Samsung virtual helmet. Virtual reality glasses Samsung Gear VR. Huge selection of games

Virtual reality is in vogue today, and many manufacturers offer their own way to get into it. Samsung believes that the best way to move from our reality to the virtual one is glasses.

How do they look

What unites them? These are flagship devices with screens with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. For their connection, the developers have provided convenient latches. The kit includes interchangeable holders with microUSB and USB Type-C.

How it works

The creators of virtual reality glasses made sure that the user was comfortable.

One of the most important features of the Samsung Gear VR is that it is very easy to use these virtual reality glasses. In short, all you need to do is insert your smartphone into the holder and put on your glasses. In fact, everything is somewhat more complicated, but not very much.

When you put the glasses on your head, the proximity sensor is activated. If you already have the Oculus Skin installed on your smartphone, it will launch automatically. If not, it needs to be installed. Beginners in virtual reality need to go through a little training and agree to the user agreement. Well, then you can play, watch the video. Again, if you're a beginner, you'll first need to adjust your lenses to suit your needs.

Many application functions can be controlled using the cursor. You move your head, the cursor also moves. When you delay it on any menu item for a while, the item is revealed. On the glasses st and mechanical controls, and touch. The "Back" button, with a short press, takes you to the previous item, and with a long press, it sends you to the general menu. The Home button is needed to navigate to the main Oculus menu. The touchpad allows you to move the cursor, and double-tap on it allows you to use the functions of applications and open menu items.

The glasses have both mechanical and touch controls.

The glasses provide a bright and realistic image. You can view panoramic photos and videos. To do this, you just need to turn your head: just like you do it in reality. The quality of the picture largely depends on the original quality of the content. So far, virtual reality is still inferior to the real one in terms of drawing, so you are unlikely to confuse the world you live in with a game or a video tour. But what can be seen with the Samsung Gear VR is already impressive.

How to choose content

If you already have the Oculus Skin installed on your smartphone, it will launch automatically.

By the way, YouTube is not included in the list of supported applications. This means that if you want to watch a panoramic video from YouTube, you need to use a standard browser.

In the "Library" you will find applications that have already been downloaded and installed on your smartphone.

What content is currently available

What can we see in virtual reality? All apps in the store are divided into three categories:

Most of the games are various shooters. You control the sight with head movements and shoot where your gaze is directed. A large selection of games makes it possible to visit almost everywhere: on mountain peaks, in dungeons, in the depths of space.

After the huge wave of popularity that the first ones gathered, the company also created its own device. She decided not to reinvent the wheel, and followed in the footsteps of those already passed. She created, along with her version of a virtual reality helmet, which they called. Despite the fact that many users do not know how to use Gear VR, it is not at all difficult to do.

The first versions of the device appeared in 2014. The gadget weighs about 300 grams. Due to the fact that the Samsung Gear 360 is designed for use with Samsung flagships, virtual reality glasses use the built-in sensors of smartphones, but at the same time they also have their own “gadgets”, for example, a head tilt and pan sensor.

Make it simple. If you are using Gear VR for the first time, after the first connection, which will be through the mini-USB input, a notification will appear on the smartphone. It will ask you to disconnect it from Oculus Samsung Gear Vr in order to download a special Oculus program and start setting up your account.

This cannot be done through the interface of the virtual reality helmet itself, but there is good news, such setup and calibration will have to be done only once.

As you know, Gear VR virtual reality glasses were developed specifically for the Galaxy line of phones, and they are simply not compatible with smartphones from other manufacturers. At least physically, because not all phones can be inserted into glasses.

However, many users who set up and run the Samsung Gear VR report that they want to go to other virtual reality applications, such as others, but they fail. This is not strange, because they are not included in the product. But this problem is solved in the following way:

Disables the Oculus process that runs automatically when you put your phone in the helmet. You can do this with paid apps like Package Disable Pro.
The program starts and the Oculus services are disabled (there are three in total).
Gear VR turns into an ordinary Google Cardboard, which uses all the content for virtual reality glasses located in the Play Market.

