the original Vision Pro. It isn't out of the realm of possibility that the tech giant will make a quick announcement during the iPhone 17 event, though, or possibly in a simple press release.

In any case, it won't be long until we find out. As another candidate in what may be announced during the "Awe Dropping" event, the AirTags 2 could make an appearance, and rumors suggest support for the tracker within visionOS.

For all the latest updates and last-minute rumors, you'll find it all over on our iPhone 17 live blog.

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Apple’s "Awe Dropping" iPhone 17 event is just around the corner, but rumors are starting to swirl that we could be seeing a refreshed Apple Vision Pro! In my mind, it’s looking more likely that this will happen at a future M5 MacBook Pro event — predicted to happen in October. But one thing is clear: a redesign and refresh are direly needed for this $3,500 headset.

What does Apple need to do to bring its mixed reality ambitions to fruition and make the next best VR headset? I could reel off my dream list, from making it lighter, more comfortable and cheaper to perfecting the hand tracking and bringing it all to life with legitimately useful spatial computing.

But instead, I’ve gone to the source. I got to chat with John Gearty, Founder and CEO of PulseJet Studios. He is a former Engineering Program Manager at Apple, who played a key role in developing the Vision Pro from its earliest stages. It’s kind of a perfect transition in a way — from launching the Vision Pro to leading a team developing immersive music experiences for VR.

I asked Gearty about the challenges of the original Vision Pro and what the Vision Pro 2 needs to do to really hit that mass appeal.

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Valve is rumored to be developing several hotly anticipated devices, with its Steam Deck 2 expected to be in the works and a new Steam console tipped to be on the way. But its next hardware release is now pointing towards a standalone VR headset.

Recently, Valve trademarked new hardware called "Steam Frame," with reports indicating this could be the company's long-rumored Valve Fremont, a dedicated home console with SteamOS, or the Valve Deckard, its expected next-gen VR headset.

Now, thanks to a new leak from reliable tipster SadlyItsBradley on X, the "Frame" is very much looking like a headset for VR gaming. The leaker confirms that Valve is "rebranding SteamVR 'Overlays' to 'Frames,'" and seeing how the "Steam Frame" moniker now exists, it's likely that this hardware will be made for virtual reality.

Many other rumors point to a standalone VR headset from Valve, à la Meta Quest 3. This includes leaked details on its Roy VR controllers, along with a tip that the Valve Deckard would arrive by the end of 2025. What's more, this headset is rumored to be priced around $1,200 / £950, although this leak came from earlier this year, and with tariffs, that cost may all change.

Is 'Steam Frame' just for VR?

While it's yet to be official, if Valve ends up naming its expected Valve Deckard the "Steam Frame," as SadlyItsBradley suggests, we could have an all-new VR headset on our hands by the end of the year. That said, there's still a chance this could be part of a home console setup after all, with a previous rumor suggesting the VR headset would launch alongside the Valve Fremont.

There are also murmurs of a SteamVR Link Wireless Dongle on Reddit via TweakTown to wirelessly connect the "Steam Frame" to a PC to allow for higher-quality VR gaming, and SadlyItsBradley has also unveiled what the Roy controllers may look like.

So, we may see this "Steam Frame" VR headset as part of the launch of Valve's console, too. But of course, we won't know until Valve officially reveals its next set of hardware. Fortunately, this may not be too far off, with leakers claiming it will arrive by the end of 2025.

If it's to take on the Meta Quest 3, it will already have a tough time with its asking price. Compared to the Valve Index, we'd like to see at least 1440p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, along with complete access to SteamOS for VR without needing a VR-ready PC.

That's not the only headset that may be coming our way soon, as Samsung's Project Moohan is set to be coming (at an expected $1,800 cost), and we may see the Meta Quest 4 arrive further down the line.

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Apple is rumored to be making a lighter, cheaper version of its Vision Pro headset, and we now may have an idea of when it will launch — along with how much more affordable it will be.

According to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is expected to launch its Vision Air headset in 2027. This falls in line with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, stating the lighter headset won't launch for another two years. Interestingly, Kuo has revealed more details about the Vision Air.

