It looks like Samsung is hoping to launch its extended reality (XR) wearable device sometime next year. The company has revealed its outlook for 2025 in its new earnings report, in which it said it wants to “improve connectivity between products, including the upcoming XR device, to further enhance the user experience across the Galaxy ecosystem.”
Samsung first revealed at the Galaxy S23 Unpacked event last year that it was working on a wearable device with augmented, mixed, and virtual reality capabilities. It will run a Google-designed version of Android built specifically for wearable displays, and it will be powered by a Qualcomm chip.
As 9to5Google notes, previous reports claimed Samsung would release a developer version of the wearable in October 2024, but that apparently didn’t happen. Samsung didn’t share many concrete details about the device’s launch in its earnings report, so there’s no guarantee that the wearable will be available by next year.
During the company’s earnings conference call, Samsung EVP Jaejun Kim also hinted at the possibility of developing a more affordable foldable phone. Kim said that because its foldable devices “have a high level of product satisfaction,” the company is “looking at ways to lower purchase barriers” so more people can afford it.
A Samsung official previously denied rumors that a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold was in the works, so it’s unclear if the company has changed its mind or is simply working on a cheaper version of the Z Flip.
In addition, Kim revealed that Samsung is “developing a new form factor” for those who “want an even more powerful and innovative mobile experience,” though that could also be related to the company’s extended reality wearable device.
Of course, Samsung has confirmed that it will launch the S25 series of phones next year. It reiterated plans to focus on AI features, as well as improve AI offerings designed specifically for foldable phones.
The degree of certainty drops sharply when we dig deeper into the phone’s features. A subtle redesign with rounded corners, flattened edges, and thinner bezels is likely, based on a leaked video posted on Reddit and photos from reputable tipster Ice Universe.
But this isn’t the generation where Samsung’s hiring of a former Mercedes-Benz designer would lead to huge aesthetic changes.