If the user wants to switch back to the Samsung Gear VR mode, nothing will stop him - just resume the previous processes.

How to play games with Samsung glasses?

Not much for the Gear VR headset at the moment, but you can still choose something that you like. . You can even learn new skills in them, albeit in the virtual world.

In order to run any game, you must:

Install on your smartphone a special market program for glasses called Oculus;
Next, you need to connect the headphones to virtual reality glasses and install a smartphone in them;
Put on glasses and download\launch the 3D game.

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First commercial product on the Oculus platform

In September 2014, at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, Samsung, along with traditional mobile innovations, introduced something completely unexpected: the Samsung Gear VR virtual reality helmet. The word Gear in the name means that the device belongs to the line of wearable gadgets Samsung (Gear Fit, Gear S, Gear 2), and the abbreviation VR stands for virtual reality (virtual reality).

The device went on sale at the end of the year, although so far it is not distributed in all countries. In particular, Gear VR is not yet sold in Russia. However, this did not prevent us from getting acquainted with the novelty and getting an idea of its prospects. But first, let's look at the background of the appearance of this product, so as not to get confused in the future.

Background: Oculus Rift

In 2012, fans of new technologies were excited about the Oculus Rift project, which involved the creation of a virtual reality helmet. Fundraising on Kickstarter brought the authors of the project $2.4 million, and most importantly, the attention of investors from all over the world, who gave a total of another $91 million. This allowed the release of the first developer kit (a test version of the helmet) in the summer of 2013.

It was bulky, not particularly aesthetic in appearance, the screen resolution was only 1280x800 (640x800 for each eye). However, this was enough for the IT industry to fall in love with Oculus, and Mark Zuckerberg himself decided to buy the project, and even for a fabulous $2 billion. We emphasize that the young company has not yet reached payback and has not released the final commercial product at all, then it can be said that two billion were laid out for a classic startup.

The reasons why the founder and head of Facebook needed a company that creates a virtual reality helmet are still not entirely clear. If a game studio or some major player in the Entertainment market (such as Sony) stood behind the investor, then this could still be explained. But what is the connection between the social network and the Oculus project? Mystery. However, it is already clear that from the point of view of the expediency of investments, Zuckerberg did not fail: probably, today the capitalization of Oculus is already higher than the amount he paid.

Having hit the big jackpot, the guys from Oculus did not relax, but, on the contrary, began to storm new heights. Already in the summer of 2014, the second version of the development kit appeared: Oculus Rift DK2.

The picture resolution has grown to 1920×1080 (960×1080 for each eye), the body has become more compact. A commercial version is said to be coming out soon, and it will be based on DK2.

What's inside the Oculus Rift DK2? Craftsmen from iFixit dismantled the device and that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 display is used as a screen.

The illustration clearly shows that even the Samsung logo and the slot for the proprietary button remained intact.

Well, since Oculus still uses the smartphone's display, so why not use the entire smartphone, in addition to finding use for its electronics and sensors? Apparently, this is exactly what Samsung and Oculus argued. Already in June 2014, that Samsung and Oculus are jointly developing a virtual reality helmet that works in conjunction with a smartphone. And in September at IFA 2014 it became clear that these rumors were not groundless. True, it turned out that the final version does not work on the Galaxy S5, as expected, but on an even newer device: the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. And this gave a previously unattainable picture quality, since the Note 4 screen has a resolution of 2560 × 1440.

Thus, the helmet in this case acts as something like an accessory to a smartphone - unlike the Oculus Rift, it is not an independent device. But its cost is significantly lower than it could be in the case of a full-fledged device: on the official Samsung website, the helmet costs only $199, so for owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 this is quite an affordable option.

Our video review will help you make a first impression of the Samsung Gear VR virtual reality helmet:

Now let's look at the characteristics of new items.

