Samsung offers $100 instant deal to new XR headset users ahead of Unpacked

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Samsung has confirmed that the next Unpacked will happen on October 21.
• The event will showcase its Project Moohan XR headset, and possibly other products.
• Early adopters can reserve a preorder today and receive a $100 store credit.

The time is near for Samsung to finally announce the long-awaited Project Moohan headset. 

The company confirmed today that it’ll be hosting a virtual Unpacked event on Tuesday, October 21, at 10 p.m. ET, during which we’ll likely learn everything about its next-gen XR headset. Codenamed Project Moohan, the headset was made in partnership with Google and Qualcomm, and is intended to be a direct competitor to the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro.

Also: I finally tried Samsung’s XR headset, and it beats my Apple Vision Pro in meaningful ways

But will the trio of tech giants succeed? That depends on many things, including pricing, comfort, and the seamlessness of the software ecosystem, considering the headset operates on Google’s latest Android XR platform.

What we know so far

I first demoed Project Moohan at Google I/O earlier this year, and it was a strangely familiar experience. Like Apple Vision Pro, Samsung’s XR headset is a mixed reality system that operates through motion, finger gestures, and eye tracking, and is tethered to a portable power bank. 

You’re initiated with an eye-tracking calibration, and you can snap on corrective lenses if needed. As for the rest of the experience, imagine the Android user interface, with its various app icons, pop-up menus, and notifications floating in midair. I’d imagine that most existing Android users won’t have trouble navigating the new operating system.

Also: I wore smart glasses with xMEMS speakers and cooling fans – and wished my Ray-Bans had the same

Notably, I found Project Moohan to be much lighter and to have better weight distribution than the Vision Pro — though it comes at the expense of a cheaper-feeling headband and shell. We’re talking hard plastic versus Apple’s metal and aluminum. That’s not a bad thing, as Samsung’s material choice makes the headset more comfortable to wear while likely reducing costs.

Another selling point is the various Gemini tools baked into Android XR, which allow users to freely request AI assistance, whether they’re finding a local recommendation on Maps or seeking gameplay advice. I’m expecting more full-fledged demos at next week’s Unpacked event.

Preorder offer for early adopters

Ahead of the virtual event, Samsung is offering a $100 store credit to customers who reserve their preorder of the upcoming Galaxy device. According to the Tuesday press release, the credit can be applied to “any additional eligible products,” which I would guess includes spare battery packs, travel cases, wireless earbuds, and more.

Reserving the preorder is not a commitment to purchase, so it’s a good idea to do it now to lock in the $100 promotion in case you decide to buy next week.

How to watch the virtual Unpacked event

Samsung will be streaming the keynote on its main website and official YouTube channel on Tuesday, October 21, at 10 p.m. ET. Stay tuned to ZDNET for updates and coverage of all the announcements at that time.