Apple Vision Air: What to expect

For one, Kuo states the headset is expected to be 40% lighter than the Vision Pro. Since this current model weighs around 1.3 to 1.4 pounds, we can now expect the Air model to be around 0.8 to 0.9 pounds. To put that into perspective, the Meta Quest 3 weighs 1.1 pounds, so this will be one extremely light mixed-reality headset.

Secondly, the Apple analyst claims it will be "more than 50% cheaper." The Vision Pro starts at $3,499, and was one of the main reasons it didn't take off as Apple wanted it to. This means the Vision Air could cost around $1,799, or less, instead — a far more affordable price, but still a premium cost.

That said, Samsung's Project Moohan is tipped to cost around $1,800, so the Vision Air appears to still be at the right price, if Kuo's claims are accurate. This would put it at the price of a 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro at $1,799 (with 1TB for storage). And considering the Vision Pro's spatial computing capabilities, this isn't out of the realm of possibility.

It would be more expensive than Apple's most popular products, including the rumored iPhone 17 Pro, which is expected to arrive at Apple's upcoming Awe Dropping event. However, Kuo believes Vision Air shipments will reach one million, skyrocketing past the 400,000 units the Vision Pro sold.

Vision Pro with M5 also on the way?

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We may have pricing and a release date for Samsung's Project Moohan headset thanks to a new report. If it proves true it means the Android XR headset is coming soon, but it won't be cheap—even if it does cost less than the Apple Vision Pro.

The report comes from Korean publication Newsworks (via 9to5Google) and asserts that the VR headset will be available for purchase (in Korea at least) starting October 13. A previous report from a different Korean publication stated that Samsung will hold an Unpacked event on September 29 in South Korea that will focus on the headset.

Outside of the potential release date, Newsworks also claims to know potential pricing and it reportedly ain't cheap.

Newsworks claims Project Moohan will cost between 2.5 and 4 million won, which would be roughly about $1,800 and $2,900 USD. Even at the high end it would still be cheaper than Apple's $3,500 Vision Pro, but only barely.

How it compares to other headsets

Here's the rub though: Anything over $1,000 for a device even Google calls an "episodic product" that you only wear for an hour or two at a time can be a tough pill to swallow.

The current king of VR headsets, the Meta Quest 3 and its little sister the Quest 3S are 4x cheaper than the rumored Moohan price at $499.99 and $299.99, respectively. And they offer comparable functionality to Apple's headset (albeit without the deep Apple software integration) at a much cheaper price.

Even the rumored Valve "Deckard" VR headset that could launch this year reportedly has pricing closer to $1,200 while running on SteamOS. That headset is reportedly going to be able to play non-VR games, but in VR on a big screen without a PC.

If Samsung's competition is the Vision Pro then anything less than $3,000 is probably a win—but if it's trying to get people into VR headsets, the current pricing rumors don't paint an enticing picture.

Samsung and Android XR

Samsung is reportedly only planning to sell 100,000 Moohan headsets before the end of 2025. At the same time, a number of rumors have indicated that Samsung is working on a pair of smart glasses that will launch in 2026 offering models with and without displays.

Meanwhile, Samsung will have Android XR competition in Xreal's wild Project Aura glasses. Those spectacles are also supposed to debut next year and may be more affordable than Project Moohan since the currently available Xreal One Pro AR glasses top out at $649.

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Meta's next smart glasses appear to be on the horizon, with new leaks spilling the beans on its "Celeste" glasses with a heads-up display (HUD) and wristband codenamed "Ceres." Now, a new report details that it's thankfully going to cost a lot less than expected.

Initially, Meta's upcoming smart glasses (also codenamed "Hypernova") were set to go as high as $1,300 to $1,400. That's a steep price, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now reports that the specs could be around $800 — and that's with the sEMG wristband included in the box.

Compared to the recent $499 Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, the new smart specs now don't seem as pricey for an extra built-in display that's tipped to feature a variety of apps on display (à la Meta Quest 3 and the upcoming Android XR) and touch controls with hand gestures for navigation via the wristbands.

As Gurman notes (via UploadVR), Meta has decided to keep the price down to drive demand. However, the $800 price tag would only be the starting point, as prescription lenses and different styles will bump up the price.