Samsung Gear VR Specifications

Optical lenses: 96° field of view
Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, proximity sensor
Compatibility: Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Connection: Micro-USB
Dimensions: 198×116×90 mm
Weight: 379 g

Such a short list of characteristics is explained simply: all other components necessary for operation are used from a smartphone (you can find its detailed characteristics in our review).

Well, now let's take a closer look at the device.

Equipment

The Samsung Gear VR virtual reality helmet came to us in an unusual box with rounded shapes.

In the middle along the entire body is a zipper. Thus, when the zipper is fully unzipped, the box opens into two halves.

Inside the box is the helmet itself, as well as a cloth for cleaning the lenses of the helmet and the screen of the smartphone. In our case, a smartphone was also included in the box, but it is obvious that a commercial copy worth $199 will not have a smartphone, it must be purchased separately. But there will be a microSD memory card that you need to insert into your smartphone to download the contents of applications to it.

Noteworthy is the absence of any chargers and control units. But the helmet itself does not need to be recharged, it is powered by a smartphone, and the issue of controlling the helmet is solved using the case. How exactly - we will tell about this now.

Design

The helmet is a massive plastic structure, which is fixed on the head with two straps so that the main unit is right in front of the eyes.

On the inside (that is, adjacent to the user's face) side, the helmet has foam pads glued to a flexible silicone substrate. Thus, the helmet will fit snugly and comfortably to the face, regardless of the shape of the nose, the size of the eyes, etc. However, of course, you will have to slightly adjust the straps so that the whole structure stays firmly on the head and does not move out.

When you put on a helmet, right in front of your eyes are two lenses that are open on both your side and the opposite.

This is where the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 smartphone is placed - so that its screen is facing the lenses.

Fastening is as follows: the smartphone is inserted into the corresponding plug on the plastic protruding part on the left with the Micro-USB connector.

And on the right, the smartphone is fixed until it clicks with a plastic mount. If the smartphone needs to be removed from the helmet, then you need to press the ribbed button.

After the smartphone is fixed in the helmet, a cover made of translucent dark plastic is put on from the outer front side of the helmet (where we see the back of the smartphone). Again, to the point.

Now the fun part: the controls. There are three elements on the helmet body: first, the touchpad on the right; second, the physical back button (located right above the square touchpad). Everything is clear with the button, and as for the touchpad, it recognizes horizontal swipes (they work like scrolling - for example, when navigating through the menu) and single touches (taps), which work as a choice of the object that the cursor is hovering over. However, you don’t need a touchpad directly inside applications - all control is carried out simply by turning your head.

The third element is a ribbed wheel on the top. It is necessary in order to adjust the optimal position of the smartphone - a little closer or a little further from the eyes. For example, this can be very important for people who wear glasses (obviously, you cannot use a helmet with glasses on).

Evaluating the design of the helmet as a whole is quite difficult, because there is simply nothing to compare it with. And the issue of appearance, which usually arises in connection with wearable devices, is irrelevant here: the last thing a person in a helmet will think about is how he looks from the outside. If we talk specifically about the functional side of the issue, then perhaps the main complaint is the lack of headphones (the sound is played only using the smartphone’s built-in speakers), as well as the lack of a “Home” button, which would be very useful.

Headset use and preinstalled apps

Well, put on a helmet and start using it. The very first seconds of being in the helmet are impressive: we have a surprisingly three-dimensional image in front of us! We are shown information about precautions (and already at this stage the user breaks out in astonishment “wow!”), And then we get to the main menu.

It is, of course, three-dimensional: before us are huge (the size of a movie poster in a cinema) tiles with the names of applications. So, the starter kit includes: Oculus 360 Photos, Oculus 360 Videos, Tutorial, Cirque du Soleil's Zarkana, Oculus Cinema, VR Introduction, VR Gallery. Let's comment on each of these applications.

