Gear VR
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| Gear VR | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | Mobile VR |
| Platform | Oculus Home (Android) |
| Developer | Samsung, Oculus VR |
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Announcement Date | September 24, 2015 (Oculus Connect 2) |
| Release Date | November 20, 2015 |
| Price | $99 USD |
| Website | https://www.samsung.com/ |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | Samsung phone display (Super AMOLED) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 96° (101° for later models) |
| Optics | |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (rotational only) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Phone speakers / 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
| Weight | Variable (headset + phone) |
| Input | Touchpad, back button, controller |
The Samsung Gear VR is a mobile virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Samsung Electronics in collaboration with Oculus VR, announced at Oculus Connect 2 on September 24, 2015 and released on November 20, 2015 at $99. The first consumer-focused VR system resulting from a two-year Samsung-Oculus partnership, the Gear VR uses a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone as both the display and processor, with the headset providing optics, IMU for rotational tracking, and controls. Supporting over 100 apps at launch via Oculus Home, the Gear VR made VR accessible to millions of Samsung users before the service terminated on September 30, 2020.
History and Development
Samsung and Oculus announced the consumer Gear VR at Oculus Connect 2 in September 2015, releasing it on November 20, 2015 after earlier developer/innovator editions. The device sold out on launch day. Multiple generations supported successive Samsung flagship phones through 2019. The Gear VR service officially terminated on September 30, 2020, five years after launch, as the VR market shifted to standalone headsets like the Oculus Quest.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Phone-powered display:
- Samsung Galaxy phone display
- Super AMOLED technology
- High pixel density
- Vibrant colors
- Phone provides resolution
- Variable by phone model
Optics
- 96° field of view (early models)
- 101° field of view (R323+)
- Custom lenses
- Wide sweet spot
Tracking
Enhanced rotational tracking:
- 3DoF tracking (rotation only)
- No positional tracking
- Custom IMU
- Oculus rotational tracking tech
- <20ms MTP latency
- Fast, accurate head tracking
- Phone sensors + headset IMU
Input
Multiple control options:
- Side touchpad
- Back button
- Proximity sensor
- Volume controls
- Touchpad gestures
- Improved touchpad (2015 revision)
Build
Headset shell design:
- 22% lighter than predecessor
- New foam cushioning
- Improved comfort
- Phone snap-in mechanism
- Adjustable straps
- Micro USB/USB-C connection
- Focus wheel adjustment
Compatible Devices
Early Models (SM-R322)
- Galaxy Note 5
- Galaxy S6
- Galaxy S6 Edge
- Galaxy S6 Edge+
Later Models
- Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge
- Galaxy Note 7
- Galaxy S8 / S8+
- Galaxy Note 8
- Galaxy S9 / S9+
- Galaxy Note 9
- Galaxy S10 series
Software
Oculus Home
- Main software platform
- App distribution
- Content library
- Social features
Launch Content
- 100+ apps/games at launch
- 360° video
- VR games
- Experiences
- Social VR
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Phone Super AMOLED |
| FOV | 96°-101° |
| Tracking | 3DoF (rotation) |
| Latency | <20ms MTP |
| Input | Touchpad + back button |
| Platform | Oculus Home |
| Phones | Galaxy S6-S10 series |
| Price | $99 |
| Service End | September 30, 2020 |
Reception
Praise:
- $99 accessible price
- First consumer VR system
- Samsung phone ecosystem
- Super AMOLED quality
- <20ms latency achieved
- 100+ launch apps
- Easy setup
- Portable VR
- Millions of potential users
- VR democratization
Criticism:
- 3DoF only (no positional)
- Phone overheating issues
- Battery drain significant
- Limited to Samsung phones
- No motion controllers initially
- Phone weight front-heavy
- Service terminated 2020
- Superseded by Quest
- Cable friction when docking
- Screen door effect visible[2]