Google's Android XR platform is here. Everything developers and consumers need to know about the new OS powering Samsung's Project Moohan and future headsets.
Android XR is Google's spatial computing platform, bringing the Android operating system to headsets and extended reality devices. Unveiled in late 2024 and launching commercially in 2025-2026 with Samsung's Galaxy XR headset, Android XR extends the Android ecosystem into AR, VR, and MR hardware in the same way Android extended it to phones.
This guide covers what Android XR is, how it works, which devices run it, and what it means for developers, enterprise buyers, and consumers.
What Is Android XR
Android XR is a full XR operating system built on Android, developed by Google in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm. It brings familiar Android development patterns to XR hardware, letting developers build spatial apps using Jetpack Compose for 3D, Jetpack XR libraries, and the Android ecosystem of tools they already know.
The platform handles the core capabilities required for spatial computing: scene understanding, spatial anchors, environment mapping, passthrough mixed reality, and multi-modal input including eye tracking, hand tracking, and voice.
Android XR is Google's answer to visionOS (Apple Vision Pro) and Horizon OS (Meta Quest). Each platform has a different ecosystem alignment: Apple's is tightly integrated with iOS and macOS, Meta's is focused on gaming and social, and Android XR targets the broader Android ecosystem and Google services.
The First Android XR Device: Samsung Galaxy XR
Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is the launch platform for Android XR. Key specifications:
- Display: Dual micro-OLED panels at 3552x3840 per eye
- Processor: Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 256-512 GB
- Price: approximately $1,799
- Weight: ~545g headset plus 302g external battery
The Galaxy XR targets high-end mixed reality and spatial computing rather than gaming-first VR. Google Gemini AI integration enables voice commands, contextual assistance, natural language search, and real-time translation directly within the XR environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Reality Atlas
The Industry Directory for XR, AR/VR & Spatial Computing.
The micro-OLED displays deliver visual clarity that challenges Apple Vision Pro, at a lower price point. The Android XR platform connects natively to Google services including Google Maps, Google Workspace, YouTube, and Google Photos in spatial formats.
How Android XR Works for Developers
Google built Android XR to reduce the learning curve for the existing Android developer community. Key developer features:
Jetpack XR
The primary XR development framework for Android. Jetpack XR includes:
- Spatial Panels for 2D Android apps in 3D space (similar to visionOS windows)
- SceneCore for 3D object placement and interaction
- ARCore integration for environment mapping, plane detection, and spatial anchors
- Session management for multi-window spatial layouts
### Jetpack Compose for 3D
Android's declarative UI framework extended to handle 3D components. Developers already familiar with Compose can adapt existing apps for spatial contexts without completely rewriting UI code.
Google Play and Distribution
Android XR apps distribute through Google Play, giving developers access to the billing infrastructure, discovery mechanisms, and review processes they already use for Android apps. This is a significant advantage over building for more closed platforms.
AI Integration
Google Gemini integration at the OS level means developers can access multimodal AI capabilities (vision, voice, context) directly in their spatial apps. This includes real-time object recognition, spatial context understanding, and natural language interfaces without implementing custom AI infrastructure.
Use Cases and Application Types
Productivity Applications
Android XR's Google Workspace integration positions the Galaxy XR as a productivity device alongside Apple Vision Pro. Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Meet in spatial formats, with multiple virtual displays and gesture-based window management, target knowledge workers who want more screen space.
Consumer and Entertainment
YouTube and Google TV in immersive spatial formats. Games through Google Play with controller and gesture input. Social applications leveraging Google's ecosystem connections.
Google's enterprise Android management tools (Android Enterprise, Zero Touch Enrollment) extend to XR devices, making Galaxy XR manageable through existing enterprise device management infrastructure. For organizations already standardized on Google Workspace and Android, this matters significantly.
AR and Real-World Assistance
Google Maps integration provides real-time navigation overlays and local information. Google Lens object recognition and translation work in passthrough mixed reality, letting the device identify objects, translate text, or provide contextual information about the physical environment.
Android XR vs Competing Platforms
Android XR vs Apple Vision Pro
Both target premium mixed reality and spatial computing. Apple Vision Pro has a more mature ecosystem, tighter hardware/software integration (Apple-designed M5 chip), and stronger appeal for Apple ecosystem users. Android XR has Google services integration, broader Android app compatibility, and lower starting prices. Neither targets gaming as a primary use case.
Android XR vs Meta Quest
Meta Quest (and Horizon OS) targets gaming-first with a large content library and lower price points. Android XR targets productivity and spatial computing at higher price points. Meta has broader consumer reach. Android XR has Google ecosystem advantages for enterprise deployments. These platforms are likely to coexist for different use cases rather than directly compete.
Android XR vs HoloLens
Microsoft's HoloLens runs Windows Mixed Reality and targets enterprise specifically. Android XR has broader consumer reach but less mature enterprise tooling than HoloLens for specific manufacturing and field service workflows.
What Android XR Means for the Market
Android XR's launch matters beyond the Galaxy XR headset itself. Google signals its commitment to spatial computing as a long-term platform, bringing stability and investment to the Android XR ecosystem. For developers, the alignment with existing Android tools lowers barriers to building spatial apps.
For enterprise buyers, Android XR devices managed alongside Android phones through Google's enterprise tools simplify device management across device categories. For the market overall, strong competition between visionOS, Horizon OS, and Android XR accelerates platform development across all three.
The platform is early in its lifecycle. The app ecosystem will take time to develop beyond adapted Android apps. But Google's developer reach, AI capabilities, and hardware partner relationships with Samsung and Qualcomm give Android XR a credible foundation for long-term market development.
For hardware comparisons across all spatial computing platforms, browse the Reality Atlas hardware directory. For the state of the broader XR market, see the Reality Atlas analysis on spatial computing in 2026.
Android XR in 2026 is a new but credible entrant in spatial computing. It matters most for developers already in the Android ecosystem, organizations standardized on Google Workspace, and users who want Google services in spatial formats. Its long-term position in the market depends on how quickly the developer community builds purpose-built spatial applications beyond adapted Android apps.