Tutorial - a guide that allows you to learn how to control the helmet, the first acquaintance with it;
VR Introduction - 360° promotional video showing the capabilities of the helmet
Oculus 360 Photos - lots of 360° photos (nature, famous landmarks, space, etc.);
Oculus 360 Videos - eight 360° videos
Oculus Cinema - A virtual cinema experience with seven 3D trailers and two multiscreen trailers
Cirque du Soleil's Zarkana - 360° promotional video for the circus show
VR Gallery is a virtual viewer for photos and videos that you have on your smartphone.

Readers, of course, have a question: what is “360 °” in this case? The easiest way to understand this is simply by wearing a helmet. But we will try to explain with a real life example. When you are in real space, the picture you see (or potentially see) is not just three-dimensional, as in a 3D movie, but surrounds you from all sides. You can turn to the right and see one thing, to the left - another, back - the third... Moreover, all these are not separate images (as in a multi-screen cinema), namely, that they are a single space.

That's exactly what the 360-degree image in Samsung Gear VR is. For example, in Oculus 360 Photos we can open a photo of the great Gaudí's Casa Mila in Barcelona and feel like we are on its roof. We see objects not only in front of us, but from all sides, including under our feet and above our heads. And in order for them to come into view, you just need to turn to them - just like in the real world.

There are three differences from the real world: firstly, you cannot see yourself (your arms, legs, body) - as if you have become an invisible person; secondly, you cannot move (that is, even if you take a real step, the image in front of your eyes will not change); and thirdly, you cannot touch objects and interact with them in any way.

However, even despite this, the immersion effect is many times stronger than even in the best IMAX cinema. In fact, you are deceiving your brain: it has no evidence of your presence here, and not in the space you see (except perhaps indirect signs of the unreality of this space). Sitting in a movie theater or playing video games, you can look the other way or at your feet - and see the real world. In a helmet, nothing but virtual space enters your field of vision. And it's amazing. You are in the Matrix :)

The Oculus Cinema application is very interesting. It imitates a cinema, that is, there are armchairs to the right and left of you, you are sitting approximately in the center of the hall, in front there is a large screen. On it, you can view one of seven 3D trailers: Interstellar, Transformers 4, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, and others. Feelings are almost the same as in a real cinema. It seems to you that the screen on which the video is shown is really huge. By the way, if you get bored with the “ordinary” cinema, you can “move” to a more intimate home theater and even to a cinema on the moon. The same seven trailers will be available there, only the screen will stand directly on the lunar surface, to your right you will see a chair with a projector, and in the distance above - the Earth. It would seem, pampering! But incredibly impressive!

Alas, there is not a single full movie here, and in general, the pre-installed set of applications resembles, rather, a certain advertising set: trailers, commercials ... Except that Oculus 360 Photos and Oculus 360 Videos can keep you busy for a long time. And for additional content, you need to go to the virtual store, accessible both from the helmet (of course, if you have an active Internet connection on your smartphone) and from your smartphone.

Smartphone applications

You will need the Oculus app to comfortably install additional apps or uninstall existing ones. On our copy of the smartphone, it was already installed.

If we enter the application itself and click on the menu on the left, we will see four items: Featured, Games, Apps and Experiences. These categories are the few applications for Gear VR that are currently available. There are 18 in total (including those already installed on the helmet).

Yes, yes, thousands or at least hundreds of applications are not here. And among what is, there are no real hits or things that could live in your helmet for a long time. On the other hand, the purpose of these applications is an experiment: to understand how and in what area a helmet can be used. Therefore, the developers did not pursue the quality and volume of content, but rather relied on the idea. For example, what if you put the user on stage next to a real rock band? That's the idea behind the NextVR app, which puts you behind Coldplay's Chris Martin performing A Sky Full of Stars.

