Samsung Gear VR

The Samsung Gear VR is a virtual reality device developed by Samsung that was released early December 2014. It was developed in collaboration with Oculus VR and is currently compatible with the US version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, which uses the Snapdragon processor. If you have the international version of the Note 4, Oculus provides a downloadable SDK wich will allow you to use your Note 4 with the Gear VR. It comes with its own carrying case, big enough carry both the Gear VR and Note 4.

The Note 4 is used as the screen and computer while the Gear VR, with Oculus Rift's head-tracking module built-in, provides the 360° viewing experience. The Note 4 is connected to the Gear VR via a built-in USB connector and a clamp. There is a focusing dial which adjusts the lens distance from your eyes, good for those wearing glasses since you can't use the Gear VR while wearing glasses.

The Gear VR, when fully connected, runs the Oculus Home app. It has its own interface and its own store and home screen/menu. When the Oculus Home app is run without the Gear VR, it acts as the Gear VR app store.

The Gear VR has a built-in touchpad, volume controls, and back button on the side. Head-tracking or the touchpad can be used to navigate the menus while games are played using the touchpad or a Bluetooth controller. There is a built-in camera passthrough option in the settings which allows you to move around while still using the Gear VR.

The Gear VR, priced at around $200, is not the cheapest way to get into the virtual reality experience. For those without the Note 4, it can cost anywhere from $200 with a contract to about $800-$900 without a contract.

Recently, Will and Norm from tested.com demoed a few features and games on the Gear VR. The video of the demo can be seen bellow.

Samsung has already announced that there will be a Gear VR 2. Unlike the current Gear VR, the Gear VR 2 will be available only for the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge and will include a USB passthrough to allow the phone to simultaneously charge, a cooling fan, and will be 50% lighter. At GDK 2015, Samsung announced that there will be a consumer version of the Gear VR coming possibly in September, when the Note 5 should be released.

If you don't already have a Note 4 or are planning to buy one, don't bother getting one just so you can get the Gear VR. Otherwise, priced at $200, the Gear VR is a good mobile virtual reality device for those with a Note 4.