I Invested In Samsung's $1,800 Xr Headset To Replace My Dual Monitors - And It's Paying Off Big Time

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• At $1,800, Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is half nan value of nan Apple Vision Pro.
• You tin usage autochthonal Android apps and Virtual Desktop connections for multi-screen activity and media experiences.
• Samsung limits nonstop PC connectivity to Galaxy Book devices (for now).

After purchasing an Apple Vision Pro, I was initially impressed by its capacity to create an immersive, multi-screen situation erstwhile paired pinch my MacBook Pro. However, aft conscionable a mates of weeks, nan $3,500 value tag proved excessively steep for nan marginal boost successful productivity, starring to its return.

When Samsung announced nan Galaxy XR headset astatine half nan cost, I was instantly intrigued. For nan past 2 weeks, I've put nan Galaxy XR done its paces, rigorously testing its inferior for master work. This effort has progressive extending my Apple and Windows laptops for productivity while traveling, alongside testing autochthonal Android XR applications.

Also: I tried nan Samsung Galaxy XR headset, and I wasn't worried for smart glasses astatine all

Based connected these results, I've decided to support nan Galaxy XR, hopeful that Samsung will proceed to merchandise level improvements and that much basal applications will arrive. Now, let's return a person look astatine cardinal usage cases wherever nan headset delivers connected its promise, arsenic good arsenic nan lingering issues that still request to beryllium addressed.

1. Using autochthonal Android XR apps

While manus search useful for maine astir 70% of nan time, erstwhile I'm focused connected ratio and getting activity done, I request nan headset to beryllium arsenic reliable arsenic my laptop. Therefore, pairing nan headset pinch a Bluetooth keyboard and rodent is my preferred method for navigation until Samsung tin amended nan reliability of its manus and oculus tracking.

The readiness of apps for illustration Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Microsoft Office is strong, and they execute arsenic expected. I'm capable to usage these autochthonal Android XR apps for penning ZDNET content, creating spreadsheets, and performing nan penning and Excel study required for my engineering work. Additionally, Samsung Internet, 1 of my favourite web browsers, useful perfectly for each my web-based efforts.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

A awesome characteristic of nan Galaxy XR, designed to boost efficiency, is nan expertise to position apps spatially astir you. This allows you to move your assemblage aliases caput to activity successful aggregate windows without nan changeless request to open, close, aliases minimize programs. You tin person up to 5 apps unfastened astatine once; launching a sixth will automatically minimize nan first 1 you opened. Simply usage nan task switcher to bring immoderate minimized exertion backmost into view.

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For my time occupation arsenic a master engineer, I trust connected specialized vessel creation programs that tally connected a Windows computer. To entree these, I downloaded and installed nan VMWare Omnissa Horizon application, which is disposable for Android XR and should supply distant desktop access. Unfortunately, while nan app installs and opens, thing appears connected nan display. I eagerly expect nan developer providing this important functionality for improved productivity.

2. Virtual Desktop is almost there

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Apple provides a autochthonal relationship betwixt its computers and nan Vision Pro headset, and Samsung offers a akin experience, but only pinch a Galaxy Book. Thankfully, nan Virtual Desktop exertion fills this gap. It tin beryllium installed connected Apple and Windows computers, arsenic good arsenic connected Android devices, and nan $25 app useful flawlessly connected nan Galaxy XR. I paid nan fee, and while it's not perfect, pinch its occasional hiccups and stuttering, it delivers nan wide acquisition I've been looking for.

Also: The Samsung Galaxy XR headset comes pinch $1,000 worthy of freebies - here's what's included

With Virtual Desktop moving connected nan Galaxy XR, I tin usage nan keyboard and rodent of nan connected computer, which makes my outer input instrumentality a seamless option. It besides allows for 3 desktop displays connected nan Galaxy XR, which is simply a awesome triumph complete constricted beingness monitors. Since I recreation pinch only a azygous laptop, nan expertise to return 2 very ample virtual displays pinch maine -- successful nan shape of nan Galaxy XR -- is good worthy nan bulk of nan Samsung recreation case.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

One important situation and root of vexation I've encountered is that placing these desktop windows is finicky, often requiring sizeable effort to statement them up for an optimal viewing experience. Worse, if you return nan headset disconnected and put it backmost on, each nan windows reset and look correct successful beforehand of you, forcing you to reposition them successful nan virtual abstraction each complete again. 

I acquisition nan aforesaid troublesome repositioning erstwhile switching from Virtual Desktop to autochthonal Android XR apps and back. I would greatly admit a characteristic to prevention nan positions of these windows and a elemental fastener to threat them backmost to a default arrangement.

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On nan affirmative side, nan displays are highly customizable: they tin beryllium accrued aliases decreased successful size, curved aliases flattened, and moved person aliases further to execute nan desired view. The fonts and displays are remarkably clear, and I ne'er knowledgeable immoderate ocular fatigue, moreover aft hours of concentrated activity successful this environment.

3. Don't slumber connected nan USB-C port

A hidden USB-C larboard is located connected nan correct broadside of nan Galaxy XR headset. While it cannot beryllium utilized to powerfulness nan headset, it offers respective replacement benefits. A small, ray grey screen conceals nan port, and it whitethorn beryllium easy missed unless you cognize it's there. To entree it, simply property down connected nan backmost broadside of nan screen to raise nan beforehand and plaything it retired of nan way.

Although this larboard cannot beryllium utilized to link to an Apple aliases Windows machine and person nan Galaxy XR usability arsenic nan show for those machines (with aggregate monitors), you tin link a USB-C cablegram to output nan Galaxy XR show onto outer screens. This is peculiarly useful for training aliases demonstrating nan Galaxy XR acquisition to others.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

This aforesaid larboard besides accepts keyboards, mice, USB hubs, Ethernet adapters, flash drives, and more. Given that nan Galaxy XR ships pinch only 1 retention configuration (256GB), it's a important advantage to cognize that adding outer retention via nan USB-C larboard is easy. 

Personally, I've resorted to utilizing my awesome Keychron mechanical keyboard via cablegram and a Bluetooth rodent pinch nan Galaxy XR; this setup provides businesslike navigation and matter input erstwhile I usage nan headset arsenic my superior machine display.

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Beyond individual use, I've observed that Samsung Heavy Industries is utilizing nan Galaxy XR to train caller hires, enabling them to study analyzable vessel assembly procedures utilizing integer twins earlier ever entering a barren dock. Performing these functions virtually is some faster and safer than starting successful nan shipyard environment. Similarly, architects and engineers tin locomotion done CAD models astatine scale, time off floating annotations, and seizure feedback connected nan spot.

Prior to nan Galaxy XR, I chiefly utilized a brace of XR glasses to heighten my productivity by expanding my virtual show beyond a azygous laptop screen. However, I precocious developed tegument irritation -- apt an allergic guidance to nan silicone worldly of nan glasses -- connected my chemoreceptor and down my ears. This rumor is thankfully absent connected nan Galaxy XR headset, making it my clear prime for each early business travel.