Google introduced Android XR at a shock occasion in December 2024, unveiling the primary model of Android constructed for AR and VR units. Simply because the time period “smartphone” encompasses a number of totally different type components — slabs, folding telephones, and so on. — XR is the mixture of AR and VR beneath one umbrella time period.
Whereas Android XR is a bit late to the sport, Google has the prospect to be taught from Meta and Apple. From every thing we have seen to date, Android XR appears to be like to be the right mixture between Meta’s Horizon OS, which powers Meta Quest headsets, and Apple’s Imaginative and prescient OS on the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
However whereas Google appears to be like prefer it has found out the working system facet of issues, we nonetheless haven’t any correct product bulletins. That is going to alter in 2025, and I totally count on to see not less than one flagship VR/combined actuality headset and one pair of AR glasses make a industrial debut. We additionally find out about just a few different initiatives within the works, so here is what you’ll be able to count on from Android XR in 2025.
Xreal
The primary main Android XR product launch I count on in 2025 is from Xreal. The corporate has already confirmed itself because the market chief in sensible show glasses phase and has launched two full-fledged standalone sensible glasses merchandise thus far — Beam, and Beam Professional. Beam Professional redefined the corporate’s standalone answer in 2024, and I imagine Xreal will proceed to evolve this idea with its first Android XR product.
Xreal Beam Professional appears to be like so much like an Android smartphone with twin ports on the underside. I count on the primary pair of Android XR-powered sensible glasses from Xreal to interchange this design with a “compute puck” much like what Meta Orion is utilizing. I do not count on it to be wi-fi like Orion’s puck, as Xreal would probably prioritize battery life and luxury by placing the battery within the compute puck.
I additionally do not suppose the compute puck will function a show, as Android XR is constructed to show an XR consumer interface fairly than a conventional flat-screen Android UI. As such, the puck will solely operate when the glasses are hooked up, much like that one Xreal-powered laptop computer that obtained canceled.
I nonetheless count on the glasses to have a customized piece of silicon inside, much like Xreal One, the corporate’s just lately up to date sensible show glasses. Xreal One has an non-compulsory digicam popping out quickly, however I count on Xreal’s first Android XR glasses to have cameras inbuilt for full spatial monitoring. I obtained a glimpse of this future at MWC 2024 once I went hands-on with Xreal Air 2 Extremely, which featured a really beta customized UI, full 6DoF monitoring, and rudimentary hand monitoring assist.
With Android XR powering the expertise, hand monitoring can be flawless and the UI will look beautiful. I am fairly assured in Xreal’s capability to ship glorious {hardware} at this level, and totally count on Xreal’s Android XR glasses to problem Meta Orion in a severe method.
Whereas the last word purpose of Android XR sensible glasses will virtually definitely be to interchange your telephone, I feel preliminary variations from firms like Xreal will primarily be centered on offering a neck-saving expertise for leisure and productiveness on the go.
When will we see Xreal Android XR glasses? I imagine we’ll see them debut at Google I/O 2025, which is usually held in Could. Google I/O is the corporate’s annual developer convention, and what higher strategy to encourage improvement for a brand new Android platform than to completely debut it and a brand new set of merchandise than at a developer convention? I can not consider one.
Samsung
Based on years of leaks, Samsung and Google had initially deliberate to launch its first combined actuality headset powered by Android XR someday within the latter half of 2024. That every one modified when Apple unveiled the Imaginative and prescient Professional in the summertime of 2023, which seemingly compelled Samsung to return to the drafting board to make a extra compelling system.
The result’s Venture Moohan. We do not know the ultimate product title for it simply but however we do know Samsung plans to launch it commercially someday later this 12 months. That is a full 12 months late, but it surely completely means we’ll get a greater product due to it.
Samsung goals to ship a cutting-edge product that appears like a melding of the Meta Quest Professional and Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional right into a (hopefully) extra reasonably priced headset. It sports activities the identical ski goggles-like type issue as these two merchandise and even makes use of an analogous magnetic gentle blocker system and halo-style strap because the Quest Professional, which I nonetheless discover to be probably the most comfy VR headset for long-term use.
As a result of Samsung waited a bit, it is capable of repair the most important issues with the Imaginative and prescient Professional and Quest Professional, particularly by delivering a great steadiness between value, efficiency, and long-term consolation. Furthermore, in contrast to Apple, Samsung can be launching its headset with motion-tracked controllers as a substitute of relying solely available monitoring.
Google has already tapped into its lengthy historical past with XR improvement by getting Owlchemy Labs — creators of the infinitely widespread Job Simulator…
Supply: This year, Android XR will debut these cutting-edge products
