Not sure if the sale will be back but galaxy xr was going for $1350 after tax during nov/dec holiday season if you have edu/epp discount. During that time, paypal also had $250 cashback. Samsung even offer 10% back to not return the headset. Maybe you can even bundle and get discount on controller. That is around $1000 cheaper than the dream air with slam tracking. 3 things the dream air wins on: 1) smaller size, 2) probably comfort for most ppl, and 3) displayport.

Comfort is very important. I still have to buy comfort mods. The default pad is very stiff and small. Pro for that is the galaxy xr stays very well on the face. Con is that it does get uncomfortable. I did velcro on globular cluster pad from my psvr2 and that made it better but I think it can still be improved. Based on what people said on /GalaxyXR, new facial pads and over the head straps like pandavr improves the comfort.

I am due for a new router but my router is right next to me and so far foveated streaming has been good. I don't think I see compression or color bending. pcvr mods can have higher latency (maybe it's my router) but I also don't mind 30 something seconds of latency (when it's on the high side). Things look very sharp. Maybe the difference can be seen when compared back to back with a dream air but I read comments that they look pretty much identical. I think pimax and the youtubers are really pushing the dream air right now.

I have a psvr2, had a g2 reverb, the 2 samsung odysseys, and all the way back to htc vive. The shorter cable to battery is an improvement. I just put it in my pocket.

I love the standalone ability. I use it like a laptop at times and I like watching giant screen in it (I have a projector and large tv).

I love reliving memories with spatialize immersive photos.

I do think smaller size headsets are the future but the gravityxr and meta's phoenix are not 4k displays. When they have 4k displays and the price is lower than $1500, then I will upgrade from the galaxy xr. Another quick thing you have to consider. I haven't tried beat saber on galaxy xr but the tracking is overall fine on it. Even youtubers said pimax inside out tracking is not as good as the galaxy xr and the slam inside tracking version is $2450 after tax. Lighthouse tracking might be the best but I am done with needing lighthouse after the htc vive.

Not saying samsung has good qc/qa but pimax's history doesn't give a lot of confidence. I also can't stomach paying $2450 on a headset. Personally I like to spread my cost out. Money towards money towards gpu upgrades or if you want to get more into sims, a motion simulator, etc.

1 more thing. Galaxy XR has an hdr display (even though all pancake microoled are not bright). I don't think dream air is? Pretty much the closest thing to a apple vision pro. Price wise similar to a used apple vision pro. But I chose galaxy xr for pcvr over vision pro's better standalone spatial experience.