Imagine spending $3,500 on a cutting-edge gadget, only to realize a year later that you might have backed the wrong horse. That’s exactly where I find myself after purchasing the Apple Vision Pro on launch day. As someone who’s always been fascinated by extended and mixed reality, I thought this device would revolutionize my productivity, entertainment, and gaming. But here’s where it gets controversial: the recent launch of Samsung’s Galaxy XR has me questioning whether I made a costly mistake. Was the Vision Pro truly worth its premium price, or did I miss the mark entirely?
Let’s start with the dream: a single device that seamlessly handles work, play, and everything in between. While the Vision Pro promised this, its execution fell short. Samsung, however, seems to have cracked the code with the Galaxy XR. Not only is it half the price, but it also addresses many of the Vision Pro’s shortcomings, making it feel like the more complete product. And this is the part most people miss: Samsung didn’t just innovate—they learned from Apple’s missteps and Meta’s oversights, creating a device that feels both polished and practical.
One of the most glaring issues with the Vision Pro is its app ecosystem. Apple’s decision to leave app compatibility in developers’ hands backfired, resulting in the absence of critical apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify. The Vision Pro could have had access to nearly two million iOS apps, but instead, it’s stuck with around 1.5 million. In contrast, Google and Samsung took a different approach with Android XR. By ensuring almost all Android apps run seamlessly on the Galaxy XR, they’ve created a far more robust and user-friendly experience. It’s like using a tablet in virtual reality, complete with hand and eye tracking—something the Vision Pro can’t match.
But here’s the real kicker: Samsung didn’t stop at apps. The Galaxy XR comes with free trials of YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, NBA League Pass, and Google Play Pass, along with free games like Asteroid and NFL Pro Era. This partner-first strategy highlights how Samsung and Google are building an ecosystem that Apple, in its go-it-alone approach, failed to create. The Vision Pro, despite its potential, feels like an island in an app and content desert.
Hardware-wise, the Galaxy XR also shines. Its hybrid facial interface combines the best of both worlds: the productivity-friendly open design and the immersive closed design. This versatility is something I’ve craved since owning the Vision Pro, which forces users into a closed interface that limits comfort and flexibility. In fact, I even 3D-printed a custom facial interface for my Vision Pro to mimic what Samsung has achieved out of the box. It works, but it’s a workaround that a $3,500 device shouldn’t require.
And let’s talk displays. While the Vision Pro’s micro-OLED panels sound impressive on paper, they fall short in practice. The Galaxy XR, with its higher resolution, wider color gamut, and larger field of view, delivers a visual experience that makes my Vision Pro feel outdated. Yes, Apple’s M3 and M5 processors are more powerful, but the Galaxy XR’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 holds its own, especially when you consider the Vision Pro’s underutilized capabilities.
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Did Apple rush the Vision Pro to market, and did I rush to buy it? Samsung and Google’s patient, strategic approach with the Galaxy XR suggests they waited for the XR space to mature, learning from others’ mistakes. The result? A device that’s not only more affordable but also more refined and future-proof. As someone who’s invested time and money into making the Vision Pro work for me, I can’t help but feel a twinge of regret. The Galaxy XR isn’t just a competitor—it’s a lesson in what happens when you wait for the right moment.
What do you think? Did Apple drop the ball with the Vision Pro, or is the Galaxy XR just a lucky break for Samsung? Let’s debate it in the comments—I’m curious to hear your take!
