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Samsung Gear VR

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Samsung Gear VR
Basic Info
VR/AR Virtual Reality
Type Head-mounted display
Subtype Mobile VR
Platform Oculus Home
Creator Samsung, Oculus VR
Developer Samsung, Oculus VR
Manufacturer Samsung
Announcement Date September 3, 2014 (IFA Berlin)
Release Date November 27, 2015 (consumer version)
Price $99 (consumer), $129 (2017 with controller)
Website https://www.samsung.com/ (discontinued)
Versions SM-R320 (Innovator), SM-R321, SM-R322, SM-R323, SM-R324, SM-R325
Requires Compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Predecessor None
Successor None (discontinued)
System
Operating System Oculus Home (Android-based)
Chipset Powered by smartphone
CPU Powered by smartphone
GPU Powered by smartphone
Storage
Storage Powered by smartphone
Memory Powered by smartphone
SD Card Slot Via smartphone
Display
Display Smartphone display (AMOLED)
Subpixel Layout PenTile (smartphone dependent)
Peak Brightness Smartphone dependent
Resolution Smartphone dependent (up to 2960 × 1440)
Pixel Density Smartphone dependent
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Persistence Low persistence
Image
Field of View 96° (early models), 101° (SM-R323+)
Horizontal FoV ~96-101°
Vertical FoV ~96-101°
Average Pixel Density Smartphone dependent
Peak Pixel Density Smartphone dependent
Foveated Rendering No
Optics
Optics Aspheric lenses
Ocularity Binocular
IPD Range Focus wheel adjustment
Adjustable Diopter Yes (focus wheel)
Passthrough No
Tracking
Tracking 3DoF (rotational only)
Tracking Frequency 1000Hz (IMU)
Base Stations None required
Eye Tracking No
Face Tracking No
Hand Tracking No
Body Tracking No
Rotational Tracking Yes
Positional Tracking No
Update Rate 60Hz
Tracking Volume Stationary/seated
Play Space Stationary
Latency <20ms motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio Via smartphone (3.5mm or Bluetooth)
Microphone Via smartphone
3.5mm Audio Jack Pass-through from smartphone
Camera No (phone camera not used)
Connectivity
Connectivity USB (Micro-USB or USB-C)
Ports USB to smartphone
Wired Video No
Wireless Video No
WiFi Via smartphone
Bluetooth Via smartphone
Power Powered by smartphone
Battery Capacity N/A (uses phone battery)
Battery Life ~2-3 hours (drains phone battery)
Charge Time N/A
Device
Dimensions 207.8 × 122.5 × 98.6mm (SM-R325)
Weight 345g (with controller)
Material Plastic
Headstrap Elastic straps
Haptics Controller haptics (2017 version)
Color Frost White, Blue Black, Orchid Gray
Sensors Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, geomagnetic sensor
Input Touchpad, back button, volume keys, Gear VR Controller (2017)
Compliance FCC, CE

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The Samsung Gear VR is a discontinued mobile VR head-mounted display developed by Samsung Electronics in collaboration with Oculus VR, first announced at IFA Berlin on September 3, 2014. The consumer version launched on November 27, 2015 at a price of $99.99, establishing the Gear VR as one of the most accessible and widely-adopted VR headsets of the early VR era. Unlike PC VR headsets, the Gear VR used a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone as its display and processor—users simply inserted their phone into the headset shell, which provided optics, an IMU for enhanced head tracking, and a touchpad for input. Through the partnership with Oculus, Gear VR users accessed content via the Oculus Home platform, giving them access to thousands of VR experiences. The Gear VR service was officially terminated on September 30, 2020, marking the end of an era for smartphone-based VR.