With Meta Connect 2025 set to kick off on September 17, it's believed the Celeste smart glasses will receive their stage to be announced, with pre-orders tipped to drop soon after and shipping to start in October.

Price is key

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Apple Vision Pro has had an interesting couple of years — going from the talk of the town to being a largely forgotten part of the Cupertino crew’s lineup. But two years later, a leak suggests that’s about to change.

In code discovered by MacRumors, there are references to an M5 processor, which could very well be a dead giveaway of the next-generation Apple Vision Pro 2 being right around the corner with a serious speed boost. Don’t expect a ground-up redesign, but rather a spec bump. Even better? It looks like it could be launching later this year or early 2026.

M2 to M5

The Apple Vision Pro currently packs an M2 chip with R1 for unlocking all that spatial computing potential. This combo is fine for the job, but as you’ve seen in the likes of the M4 MacBook Air things have moved on quickly since then.

We now have chips that can run the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 with ease, so it’s only fair that Apple’s super pricey headset joins the party. And according to this code leak, it seems likely to happen.

And while this will indeed breathe new life into the spatial side of things (especially with what visionOS 26 brings to the table), gaming could be a focus here. That beefed-up GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing could bring AAA experiences to the Vision Pro 2 — convenient given that Sony’s PSVR 2 Sense controllers are now supported.

But of course, the most immediate impact people will feel is in its multitasking prowess. There can be some moments of slowdown when you have multiple apps open around you, so the improved processing speeds will remedy that promptly.

Consider me excited

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Making the most of my Meta Quest 3 has opened my eyes to the possibilities mixed reality (MR) presents — features that go well beyond punching, shooting or dancing your way through the best VR games.

Thanks to the Quest 3's MR capabilities, I've cooked up a storm in the kitchen while streaming shows on Netflix, given my room a makeover by visualizing furniture and measurements in the Layout app, and even started learning to draw thanks to the Pencil app. More importantly, these have worked fairly flawlessly.

So, why not put this VR headset to work? Meta strived to make its Meta Quest Pro the office machine replacement, and the Apple Vision Pro has also tried its hand at this. But, as you can guess, those ventures didn't catch on (and price wasn't the only major fault).

However, thanks to Microsoft's Mixed Reality Link for Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, using these VR headsets as an extension to your PC has become significantly more accessible, affordable, and, yes, actually usable.

Well, for the most part.

It offers the huge benefit of being able to utilize up to three virtual monitors, which you can resize and place wherever you want in mixed reality. This can easily act as a handy, affordable replacement for the best monitors, there's still one issue that stops me from using my Meta Quest 3 for work — and it all has to do with its video passthrough.

Monitors galore

Since linking my Meta Quest headset to a Windows 11 PC, I've been boasting a three-monitor setup without actually having physical displays crowding my desk. The Mixed Reality Link feature has been a treat, even though it still has some wrinkles to iron out (namely, video calls not working properly and some minor audio connection issues).

Being able to add three virtual monitors anywhere in my field of view while wearing the VR headset makes for an incredibly versatile setup — one that all types of workers would appreciate. They can be stacked on top of one another, placed side by side, reshaped to be used vertically and even offer the massive, ultra-wide treatment.

This adjustability is a boon, and moving and resizing these virtual screens is as simple as dragging and placing them via the Meta Quest 3's hand-tracking feature or Touch Plus controller.

Sure, I may boast a 32-inch 4K monitor for my usual desk setup, but for scrolling through websites while watching a YouTube video or show on Netflix, all while playing games like Doom: The Dark Ages on Xbox Game Pass? That's a setup that's hard to beat — even if I have to wear a whole VR headset to make it happen.

Now, here's the thing: despite its advantages, and still being able to see the real space around you through the Meta Quest 3's full-colour passthrough for mixed reality visuals, I'd find it hard to actually put this setup to good use while working.

The main issue

With the thousands of words I write each week as per my job here at Tom's Guide, a keyboard is easily my biggest asset. I need to be able to type with ease without any interruptions or irritations, and that makes it hard with a Meta Quest VR headset on my head.

I've been impressed with the Quest 3S and Quest 3's full-color passthrough, which allows for an overall clear view of my immediate environment while using apps or watching shows. However, there's no way to get a detailed look at real-world objects — and that includes my keyboard.

