Galaxy XR Teardown Reveals Samsung’s Repair-Friendly Design

Earlier this year, Samsung launched its first mixed-reality headset, the Galaxy XR. The device looks strikingly similar to Apple’s Vision Pro, but costs almost half ($1,799 vs. $3,499). A new teardown now reveals that Samsung took a very different approach on the inside, one that favors repairability.

Samsung leaned heavily on modular design for the Galaxy XR

A detailed teardown by iFixit reveals that Samsung leaned heavily on modular design for the Galaxy XR. The device is easier to service than any other mixed-reality headset currently on the market. Accessing the internals starts with removing the clear plastic front plate, which requires some heat and plastic pry tools. Samsung has secure components with standard Phillips screws, not proprietary fasteners, which is a welcome change.

The face cushions and magnetic facial interface also attach and detach easily, making them simple to replace or clean. All outward-facing cameras, sensors, and the LiDAR system sit on a single plastic frame. According to iFixit, this assembly is more repairable compared to rivals like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest Pro.

Deeper inside, the main board houses the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, along with memory and storage, while the pancake lenses, dual 4K micro-OLED displays, and eye-tracking cameras are mounted on another removable frame. Underneath the main board is a thermal layer that helps dissipate heat from the processor and keep the headset cool.

iFixit says most other XR headsets have the thermals layered on top of the SoC, rather than underneath it. This is another interesting design choice from Samsung. However, the company also pasted a questionable “Void If Tampered” sticker on the inside, discouraging DIY repairs. As noted by iFixit, it’s illegal to paste such stickers on electronic devices sold in the US.

Nonetheless, the overall design of Samsung’s Galaxy XR stands out. The company has prioritized repairability as much as it can, keeping things simple. It’s unclear if it plans to sell the device globally, or if a worldwide launch won’t happen until the second-gen model. In the US, the Galaxy XR currently sells for $1,799.