Samsung Gear VR with Controller
Samsung Gear VR
Samsung
Along with the release of the Galaxy S8, Samsung's Gear VR with Controller is the latest mobile headset available from the electronics company this spring. The headset is compatible with Samsung's Galaxy S6, S7 and S8 models as well as the Note5. It can easily switch between a Micro USB and USB-C connector making it easy to use across devices. Gear VR is powered by Oculus, a technology company that specializes in virtual reality, meaning you can experience high qualityVR without paying the high price of professional VR headsets and gaming computers (Professional models typically start around $400.)
- The Headset
The Gear VR features adjustable straps and a cushy foam lining that blocks out light, creating a highly immersive experience. The headset includes a touch screen on the side for navigation during gameplay that is next to the home, back and volume keys. We especially appreciated Gear VR's small wheel at the top of the headset, which lets you adjust the screen to find the best focus. Although during testing, this feature didn't seem to help our testers who are prone to motion sickness. Our testers thought the sound quality of the headset alone was good, but agreed that it was even more immersive when using wireless headphones.
- The Gear VR Controller
The controller is one of our favorite new features to the Gear VR system. The handheld remote acts as a touch pad that lets you select, drag, drop, aim and more during your VR experience to mirror real-life human movement. It also includes the same home, volume and back keys featured on the headset. Our testers found the controller's design very comfortable to hold and a much easier option than reaching up to use the controls on the side of the headset.
The wireless controller runs on two AA batteries, which are expected to last 40 days based on two hours of gameplay a day. For storage, it fits into a small strap attached to the headset. As of now, only about 20 applications on the Oculus Store are compatible with the controller, but Samsung is promising about 70 new controller-enabled apps in the coming months. We tried a few of the current games with our testers, and especially enjoyed pointing and connecting constellations in A Night Sky — a controller-enabled game that simulates sitting under the stars.
- The Bottom Line
For gamers who are looking for a good quality VR experience without purchasing all the fancy equipment, Gear VR is a great way to gain access to the Oculus Store's wide breadth of VR apps and games. The controller is the biggest upgrade to Gear VR, and offers a more immersive experience in mobile VR. We look forward to more controller-enabled apps in the future, and are excited to test new titles as they enter the Oculus Store.
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