The Meta Quest 3's passthrough view is too grainy and struggles when lighting conditions aren't right for more precise motions. While that's fine for general tasks like picking up a glass, typing can be a struggle when you need to look down at keys every once in a while.

I know, touch typists probably won't have a problem with this, but as someone who looks down at their keyboard sometimes to find the right flow or enter a shortcut, I can't for the life of me get a clear view of my keyboard when I've got my headset on.

It leads to typos, stalling to find the right key and general discomfort every time I have to look down with a clunky headset on my head — it doesn't feel nearly as natural as it would without being in MR. Additionally, if there isn't enough light in the room, it's challenging to find anything via passthrough. It's too damn dark!

Oh, and as another red flag, sipping on a hot cup of coffee with a VR headset on is not recommended — so says my now-stained shirt.

AR glasses have this nailed down

This is all to say that wearing a full-blown VR headset for work and other productivity needs isn't ideal when there's a noticeably weighty device wrapped around your head with blurry video passthrough. However, I still believe this is an incredibly efficient way to work.

And that's exactly what the best AR glasses today aim to offer. First off, they're far more subtle than a VR headset, but still offer the versatility of a virtual monitor setup, like the Viture Luma Pro's massive 152-inch virtual screen with a 1200p resolution.

Our own Anthony Spadafora even tested this out by ditching his laptop for a mini PC and AR glasses, and it worked like a charm when working on the go. Plus, we've seen how AR glasses used with a laptop can beat the dreaded "tech neck."

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I once typed “how to unburn pasta” into Google. My chicken breasts are so dry, they taste like sandpaper dipped in regret. But thanks to this incredibly realistic Meta Quest VR cooking simulator, I’m finally clawing out of my way of Gordan Ramsay’s “idiot sandwich” status.

Like it or not, cooking is one of those adulting requirements you can’t skip. I can't DoorDash and UberEats my way through life forever. I mean, I could, but it wouldn’t just be dinner going up in flames — it’d be my bank account, too.

This isn’t one of those mindless cooking games where you’re just assembling burgers and calling it a day. What makes this Quest title “chef’s kiss” is that you’re forced to cook everything from scratch.

You want to make fries? There’s no bag of frozen crinkle cuts waiting for you. Get in the back and grab a potato. Peel it, chop it and get to cookin’! You’re building every meal from the ground up, teaching you how to graduate from an IRL accidental arsonist to a competent cook.

Finally, a kitchen where I can’t burn pasta

Cooking Simulator VR dropped me into a slick and sophisticated modern kitchen — Wolfgang Puck and Padma Lakshmi would cook in this culinary arena.

It’s intimidating at first, but the best aspect of this game is that it doesn’t need to be so frightful, especially if you choose Sandbox Mode. However, if you want a challenge, you’re free to select Career Mode.

But in Sandbox Mode, there’s no head chef barking orders, no impatient diners drumming on tables and no ticking timer breathing down my neck. It’s just me, a posh kitchen and a well-stocked pantry with over 140 ingredients. That’s on top of the top-tier collection of fresh spices and herbs. There’s more than just salt and pepper out there, y’know!

With state-of-the-art blenders, deep fryers, knives and stoves, this VR setup easily outclasses my real-life kitchen.

Let me cook

This isn’t a lazy cooking sim with clunky controls. Every moment felt natural and intuitive, from gripping a pro-grade knife to flipping raw meat with a spatula.

It’s the perfect replication of real-life kitchen actions: whisk with a flick, chop with a glide and twist the knob to turn up the heat. My hands performed just like they would IRL.

For my first VR dish, I decided to follow one of the recipes provided on the kitchen computer: steak and fries. After selecting it, it popped up on a giant monitor, walking me step-by-step through ingredients, measurements and timing instructions.

I pulled a juicy steak from the fridge, slapped it onto the cutting board and seasoned it exactly how the recipe suggested. After drizzling clarified butter into the pan and firing up the stove, I grabbed some tongs. After a minute, I flipped the steak, watching closely as the raw redness slowly transformed into a mouthwatering brown — just like it would in real life.

