Code discovered in a recent Google Play update indicates the company may soon roll out support for XR headsets on its Android app store, which would mark a decisive shift in the competitive landscape.

As reported by Android Authority, code in version 43.3.32-31 of the Google Play app contains mention of “XR headset,” including a new headset icon that ostensibly indicates whether an app works with the supported device.

Google has technically hosted XR games on Play in the form of Cardboard apps since 2014, which use Android smartphones as ad hoc VR displays—something that was big in kickstarting user interest in the early days of consumer VR, but not so much in the day of standalone headsets like Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro.

The addition of a dedicated section in the Play store and official device support however points to something bigger than Cardboard, or even its now-defunct Google Daydream platform, which the company abandoned in 2019.

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So what’s spurred this renewed interest in XR? There are a few things, arguably the largest of which is the Google, Samsung and Qualcomm headset collaboration, which was announced in early 2023. Samsung is building the hardware, Qualcomm the chipset, and Google the Android-based XR operating system.

Although the companies have confirmed the headset will be announced (and possibly launched) by the end of this year, practically nothing is known about the XR collab. Industry rumors maintain Samsung initially delayed the device to better compete with high-end mixed reality headsets, such as Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro with Dual Loop Band | Image courtesy Apple

Then there’s the recent report from The Information that claims Google and Samsung are looking to partner on a Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses competitor, which would be materially ‘easier’ to produce than a full-fledged XR headset, since the comparatively cheaper AI-centric smartglasses don’t include displays.

Still, such a device likely wouldn’t need such a close tie-in to the broader Android ecosystem like a potential Vision Pro competitor, which would likely trade on its ability to not only play XR games published on Google Play, but also run standard 2D apps too, like Vision Pro does with its millions of compatible iOS apps.

This follows revelations from earlier this year that Meta and Google held talks in effort to bring Android XR to Quest, however talks apparently stalled due to Google’s terms being too restrictive for the liking of Meta. In the meantime, Meta has been making overtures to Android developers to bring their apps directly to Quest in a bid to further flesh out Quest as a general computing platform.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Nevets

    Reveal it dammit. This could be quite exciting. Need AAA games though.

    • Hussain X

      Quest 3 is quite comfortable even more so with a plastic strap. It's also much better it comes with cheap fabric straps as default because then you can choose an aftermarket plastic strap of your choice if you want.

    • NL_VR

      comfort is the hardest part. a comfort HMD for gaming may not be comfortable for media viewing etc.
      the ability to change straps and face interface like on the quest headsets is the way to go for HMD i think.

    • MeowMix

      Need AAA games though

      this is a headset priced at the enterprise, professional market. It doesn't need AAA games; it needs actual useful features.

      That's actually an issue with the XR market, as its now too gamer centric. One of the reasons why I didn't mind them removing the Oculus branding from the headset, as I took that as a sign they're trying to move beyond 'it's just a gaming device' stereotype.

      • Nevets

        Where does it say it’s aimed at the enterprise market?

        • MeowMix

          Where does it say it's aimed at the enterprise market?

          It's been widely reported that this Samsung/Google XR headset is aimed as a AppleVR competitor, and expected to be priced around ~$2000. Maybe get outside of the RTVR gamer centric bubble

          • Nevets

            Well, your username checks out

          • Storymode Chronicles

            There's zero solid information out there. No one knows what it will actually be.

            There have been reports they're seeking close feature-parity with Vision Pro, but also speculation that Apple's poor sales caused them to pull back on that. Claiming you know what price range it's going to enter the market at is a pretty empty.

          • A $2K pricetag doesn't automatically make it B2B ….

  • eadVrim

    Mixed Reality is really cool but currently its pass-through resolution is not good enough. Maybe Samsung correct it.

    • NL_VR

      im really impressed how the Quest 3 passthrough has improved over time. its really usable now. not like in the beginning were it was mostly annoying

    • MeowMix

      It is good enough; good enough being the lowest bar. But it could be a lot better.

      • eadVrim

        For me it is not good enough, I am still feel some kind of returning to reality after leaving the MR. Pass-through needs more resolution to cancel this transition effect.

        • MeowMix

          Pass-through needs more resolution to cancel this transition effect.

          We're probably 20 years away from that transition being seamless. It ain't gonna look real life anytime soon.

          • eadVrim

            Real mixed reality will become convincing when the pass-through quality is sufficient.

  • GUEST

    They always seem to be chasing trends that fail. Daydream like GearVR, AR Core like AR Kit, and now some eye-tracking gesturing crap like AVP. Next it will probably like Meta Rayban AI holes in your face!

  • Meta/LG gone ….
    Google/Samsung "delayed" ….
    AVP 2 shelved ….
    Quite troubling.
    []^ (

  • xyzs

    That will last until they cancel it in a few years…

    • Correct.
      Sadly, some can't hack the Truth …
      #LetsGoJetsgo
      <3

  • MeowMix

    It's gonna be weird if it turns out the general consumer userbase is more interested in using XR for 2D apps rather than using XR for native XR content. We shall see soon enough !

    • Alex Soler

      I don't think that will be mass market for the moment, at least until they reach Bigscreen Beyond form factor. And even then, it'll be mostly for people living alone, because of the social isolation stigma attached to it (Apple's EyeSight seems like a joke to me).
      At 2D level, big TVs, together with laptops and iPads offer almost the same are hard to beat there in terms of comfort.

      • You're not wrong.
        They're already priced as low as they can go.
        Ergon is just fine, IMHO.
        So what's it gonna take to get the "mainstream VR" ball rolling …??
        My thinking is there's nowhere near the amount of enough LIVE concerts by bigname acts: Stones, U2, etc. ….
        And a major sporting event in VR, like the Super Bowl, would go VERY far in popularizing virtual reality.
        []^ )

        • guest

          Prices can go lower. Sony has made fine android devices before with their Xperia line. There are other large companies that could also play low-ball with Meta. It is feasible for any of them to sustain a price at half of Quest 3S for years.