But of course, games look especially interesting here. For example, Vanguard V. Imagine: you are flying in space, and you have to dodge oncoming asteroids, simultaneously shooting down various space objects with a laser. To shoot, it is enough to turn your head towards the object so that the sight hits it. Well, in order to successfully fly around a stone block that is rapidly approaching you, sometimes you have to bend down, and jump, and twitch to the side ...

So far, these are all very simple toys, but the mere thought that one day it will be possible to play Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed in the same way is breathtaking!

Impressions and conclusions

Samsung Gear VR, as well as its progenitor Oculus Rift, is still an experimental project for enthusiasts. The practical application of the device rests on the paucity of content. And the image quality is still not perfect: the picture is too grainy, and it catches the eye, so we are waiting for the resolution to be increased even more (so that's why you need ultra-high resolution in smartphones!). There is also a problem with eye fatigue: being in a helmet, you get tired pretty quickly.

In general, the problems can be listed for a long time. This is the lack of headphones (because of this, the helmet user cannot be in the same room with other people, as it interferes with them), and the short battery life (the smartphone in the helmet discharges rapidly). There is room to move in terms of interaction with a smartphone. For example, if a call arrives on a smartphone inserted into a helmet, then you cannot answer without removing the helmet - you need to pull out the phone (at least it’s good that you can answer the call without removing the helmet). It is also surprising that it is impossible to use the smartphone's camera to create augmented reality (although, it would seem, there are no technical obstacles for this - the smartphone is turned to the right side).

But you need to understand that this is the first step, and it is really impressive. During testing, I let colleagues and relatives wear the helmet. Everyone had the strongest impressions, almost no one remained indifferent. Because this is really something completely new, not comparable in terms of wow effect to either 3D in all forms, or even Google Glass smart glasses. Now we can safely say: virtual reality is no longer just words!

This innovative device certainly deserves our Editorial Original Design Award.

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Samsung GearVR Virtual Reality Glasses

Samsung GearVR virtual reality glasses were developed in partnership with Oculus. Now their price is not too high and many can afford such a purchase. With Samsung's fully immersive experience, the customer enjoys a comfortable 360-degree view to watch movies, play their favorite PC apps or games, work on projects, and more.

The most important detail of such glasses is the structure of the lens through which the user sees the screen of a smartphone or monitor. Now the innovative Innovator Edition model is presented, which was created specifically to work with the Samsung Galaxy S6. You can also choose a device that will function with the Galaxy Note 4 or other devices. When buying, choose the right holder for your smartphone. At almost the same cost, the methods of fastening a smartphone for these models are different.

Specifications of Samsung GearVR

The Samsung GearVR glasses use plastic lenses, and the skin-to-skin parts are made from high-quality leather substitutes. The device is equipped with a touch panel with a back button, volume and focus controls. The virtual glasses do not have their own battery, so they are connected for charging to devices via the micro-USB connector or connected to the smartphone with which they are used.

Samsung notes that Gear VR can be used with a headset and needs to be connected to the jack on the phone. But Samsung smartphones are equipped with excellent speakers that reproduce loud and surround sound, so there is no need to use headphones.

To directly connect the immersive glasses to your mobile gadget, use a cable that connects via the USB port to both devices and place your smartphone in a special holder. The Gear VR has a built-in sensor that indicates the readiness of the device to work. As soon as the user puts the device for complete immersion in another reality on his head, the Gear VR glasses will turn on and another world will surround the person once.

What is special about Gear VR?

When these glasses were first developed, experts set themselves the goal of making them accessible for use by people with poor eyesight. But there are some negative nuances. For example, putting on a virtual helmet over ordinary glasses is inconvenient, because there is not enough space inside. Of course, you can move the device for the effect of full presence on the tip of the nose, but this position will not allow you to enjoy all the effects of virtual reality to the fullest. Although, if contact lenses are used instead of glasses, then the user will not feel any discomfort at all.