The recipe called for garnishing the steak with rosemary, so I plucked a fresh sprig straight from the indoor garden.

Next up? Fries. I grabbed a potato from the pile and went to work seasoning and chopping. I didn’t quite nail that perfect rectangular cut, but the wedges I cranked out still looked legit.

I poured them into the deep fryer and yanked them out by the basket like I was working a shift at McDonald’s.

And that was it — my culinary masterpiece was complete. My steak and fries were plated and ready to serve.

If I wanted to double-check how my dish turned out, I could slide it through the kitchen pass for a rating — but honestly, it’s optional. Not to brag, but I got four out of five stars. I’ll take that win.

Kick it up a notch

In the words of world-famous chef Emeril Lagasse, let’s “kick it up a notch!” Now that I’ve mastered the basic steak-and-fries dish, I wanted to try something more challenging.

I decided to cook Shakshuka, a Middle Eastern dish with an eggs-meet-salsa party in your mouth. I’ve never tasted it in real life, but I thought I’d give it a go in VR — against my better judgement.

Cooking this dish turned out to be a nightmare, and it exposed some of the setbacks of the game. The trouble started when I started gathering my ingredients, from eggs and tomatoes to goat cheese and jalapeños. I forgot how lifelike the controls are. At one point, I wasn’t delicate enough with the eggs, and they shattered before I could even use them.

It got worse. The recipe called for just the chopped tomatoes and jalapeños in the skillet, but I already had a medley of ingredients on the cutting board. Without a “bulk transfer option,” I had to delicately drag each slice — one by one — like I was picking peas from rice. It was culinary torture.

And here’s the kicker: I’m a clumsy pourer, apparently. The recipe called for an additional cup of water. However, I accidentally drowned the Shakshuka, which ruined the dish after spending nearly 15 minutes on it. Who wants soggy eggs swimming in tomato soup?

Out of curiosity, I submitted the dish through the kitchen pass. I got slapped with a one-star rating and immediately lost chef points. I respect the game’s honesty. That Shakshuka deserved jail.

I came, I cooked, I got roasted by a VR kitchen

Cooking Simulator VR isn’t perfect. I did feel a little woozy moving around at first, but switching to teleport navigation in the Settings solved that. I also wish the pantry items were labeled better, though you can ID them by holding the trigger button.

The chopping physics are a bit janky, which explains why some of my fries came out looking more like wedges.

Still, I learned a lot. This game teaches patience the hard way. Cooking can be tedious, especially with dropped eggs and endless veggie prep. I rushed through the Shakshuka, and it showed. But now I know: in real life, hurrying through a recipe is the quickest way to mess it up.

It also taught me the art of juggling because time management is everything in this kitchen. While sautéing one dish, you’d better be chopping herbs and keeping an eye on your fries before they turn into charcoal.

Finally, the Shakshuka fiasco taught me to think ahead. I should have read the entire recipe up front. I would’ve known to set the tomatoes and jalapeños aside, saving myself a tedious sorting session.

No, I’m not ready to open a restaurant just yet, but at least I’m ready to retire the fire extinguisher.

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Ever thought VR games on the Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S looked a little...dull? I have, and while I still get a proper kick out of being fully immersed in VR, these headsets still have their limits.

Don't get me wrong; some of the best VR games show off just what these standalone VR headsets can do, with striking visuals and smooth frame rates — especially in titles like Red Matter 2. That's all without the help of the latest-gen console or a powerful PC setup, à la PSVR 2 or HTC Vive Pro 2.

But then you get games like Alien: Rogue Incursion, and that's where you'll find that the Quest 3 isn't exactly a powerhouse. Textures can look blurry, lighting can feel off and visuals can overall be choppy. Even Arizona Sunshine 2, a favorite of mine on a Quest headset, looks far better on PCVR.

So, I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon Quest Game Optimizer (QGO), an app launcher that quite literally unlocks the potential of Meta Quest headsets. Yes, I'm a tad late to the party here, as the first version was released in 2022.

But its rise in popularity over the years and its continued support for the latest VR games show it's become an essential VR app that now allows me to take full advantage of my Quest 3.

