Galaxy XR is more repairable than any other mixed-reality headset

The Galaxy XR is Samsung's first mixed-reality headset. It was launched in late October, and it competes directly with Apple's Vision Pro. Since both headsets look extremely similar and have similar capabilities, it would be interesting to know how the Galaxy XR is built and what's inside the headset.

iFixit has published a teardown video of the Galaxy XR, revealing that it is more repairable than any other mixed-reality headset on the market. Starting off, since it is powered by an external battery pack, it is very easy to replace the battery. Moreover, the power connecting cord has a USB Type-C port and is removable, which means you can potentially use a much bigger power bank to power the headset.

Its cushions and face magnets attach to the headset magnetically, further easing the process of attaching and removing them as required. Disassembling the headset requires you to first remove the clear plastic front plate, and removing it needs a heat gun and some plastic pry tools. There is a plastic frame inside the front plate, and it is attached to the inner plastic frame using multiple Phillips screws. So, removing them is nice and easy, and that makes the Galaxy XR easily repairable.

Unfortunately, there is a ‘Void If Tampered' sticker, which is illegal in the USA, as it goes against the US Federal Trade Commission's rules.

All the outward-facing cameras, sensors, and the Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) system are mounted on the same plastic frame. Everything is connected using Phillips screws, plastic tabs, and glued-on flex connectors. This makes it easier (compared to the Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest Pro) to reach components beneath the frame.

The main board has the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor, memory (DRAM), and storage. Removing the main board reveals another plastic frame on which the headset's pancake lenses, two 4K micro-OLED screens, and four eye-tracking cameras are installed. The downward-facing hand-tracking cameras are embedded in the aluminium chassis. Removing the fabric on the inside can be slightly tricky.

Overall, the use of Phillips screws, an external battery pack with a Type-C power connector, and flex connectors make the Galaxy XR easier to repair than other mixed-reality headsets on the market. Samsung hasn't published any repair manual for its headset, though.