Galaxy XR has a hidden port for added flexibility

Samsung's first XR headset, which competes with the Apple Vision Pro, has a neat trick up its sleve. Unlike the Vision Pro, it has a hidden port that you can use to connect to additional wired accessories. This greatly improves the flexibility of the Galaxy XR.

The Galaxy XR features a USB Type-C port concealed beneath a flap on the headset’s right temple. This discovery was made by UploadVR. Interestingly, Samsung didn’t mention this USB port on the Galaxy XR’s product page or specifications sheet, which leaves us puzzled. This omission could limit its appeal to potential buyers.

The USB Type-C port can be used to connect to a wide range of wired accessories, including keyboards, mice, an Ethernet cable (via adapter), an HDMI input adapter, a USB hub, a portable DAC, a webcam (via UVC format), and external storage devices like flash drives and portable SSDs. Android XR is based on Android, which is generally a quite open platform and plays well with several types of accessories.

You can play media files stored on a pen drive or view videos playing on a different device. Potentially, you could take a video input from portable gaming console like the Steam Deck (if they support UVC). However, that capability hasn't been confirmed yet. More information could be released by the time reviews start coming in.

This port makes the Galaxy XR more capable than many other VR/XR headsets in the market, and if marketed properly, it could become Samsung's trump card in the XR segment. In comparison, the Apple Vision Pro requires you to register yourself as a developer and purchase a $300 add-on accessory to add a USB port.

Image Credits: UploadVR