From boosting performance, resolution and frame rates in virtually any game to being a one-stop app to customize, launch and video record in 4K at 60 FPS, QGO is a worthwhile venture for just $12 (that includes tax). But it's not for everyone.

First, it can be a bit of a pain to install, as it's not on the Meta Quest Store to simply download. And second, despite graphical and frame rate improvements, some games that are optimized are less noticeable than others. But if you're a VR enthusiast who wants games to look far smoother and be easier on the eyes, QGO has a lot to offer.

Installing QGO on a Meta Quest headset

Installing QGO isn't as straightforward as heading to the Meta Quest Store and downloading the app, as it isn't even there. Instead, you'll have to go through a few hoops, but the developers make it very easy to do so.

To install the Quest Game Optimizer, you'll first have to purchase the app on itch.io. It's available from $10, but including tax, it bumps up to $12. Once that's done, then you'll have to go through a step-by-step process to get it running on your Quest headset.

There are multiple ways to do so, including by using a PC and SideQuest (an Android sideloader) or through the Meta Quest Developer Hub with a PC. The way I did it was by only using my Meta Quest headset, which I found to be the best way to do it.

The setup takes a while, and you'll have to enable Developer Mode on your Quest headset by changing your Meta account into a developer one (this tutorial will help you out). But once it was set up, I was off to the VR races.

Here's how to do it:

If you aren't used to sideloading apps in VR, this can be a bit of a slog, but QGO also has a detailed walkthrough of how to install its app using only a Quest headset.

Giving VR games an upgrade

As soon as I started up QGO, I was immediately treated it to all the apps and games I've downloaded on my Quest 3. I mean, it is an app launcher, after all, but it's handy to have all the apps easily seen in one place. Plus, these can be organized to my liking, and all the games can be launched within this window.

But the key feature here is game optimization, and while I wasn't expecting much of a boost, QGO delivers the goods and then some.

QGO is able to customize VR games to your liking, with its own useful presets that configure the resolution, refresh rate, CPU and GPU levels. This isn't possible on the Quest 3 by itself, so having these options makes it feel like I'm tinkering with settings on a PC.

While you can make your own custom profiles, I found it best to stick with what QGO offers, which comes down to four offerings:

• Battery saver: Reduces settings in games to extend battery life
• Performance: Boost refresh rate for smoother gameplay
• HD: For superior visual quality (like a balanced mode between resolution and performance)
• HD+: Even greater visual quality (like a quality mode)

These settings can be pushed to the limits in nearly all VR games that are supported, with resolution going up to 4096 pixels per eye, 120Hz refresh rate and "Ultra" performance in the CPU and GPU.

However, QGO specifically states, "pushing everything to the maximum is pointless." This is true, as you won't get stable gameplay in many games at max settings, and higher settings can deplete battery life faster and make the Quest headset get quite hot.

Anyway, sticking with QGO's own profiles, I tried out Walkabout Mini Golf using the HD+ profile, and was blown away by the crisp details the game had to offer. Resolution jumped from 1680px to 3100px, with a frame rate of 72Hz.

The game has some fabulous settings, like a mind-bending "Inception"-like city to pot some holes in, but the one detail that really caught my eye was the golf ball. I could easily see all the dimples of the ball, and there weren't any blurry, jagged textures I'd usually notice. It's harder to tell with the screenshots captured, but in VR, it looks fantastic.

With the Boost profile, the game felt even more fluid at 110Hz, which can help with the subtle switch of my gold club and the movement of the ball. I preferred the HD+ profile, but it's nice to know I could easily switch between these when needed.

I then put on Metro: Awakening, which is a fine-looking game in itself, but it isn't exactly the most visually striking. That changed when I turned on HD+, boosting resolution by 37% to achieve 2300px.

The AK-47 I had in hand glistened in the light, with each of its metal components looking smooth, and I could see every wrinkle of the main protagonist Serdar's glove. It's the small things that I would never usually see that impress, and the environments looked far more daunting to travel through thanks to the upscaled visuals (gore and monsters included).

Some games, like Asgard's Wrath 2, don't have the various preset options, with only Boost being available. This cranks up the GPU to "Ultra," but otherwise, it can be tinkered to what I want. However, Asgard's Wrath 2 is already a massive title that pushes the Quest 3 to its limits, so it isn't one I would configure. Besides, I'm happy with how the game looks and performs.

