Just last week, Samsung finally launched its highly anticipated Galaxy XR headset. Following the event, I wrote about how the repeated “just the beginning” messaging from both Samsung and Google made it feel like they were tempering expectations, perhaps anticipating a slow start for this premium, $1800 device. Well, the market might have other ideas, apparently. In a surprising turn of events, the optional Galaxy XR controllers sold out in the US within hours of going live, suggesting early demand could be stronger than anticipated.

To get you up to speed here, Samsung offered a pair of controllers for an additional $250 (or $175 with a brief launch discount). These controllers, crucial for many traditional VR gaming experiences, were gone from Samsung’s US website almost immediately after the launch began. While the headset itself remains available, the controllers (and the travel case) are completely out of stock stateside, with no announced restock date.

An interesting contradiction

I think this rapid sell-out is fascinating because it seems to run counter to Samsung’s own positioning of the Galaxy XR. The headset is designed to be fully navigable using hand tracking, eye tracking, and voice commands, with Gemini fully integrated – features heavily emphasized during the launch event. Samsung has also been clear that its primary focus is on productivity, creativity, and media consumption, rather than the intense VR gaming that dominates the Meta Quest ecosystem. Selling the controllers separately seemed to reinforce this non-gaming focus.

Yet, the instant sell-out proves that a significant number of early buyers absolutely do want to use this headset for experiences that require controllers. For many immersive VR titles and potentially PC-VR streaming, these accessories aren’t just optional; they’re essential.

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High demand or low inventory?

So, what does this actually mean? There are two ways to look at it. On one hand, you could argue this is simply a case of extremely limited initial inventory. Perhaps Samsung, aligning with the “just the beginning” narrative and expecting a niche audience for this first-gen device, produced very few accessories, leading to an easy sell-out.

On the other hand, this could genuinely indicate higher-than-expected early demand. Maybe the combination of the specs, the allure of the new Android XR platform, and the deep Gemini integration has resonated more strongly with enthusiasts than Samsung anticipated, even with the high price tag.

Regardless of the exact reason, the fact that something related to the Galaxy XR sold out this quickly is arguably a positive sign. It shows a tangible level of excitement and interest in Samsung’s entry into the high-end XR space. It suggests that people aren’t just passively curious – they’re actively looking to buy into the ecosystem, even the parts geared towards more traditional VR uses.

If Samsung does plan to expand the Galaxy XR’s availability beyond the US and South Korea, this early accessory rush should be a clear signal: the demand might just be bigger than they thought.

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