I would like to note that the inserts made of leather substitute are very pleasant to the touch and soft, and the helmet sits very comfortably on the head. Thanks to the adjustment tools, each person can adjust the position of the glasses on the head for themselves personally. They are designed in such a way that they fit very tightly to the head and no light penetrates inside them, which creates the effect of complete immersion in another reality.

Samsung's Gear VR is highly sensitive to head movements. When conducting pre-sale tests, he reacted to any gesture, and there was not a single case that he did not work correctly. But if it suddenly happens that the glasses will incorrectly respond to nods and turns of the head, it is possible, without removing or turning it off, to quickly and accurately calibrate them. I would like to note the excellent quality and high definition of the image, where you can see even the smallest details. Even with a high-resolution screen (1440×2560) in the Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone, the glasses can show every pixel.

The developers have come up with another useful option. Let's say the user needs to see the screen of a mobile device, while not removing the virtual helmet from his head. It is enough to activate a special function and everything that is located in front will become available to the eye.

Samsung GearVR virtual glasses will receive notifications for the client, the same as on a regular smartphone about calls, SMS and important events. They will be activated at the moment when in the game the user is hanging in the air and is at rest. This feature is implemented so that without leaving the game, the gamer is always aware of important events taking place in the real world.

Watching videos and movies in Samsung GearVR

Virtual glasses are very different from 3D glasses because they have a 360-degree view. With Gear VR, you can fully immerse yourself in the video stream and rotate within it, and not just look around, as when watching 3D stereoscopic video. The total immersion device presents the image in two types of virtual format and successfully combines them. With the help of these glasses, it became possible to watch videos from a smartphone, both downloaded from third-party resources and filmed independently. To do this, you need to move the video file to a special section of the smartphone.

Purpose-built Oculus 360 Videos and Oculus Cinema apps for watching videos with Gear VR. One of them is used to watch special format films that can be found on the Internet.

With the second application in the Samsung GearVR helmet, you can watch ordinary flat movies. However, the picture there resembles a screen in a movie theater and is stretched over almost the entire visibility zone. However, when you turn your head, you can see the interior of the cinema itself along the edges, which can be changed if desired. An interesting feature of this application is that here you can choose where to watch the movie from. For example, you can watch a movie while sitting on the surface of the moon. The novelty of the experience is amazing and magnificent, and the virtual environment instantly reacts to the change in color and brightness on the cinema screen.

With the Oculus Cinema app, instead of going to the cinema, you can watch a movie with glasses, lying on your bed at home with headphones on your head. The only thing I would like to improve is the screen resolution so that the picture in Gear VR is more believable.

The main Oculus Gear VR app, built for the Gear VR headset, launches from the moment you put the glasses on your head.

Through this program, the user gets access to various content, which includes games, applications, videos, films and concerts in a panoramic format.

In the Gear VR menu, users will find free and paid content. An interesting detail is that in an open application without glasses connected, the menu has an ordinary flat design. But, if you connect a virtual helmet to a smartphone, the menu becomes a kind of room in which icons and application names float in the air.

The films “Jurassic World” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” make the biggest impression on users. Even on the Internet, performances of the circus du Soleil Curios are often watched. Shown in a 360-degree format, the choreography, plasticity, scenery and the magnificent atmosphere of the performance are simply captivating. And even after watching the performance of circus performers several times, the action does not let go of the viewer's attention until the very end. It is very exciting to watch music concerts. But, unfortunately, good recording quality is available only in demo versions, and full versions of materials are hard to find.

To play using the Samsung GearVR virtual helmet, you need to connect a Bluetooth controller.

There are some downsides to Samsung's Gear VR as well. One of them is the automatic launch of Oculus when putting on a virtual helmet and the inability to turn it off. Because of this, the client cannot use similar applications, although their choice is quite large.

