Samsung just recently released a new third-generation version of Gear VR; its budget-friendly, phone-powered headset with a cool new controller. The latest product aims to be simple, packed with fun features, and low-priced. It is a wireless and cheap way to turn your Galaxy phone into a delightful capable basic virtual reality device that continues to be impressive as years go by.
The new VR headset is similar to the previous model, but it has a new software and controller. For those who want to stick to their budget, then you can forego buying the new headset if you have an old one, and just buy the new controller instead. It works with a series of the Galaxy phones such as the S8 Plus, S8, S7, S7 Edge, Note 5, S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+, and is fully equipped with Micro USB and USB-C adapters.
The new Gear VR budget headset does not have the same high-end VR hardware as the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. Those devices need a cutting-edge PC, while Samsung's headset works with wired and wireless headphones. According to New Atlas, there's also no positional tracking on mobile VR, so you can't really walk around, stand up and down or lean.
However, if you know its limits, the headset's new controller can add more fun and immersion to mobile VR. It spices up the Gear VR platform, which is becoming a little stale next to the more expensive PC systems. The latest headset's games mostly use the controller for simulating basic weapons or magic wands, and points at things, which are enough to add a refreshing feature in the mobile VR.
The best thing about this latest Gear VR model is, again, its affordability, and having a large app library. According to CNET, the new remote controller is also comfortable and easy to use. It feels similar to Google's Daydream View VR headset, but its comprehensive library content and software design make it a great device for entry-level VR viewing on the go.
