Samsung Gear VR New (SM-R325)

Samsung Gear VR virtual reality glasses, the 2017 version, are compatible with flagship smartphones of the South Korean brand from the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series. Owners of these mobile gadgets have access to all the delights of VR technology — viewing photos and videos with a 360° angle, 3D gaming, and virtual tours of unexplored places.

Familiar Format

The model features a clear similarity with previous versions of the line (the Samsung Gear VR CE headset and earlier series representatives). VR glasses are secured with Velcro straps around the back and top of the head. To adjust focus, there's a wheel on top of the headset. Other controls on the model's "body" include a touch panel on the left side and a pair of mechanical buttons.

Compatibility

The headset can accommodate smartphones starting from the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Newer devices are installed on a USB-C connector, and for more familiar market models, a special bundled adapter for the microUSB port is provided. During gaming or consuming VR content, users can power their mobile phones from the mains.

Remote Control

Perhaps the most crucial role in the VR headset's package is assigned to the remote control with a joystick and a quartet of buttons on the front and a trigger at the back. It is powered by two AAA batteries and is extremely helpful in games. Fortunately, a great number have been created for Samsung Gear VR New, thanks to collaboration with Oculus, which helped create a store with an impressive amount of exclusive content.

Slice of the Pie

The headset would benefit from support for more smartphones and a less smudgy glossy plastic panel at the front — the model would be unrivaled. As it stands, the Samsung Gear VR New has only taken a small slice of the pie in the mobile device-oriented virtual reality glasses market, and no significant expansion of its influence is expected in its current form.