However, there are loopholes. For example, a smartphone can simply be inserted into the holder without being connected to the USB port built into the glasses. Although this is quite feasible, the device will not hold well and may fall out, and the video can only be watched without performing any actions. For example, to stop the video, you need to remove the glasses from your head, remove the gadget from the holder and press pause on the screen. And it seems quite unnatural even compared to the available spherical videos on Youtube.

labyrinth

When playing the maze using the Samsung GearVR virtual glasses, you may experience some bad problems such as dizziness and nausea. Because of this, their use becomes uncomfortable and even painful. It is even more difficult to use a game with dynamic movement, where the user sees the image as if through the eyes of the protagonist. And although the player is sitting still, there is a rapid movement in his brain due to the incoming information, and this can be quite problematic for human perception. Indeed, in other applications, the user looks around while standing still and such contemplation is much clearer for the brain. Therefore, the conclusion suggests itself that it is better to watch movies in virtual glasses than to play.

The best virtual reality glasses for Samsung phone users.

When it comes to VR on phones, Samsung Gear VR has always been one of the best platforms out there. But now, paired with a motion controller, you have to convince yourself to buy a Samsung smartphone.

Verdict

For VR beginners, the new Gear VR is one of the best options on the market, and one of the most affordable, too. If you have one of the latest Samsung phones or one released in the last two years, this headset and controller combo is the best option.

Lighter and more comfortable;
Support for 2-year-old Samsung phones;
Excellent controller;

Larger and more expensive Daydream View;
The controller battery is not rechargeable;

The revised Gear VR (2017) features a streamlined, slightly improved design with a USB-C connector that supports both . However, an important aspect of the upgrade is the wireless controller.

It's a small remote that looks like the HTC Vive's controller, with a touchpad on top and a trigger. And until it wins originality awards, it just works. Placed on the right or left, the controller complements phone control, and motion control promises a new level of interactivity that was sorely lacking in the early Gear VR.

And while the number of games that support motion control is small at the moment, the start is quite good. was a step forward in that direction when it launched last year, but we expect Samsung and Oculus to catch up quickly.

Overall, with a solid and ever-growing collection of VR content and a new controller, the Gear VR headset is a painless recommendation. It is lighter, more comfortable and cross-compatible with older Samsung phones. However, if you already have a previous version of the headset, you can purchase the controller separately.

SamsunggearVR: Price and release date

The new Samsung Gear VR (2017) goes on sale April 21st for $129 and includes an updated VR headset and a new controller.

For users who already own the Gear VR, Samsung plans to sell the controller separately for $39.

For comparison, the 2015 Gear VR cost $99 (about 6,000 rubles), but has dropped in price at some retailers by almost half.

* International prices are 20-30% lower than Russian retail prices.

Design

The appearance of the new virtual glasses Samsung Gear VR relatively early versions is not day and night, however, the headset got rid of a quarter of the weight. Compared to Google's slender and smaller Daydream View headset, the Gear VR's size is still monstrous, but the extra size is dictated by its set of unique features versus Google's One-Size-Fits-All headset.

First, the optics inside the goggles can be adjusted with a dial (outside the goggles) to properly focus the image in relation to the eyes. The Google Headset is fixed focus and may require some extra effort to get a clear picture.

Mounting and light protection have always been good on the Gear VR and the new model is no exception. A welcome upgrade is the headset's breathability. The first iteration of the VR headset simply fogged up after a few minutes of use, fogging up on the lenses like a mirror after a hot shower. However, additional vents under the eyes correct the problem.

Compared to the previous model, the pillows that adhere to the face around the eyes and nose have become noticeably cozier and more comfortable. In the box, you will find a controller holder that can be mounted on the head strap, very convenient for accessory storage.

The buttons and port layout are familiar on the new headset, although they have received some tweaks. To align with the layout of the new controller, the new headset's touchpad has a home button so you can switch from whatever app or game you're using.

A controversial decision, but Samsung offers stick-like solutions for the touchpad. Of course, if you've used the Gear VR before, you'll probably get the hang of the change easily. But early adopters of VR may be puzzled, as the new solution doesn't present the most intuitive control scheme.