There's a whole suite of games that get the optimizer treatment, including Pistol Whip, Thrasher, Arizona Sunshine 2 (although it just offers the Boost preset) and, of course, Batman: Arkham Shadow. And with games like Deadpool VR on the horizon, I can't wait to see what QGO does for even more VR games, too.

Is QGO worth it?

QGO really is a game-changer for the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, making the best VR headsets on the market that much more of a sweeter deal. For just $12, it optimizes VR games with upscaled resolution and faster refresh rates, which, in many games I tried, is a treat.

Depending on how you find playing games on your Quest headset, like if you're bothered by visuals or prefer to be able to customize a game to your liking, QGO is well worth trying out. As a game launcher, it offers plenty of tools other than optimization, like video recording and backing up data in games, but its main pull is all about giving you the freedom to tinker with games in VR.

Now that I can push VR games to their limits, it's hard for me to go back. But if you can't be bothered with sideloading the app and are fine with what the Quest 3 dishes out (it can be great, anyway), then don't feel like you're missing out on much. Still, seeing smooth textures in VR games is enough for me to stick with QGO.

More from Tom's Guide

• My favorite Meta Quest 3 accessory just got an audio upgrade — and VR never sounded better
• Meta Quest 4 rumors: Everything we know so far
• I have no artistic bone in my body, but this Meta Quest VR app just taught me how to draw

The Meta Quest 4 may not arrive until 2027, but for now, we may have seen a sneak peek of what the next VR headset is heading towards — and it comes with a mighty field of view (FOV).

Researchers at Meta Reality Labs have revealed VR and MR headset prototypes offering an ultra-wide horizontal FOV of 180 degrees, with a goggle-like design that hangs over the user's face. This is a huge leap over the Meta Quest 3, which offers around a 100-degree FOV.

In the report, the researchers demonstrate the VR and MR prototype headsets, comparing the views in virtual and mixed reality to those of a Meta Quest 3.

The VR prototype uses "high-curvature reflective polarizers" in a custom optical design to achieve its ultra-wide field of view, while the MR headset also offers the same FOV but uses 80MP cameras at 60 frames per second (FPS).

A video showcases the difference in view between virtual and mixed reality, and there's a clear distinction in what is visible. Notably, the Quest 3 is shown with a circular view of an office, with the prototype's FOV offering a wider horizontal view — now with a person in sight.

You can see the difference in views in both VR and MR below.

"We [developed] a pair of wide field-of-view headsets, each achieving a horizontal FOV of 180 degrees with resolution and form factor comparable to current consumer devices," the research report states. "Our prototype headsets establish a new state-of-the-art in immersive virtual and mixed reality experiences, pointing to the user benefits of wider FOVs for entertainment and telepresence applications."

As the report points out, humans have a horizontal field of view of around 200 degrees, so these headsets aim to bring our sight closer to what's seen in VR and MR. It also notes that other consumer VR devices offer a wide field of view, like the Pimax Crystal Super with its 140 FOV (as Road to VR points out), but "come at the cost of larger form factors, limiting physical comfort and social acceptance."

This would be a major upgrade for many of the best VR headsets, but it remains to be seen if we'll see the features of these prototypes in action anytime soon.

A hint at the Meta Quest 4?

While the Meta Quest 4 is rumored to be delayed in favor of "Meta Celeste" smart glasses, the VR and MR headset prototypes may give us an inkling of what to expect in next-gen devices.

Rumors of "Quest 4 VR goggles" have been rumbling, as per a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and with these prototypes resembling more of a goggle-like design, this may be what Meta is heading towards.

Plus, with this jump in horizontal FOV allowing for further immersion into VR and MR, this could be a key upgrade for the upcoming VR headset. Still, this is only a prototype, and it's unclear whether Meta will ultimately incorporate something like this into its plans.

It will be interesting to see what type of upgrades the rumored Meta Quest 4 will arrive with, but if it's a broader field of view, it will certainly be welcome.

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• TikTok owner reportedly building its own XR glasses — rivaling Meta
• Meta Quest 3 should’ve killed big-screen TVs — here’s why that didn’t happen