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May 14, 2023

Samsung Files Trademark for 'Galaxy Glasses' AR/VR Headset

Samsung announced last month it was partnering with Google and Qualcomm to

Samsung announced last month it was partnering with Google and Qualcomm to develop an XR device, something the company said at the time was "not too far away." While we’re still left guessing as to what sort of headset the Korean tech giant has in store, a new trademark filing has come to light which may suggest the headset's naming scheme.

As reported by 9to5Google, Samsung filed a trademark request with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 27th for the name ‘Galaxy Glasses’.

In its description, the trademark registration is said to cover the categories of "virtual reality headsets; Augmented reality headsets; Headphones; Smartphones; Smart glasses."

According to a recent Washington Post interview with TM Roh, the president and head of Samsung's mobile experience business, an upcoming Samsung XR device is "getting there, but we’re not too far away."

Roh told WaPo that the XR headset's chipset is going to be "a strategic collaboration with Qualcomm." Google is building the software, while Samsung builds the hardware.

Provided the trademark isn't just a defensive measure, and will actually be applied to a real product, Samsung would be pitching the proposed device as a part of its Galaxy line, which includes its smartphones, tablets, notebooks, smartwatches, and earbuds.

Notably, the company has never positioned its VR devices directly under its Galaxy branding, with Samsung Gear VR and its PC VR headset HMD Odyssey marketed separately from the Samsung mothership of mobile devices.

It shouldn't come as any real surprise the Korean tech giant is prepping XR hardware now. In 2021, two leaked videos surfaced featuring Samsung AR concept devices, although we haven't heard anything since about the company's XR ambitions until Samsung announced it was throwing its hat back in the game with Google and Qualcomm by its side.

Meanwhile, Apple's rumored mixed reality headset is reportedly set to arrive sometime this year at around $3,000, with a lower-cost version of Apple's mixed reality headset reportedly set to follow sometime in 2024 or early 2025.

And although Apple is largely seen as the most present threat, Meta recently released word it is not only prepping an enthusiast-targeted Quest 3 headset for release this year, and a "more accessible" consumer version in 2024, but possibly another ‘Pro’ branded Quest headset "way out in the future," Mark Rabki, Meta's VP of VR, allegedly told thousands of employees in a memo last week.

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These people do not learn. 3000 dollar anything will not fly. You will lose money.

But Apple doesn't target the consumer with their first headset, but businesses, and for businesses $3000 isn't that much if it gives a worker better productivity.

Apples approach of throwing in everything and the kitchen sink when they start a new product category won't surprise with high price tags. I just hope they haven't bitten more than they can chew this time.Metas face tracking was underwhelming, but considering how apple phones lidar is standard for mocap face capture, I’m sure it will be great.Pimax giant headset are not the future, the FOV isn't even that great

Apple customers are willing to pay a lot. A maxed out iPhone 14 Pro sells for USD 1.599, a maxed out 16″ Macbook Pro for USD 6.499, a maxed out Mac Studio for USD 7.999. People buy these in significant numbers, because they are productivity tools used for making more money than they cost.

And while that Studio is a beefy machine, you can get a 20 core, 128GB RAM, 8TB SSD computer for a lot less elsewhere. Just letting Newegg pick an "enthusiast" config with a slower 16 core Ryzen 9 7950X and a much faster RX 6950-XT and then upgrading to 128GB DDR5 and 8TB PCIe 4 SSD costs half as much. People buy high end Apple products for the smooth experience and seamless workflows, and they know they will pay a significant premium for that. So high prices kind of do fly, and Apple is very far from losing money.

We need a new high end to have much better low end later.

cool. I look forward to the reveal. I like Samsung products, and Hope they show off an awesome XR device, hopefully under 1k, otherwise it won't sell in large volumes.

I think Samsung and probably other mobile phone companies are following Apple. I know it is a simplification but it is still true to some extend. That is why it is no surprise to me that Samsung is working again on a VR gear. Perhaps it was a little bit to early with the first gen WMR considering technology at that time. Anyway I hope a whole VR industry will benefit because of that. And I hope many companies will jump to the VR business despite of some fanboys (yes, I am talking to you ViRGiN) wishes to have only one brand available.

*to their door, not food, lol