The original Gear VR headset actually did quite well, for a VR headset it’s always been a bit of a niche product. Its main issue, aside from being the best part of £200, is limited device compatibility: that is to say if you don’t have a Galaxy Note 4, you can’t use the Gear VR.
On a related note Samsung just launched two, yes two, new flagship smartphones, the number of VR-compatible smartphones from Samsung has just tripled. And with that we get Gear VR Innovator Edition for Galaxy S6 and S6 edge.
Samsung says the new headset is 15 percent smaller than the original due to the reduction in the phones’ screen size — the S6 has a 5.1-inch display, while the Note 4 has a 5.7-inch unit. It’s also has improved graphical performance more powerful chips equals better graphics. The Gear VR does have a couple of additions over its predecessor: Samsung’s redesigned the straps, giving it “better weight balance,” and has also introduced mechanical ventilation to make it more comfortable to use the Gear VR for longer periods.
The final upgrade is the introduction of a USB port, which will let you charge your S6 while it’s inside the headset. This will reduce the playtime on the new headset, but will increase it on your phone… That’s because the S6 has a far smaller (2,600mAh versus 3,220mAh) battery, making charging a necessity for longer sessions, and somewhat negating one of the Gear VR’s main benefits over the competition — the fact that it’s untethered. Side note, Samsung it’s not worth making it thinner if you have to sacrifice battery life.
You’ll still have access to content from Samsung, Oculus and their partners, including 360-degree movies, VR games and other apps. That means there’s still a distinct lack of content — the current selection basically consists of free demos and experiences — but hopefully we’ll hear something from Oculus on its plans for the Oculus Store soon. There’s no word on price or availability, but probably £200 odd and hopefully be available close to the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge’s April launch date.