Instead of using the original microUSB location on the bottom of the Gear VR, which was used to keep the phone charged, the new headset features a USB-C port that performs the same function. Samsung is touting it as a feature-packed port, so it's highly likely we'll see additional accessories that expand the headset's functionality like a controller.

Samsung includes a replaceable MicroUSB dongle that provides compatibility with the following devices:

Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Plus

And most likely refurbished versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

ControllerSamsung next to the controllerdaydream.

ControllerSamsunggearVR (2017)

The small controller, of course, becomes the highlight of the headset, so let's deal with it. The motion-enabled controller is dark, just like the Gear VR 2017, although it also looks great with the old model.

Powered by two AAA batteries, the small controller has a volume control as well as a circular touch pad, back and home buttons mimicking the buttons on the side of the headset. There is a built-in trigger at the back, which will be nice to use in first-person shooters.

There are several games that support the controller and the overall gameplay is up to par if you've ever played with a Daydream headset or even a Nintendo Wii. You can aim with the controller in the virtual reality world, shoot or pick up objects. Compared to others, the Samsung controller performs on the same level.

For most customers who pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus early, the new headset and controller are available for free. However. Even at $2200, the new controller is a welcome and well-built addition to the Gear VR family.

Software

Samsung has made the controller compatible with the applications and games that are now available to users. The trigger and touchpad perform the same simple "Confirm" command, but the ability to use them otherwise is not yet available.

Considering the Samsung Gear VR first debuted in 2015, it's no surprise that the headset has amassed a sizable library of games and apps.

The Samsung Gear VR has made a name for itself by featuring very popular titles like Eve Gunjack, Minecraft and Lands End. Plus, if you're itching to try something new, you'll be able to enjoy new releases everywhere as the developer community isn't stingy with new games in the store.

Compared to Google Daydream, Samsung has a much larger library of titles, but given the abundance of products, the issue of quality comes up quite often. However, the five-star rating system does a decent job of keeping users informed.

The gyroscope built into the controller cannot solve the problems of the Samsung headset lagging behind sudden head movements, but it will allow your hand to rest instead of constantly holding it next to the temple by pressing the headset buttons.

However, when you run older games based on head movements, it seems strange that the motion controller stops working altogether. Software and motion control fragmentation is an issue that Google Daydream View hasn't seen, but it doesn't last long since all new games are released with controller support.

Performance

The gaming experience you've come to expect from the new Samsung Gear VR headset relies entirely on the smartphone you place inside. If it's a Samsung Galaxy S8, every game and app will run without a hitch thanks to (Exynos 8895 in Russia) and 4GB of RAM.

Due to the fact that the new headset is compatible with a wider range of Samsung phones released in the last two years, your performance results will vary. It's safe to say that the older your smartphone's chipset, the more likely you are to experience frame drops and rapid overheating, forcing you to stop gaming until your phone cools down.

Luckily, the company has been mounting 2560 x 1440 pixel panels on its flagships since 2015 (the S8 and S8 Plus are 2960 x 1440), so you can expect one level of pixel density no matter what smartphone you're using.

Pairing the controller with your phone couldn't be easier. Like the magical process of connecting AirPods to iPhone, with a single tap on the new motion controller, you request a connection to the nearest smartphone.

Verdict

The new Samsung Gear VR is a small evolution with minor changes and improvements. And while the headset outshines the Google Daydream View in terms of size, it offers notable benefits, along with focus adjustment and broad device compatibility.

The inclusion of a motion controller makes the Gear VR worth buying if this is your first entry into the world of VR. And while the batch of software supporting the controller is fairly small, the potential for VR gaming fans is huge, given that Oculus (Facebook) and Samsung are working together to develop the controller.

The decision to buy a new Gear VR (2017) depends on the phone you are using or considering buying. Samsung has decided not to support Google Daydream while Google is working with companies such as ZTE, Motorola and Huawei.