Samsung Gear VR

If you’re a newcomer to virtual reality then the Gear VR is an affordable try-it-out option. It’s not going to compete with the PC-powered or standalone VR headsets, but if you’re already a Samsung Galaxy owner then it’s a pretty good pick. The content selection continues to grow and it’s also easy to use once it’s set up. The fact there’s now a controller means that it’s so much easier to play games too. However, if you don’t already own a Galaxy Smartphone, then it’s probably not the best choice given that it won’t be compatible with your existing phone.

If you’re interested in VR and are looking for a new smartphone, then Gear VR should be sufficient reason to turn your head Samsung’s way. You don’t have to spend a fortune, nor will you need a high-spec PC to run any of its games, unlike with the premium Oculus and HTC headsets. This 3rd generation Gear VR is also much more comfortable than previous editions, which means you can play for longer periods of time, and the addition of a motion controller vastly improves the interactivity of the VR experience.

I just can't recommend Gear VR enthusiastically until I feel the store and platform are richer and more stable. And if games aren't your thing, there also just isn't enough there. VR content platforms like Samsung VR and Within still feel like a stack of early demos and short movies made by content creators who did a few things and then left. There's no continual stream of new, engaging apps. Samsung's Gear VR headset becomes much more usable with a handheld controller, but finding good virtual reality content is frustrating.

This headset is exceptionally comfortable to wear and is incredibly immersive. It's easy to use and while it doesn't offer quite the same level of interactiveness that the tethered headsets have, this product retails at a fraction of the price.