History and Development

Samsung-Oculus Partnership

Collaboration announced in 2014:

  • Samsung provided hardware manufacturing
  • Oculus provided VR expertise and platform
  • Leveraged Galaxy AMOLED displays
  • Combined mobile and VR innovation

IFA 2014 Announcement

Unveiled alongside Galaxy Note 4:

  • "Innovator Edition" designation
  • Developer-focused initial release
  • Limited initial availability
  • Technology demonstration

Innovator Edition

Early versions for developers:

  • SM-R320 (Note 4 compatible)
  • SM-R321 (S6 compatible)
  • Limited retail availability
  • $199-$249 price point

Consumer Version

Mass market release November 2015:

  • SM-R322 model
  • $99.99 retail price
  • Wider Galaxy compatibility
  • Oculus Home platform

Subsequent Versions

Regular hardware updates:

  • SM-R323 (2016): USB-C support, wider FOV (101°)
  • SM-R324 (2017): Note 8 support, controller included
  • SM-R325 (2017): Latest version with controller

Design Philosophy

Mobile VR Accessibility

Core design principle:

  • Leverage existing smartphone investment
  • Low additional cost ($99)
  • No PC required
  • Easy setup and portability

Smartphone as Computer

Utilizing mobile hardware:

  • Galaxy's AMOLED display for VR
  • Mobile processor for rendering
  • Phone's storage for content
  • Existing app ecosystem

Enhanced Tracking

Beyond smartphone sensors:

  • Custom IMU in headset
  • Lower latency than phone alone
  • 1000Hz sensor polling
  • Smoother head tracking

Hardware Generations

SM-R320 (Innovator Edition for Note 4)

First generation:

  • Compatible with Galaxy Note 4
  • 96° field of view
  • Micro-USB connection
  • Focus wheel

SM-R321 (Innovator Edition for S6)

S6 compatibility:

  • Galaxy S6, S6 edge support
  • Similar specifications
  • White color option

SM-R322 (Consumer Edition 2015)

Mass market version:

  • Galaxy Note 5, S6 series support
  • $99.99 price
  • Blue Black color
  • Improved comfort

SM-R323 (2016)

Major upgrade:

  • USB-C port added (alongside Micro-USB)
  • 101° field of view (expanded)
  • Galaxy Note 7, S7 support
  • Blue Black color

SM-R324 (2017)

With controller bundle:

  • Galaxy S8, Note 8 support
  • Gear VR Controller included
  • Orchid Gray color
  • $129 price point

SM-R325 (2017)

Final version:

  • Galaxy S9 series support
  • Latest compatible model
  • Continued controller inclusion
  • Same $129 price

Display Technology

Smartphone Display

Resolution depended on phone:

  • Galaxy S9+: 2960 × 1440
  • Galaxy S8: 2960 × 1440
  • Galaxy Note 8: 2960 × 1440
  • Galaxy S6: 2560 × 1440

AMOLED Advantages

Samsung display benefits:

  • True blacks
  • Fast pixel response
  • Low persistence possible
  • Good color saturation

PenTile Subpixels

Samsung AMOLED characteristic:

  • Diamond PenTile arrangement
  • Visible screen door effect
  • Trade-off for OLED benefits

Optical System

Aspheric Lenses

Simple optical design:

  • Fixed aspheric lenses
  • 96-101° field of view
  • Adequate for mobile VR

Focus Wheel

Diopter adjustment:

  • Focus wheel on top
  • Adjustable for different vision
  • Reduces need for glasses
  • Convenient feature

Field of View Evolution

Improved over time:

  • 96° (SM-R320, R321, R322)
  • 101° (SM-R323+)
  • Competitive with mobile VR peers

Tracking System

3DoF Only

Rotational tracking only:

  • No positional tracking
  • Seated/stationary experiences
  • Head rotation captured
  • Limited movement

Custom IMU

Enhanced sensors:

  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Geomagnetic sensor
  • Better than phone IMU alone

Low Latency

Tracking performance:

  • 1000Hz IMU polling
  • Low motion-to-photon latency
  • Reduced motion sickness
  • Smooth head tracking

Gear VR Controller

2017 Addition

Wireless motion controller:

  • Included with SM-R324/R325
  • 3DoF tracking
  • Trigger, trackpad, buttons
  • AAA battery powered

Controller Features

Input options:

  • Trackpad for navigation
  • Trigger button
  • Back and home buttons
  • Volume control

Interaction Model

Pointer-based interface:

  • Laser pointer metaphor
  • Point and click interaction
  • Menu navigation
  • Game interaction

