An early version of Samsung’s Android XR headset could show up in October

A full launch next year

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A newSamsung XR/VR headset, developed withGoogleand running Android in some form, is definitely in the works – and we might now have a better idea of exactly when we’re going to be able to get our hands on it (and put our heads in it).

According to sources speaking toBusiness Insider(via9to5Google), a developer version of the device is going to make an appearance in October. The headset will then be made available to everyone who wants to buy one in March 2025.

Samsunghas previously said there will be something new in the XR categorybefore the end of 2024, but this is the first time we’ve heard specific months mentioned. As always with rumors though, nothing is certain until it’s official.

There’s actually a Samsung Developer Conference in the schedule for Thursday, October 3 – this could well be when the early version of the headset is given out to developers, so they can start working on apps ready to launch in 2025.

The rumors continue

While there’s still lots of uncertainty about what Google and Samsung are working on, the XR term – for Extended Reality – is used to cover virtual reality (enclosed virtual worlds), augmented reality (digital elements on top of the real world), and mixed reality (virtual elements that can be made to appear to interact with or fit in with the real world).

Companies don’t necessarily all use these terms consistently though, which can be confusing for consumers. According to the Business Insider report, the upcoming headset has been delayed several times while the technology is refined.

Google engineers apparently now have a renewed focus on Android XR, for powering the upcoming headset and other devices. Google reportedly made attempts to get Meta to use the platform for its own mixed reality headsets, but was rebuffed.

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Rumorshad suggestedthat Google abandoned plans for a pair of AR glasses (similar to theRay-Ban Meta Smart Glasses), but then we saw some smart specs demos in Google’sProject AstraAI showcase – so it’s possible that there are currently several different types of device in the works.

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Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

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