Phone Compatibility

Compatible Devices

Samsung Galaxy phones only:

  • Galaxy Note 8
  • Galaxy S9, S9+
  • Galaxy S8, S8+
  • Galaxy S7, S7 edge
  • Galaxy Note 5
  • Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+

Exclusions

Not compatible:

  • Galaxy S6/S7/S8 Active
  • Non-Samsung Android phones
  • iPhones
  • Other manufacturers

Connection Types

Dual USB support (later models):

  • Micro-USB (older phones)
  • USB-C (newer phones)
  • Both ports on headset

Software Platform

Oculus Home

Content ecosystem:

  • Oculus-powered store
  • Thousands of apps and experiences
  • 360° videos
  • VR games

Notable Content

Popular experiences:

  • Netflix VR
  • Minecraft Gear VR Edition
  • 360° video content
  • Social VR apps

Samsung VR Video

Media platform:

  • 360° video content
  • Samsung-curated content
  • Discontinued September 2020

Physical Design

Construction

Plastic shell design:

  • Lightweight plastic body
  • Elastic head straps
  • Foam face padding
  • Phone cradle mechanism

Touchpad

Side-mounted input:

  • Touch-sensitive trackpad
  • Tap and swipe gestures
  • Back button
  • Volume controls

Weight

Reasonable for mobile VR:

  • 345g with controller
  • Plus phone weight
  • Acceptable comfort
  • Elastic strap distribution

Ventilation

Heat management:

  • Passive ventilation
  • Phone generates heat
  • Can get warm during use

Audio

No Built-In Audio

Relies on smartphone:

  • 3.5mm pass-through
  • Bluetooth headphone support
  • Phone speakers (not ideal)
  • User provides audio solution

Use Cases

Video Consumption

Primary use case:

  • 360° video viewing
  • Netflix, Hulu VR
  • YouTube VR
  • Virtual cinema experiences

Casual Gaming

Mobile VR games:

  • Casual game experiences
  • Puzzle games
  • Exploration games
  • Limited interaction (3DoF)

Social VR

Communication:

  • Oculus Rooms
  • Social spaces
  • Avatar interaction
  • Virtual hangouts

Education and Training

Enterprise applications:

  • Training simulations
  • Educational content
  • Real estate tours
  • Product demonstrations

Commercial Impact

Market Penetration

Widespread adoption:

  • Millions of units sold
  • Often bundled with phones
  • Accessible price point
  • Introduced many to VR

VR Awareness

Cultural impact:

  • First VR for many users
  • Demonstrated VR potential
  • Built VR interest
  • Mainstream exposure

Limitations Exposed

Mobile VR challenges:

  • 3DoF not enough for advanced VR
  • Overheating issues
  • Battery drain
  • Phone compatibility fragmentation

Service Discontinuation

September 30, 2020

End of service:

  • Oculus Home support ended
  • Content no longer accessible
  • Samsung VR Video discontinued
  • Hardware rendered largely useless

Reasons

Market evolution:

  • Standalone VR (Quest) superior
  • Mobile VR market declined
  • 3DoF obsolete
  • Development ceased

Legacy

VR Accessibility

Pioneered affordable VR:

  • $99 entry point
  • Millions experienced VR
  • Proved mobile VR demand
  • Market validation

Standalone VR Foundation

Led to Quest development:

  • Lessons from mobile VR
  • User experience research
  • Content ecosystem development
  • Oculus partnership continued

Market Lessons

Industry learnings:

  • 6DoF necessary for immersion
  • Standalone better than phone-dependent
  • Quality matters over convenience
  • Content ecosystem critical

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification Details
Display Smartphone AMOLED
Resolution Phone dependent (up to 2960×1440)
FOV 96-101°
Tracking 3DoF (rotational only)
Sensors Custom IMU (accelerometer, gyro, magnetic)
Controller Gear VR Controller (3DoF)
Compatibility Samsung Galaxy phones
Connection USB (Micro-USB/USB-C)
Weight 345g (without phone)
Price $99-$129
Status Discontinued (September 2020)

See Also

References

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