Samsung Gear VR SM-R323 (2016)

Even though many predicted 2016 to be the year of VR it has failed to ignite the interest expected. Oculus shipping delays and HTC Vive pricing have both served to ensure full, high-end virtual reality's uptake is slow.

Affordable. Easy to attach. Great audio-visual quality for a phone-based VR accessory. A growing library of apps and games. This model is more comfortable than earlier versions, and you can charge the phone while using it.

Only works with a specific collection of Samsung phones. Oculus PC game and app library isn't cross-compatible with Android or Google Cardboard VR ecosystems. Lacks the positional awareness of PC-based VR rigs. Limited inputs mean it's less immersive...

The latest Gear VR adds compatibility with Samsung's latest phones and cements its position as the best mobile VR product right now.

Easy setup. Comfortable. Relatively inexpensive.

Not as visually impressive or technically powerful as PC-based headsets. No charging cable included.

Conclusions The new Samsung Gear VR is a functional, accessible, and affordable way to play with VR if you have a compatible Galaxy phone, and anyone with even a passing interest in VR should seriously consider giving it a shot. Outside of the USB-C...

Affordable. Easy to attach. Great audio-visual quality for a phone-based VR accessory. A growing library of apps and games. This model is more comfortable than earlier versions, and you can charge the phone while using it

Only works with a specific collection of Samsung phones. Oculus PC game and app library isn't cross-compatible with Android or Google Cardboard VR ecosystems. Lacks the positional awareness of PC-based VR rigs. Limited inputs mean it's less immersive...

The latest Gear VR adds compatibility with Samsung's latest phones and cements its position as the best mobile VR product right now.

Far superior experience to Google Cardboard ; Generally comfortable to wear (some nose-cushion issues notwithstanding) ; Focus adjustment supports users in need of corrective lenses ; Accessible, well done UI

Limited selection of apps (and pricy ones at that) ; Picture has a tendency to fog up ; Cushioning should be more adjustable ; Stuttering, jerky performance detracts form VR effect

Improved lightweight design ; Cordless and easy to use ; Diverse array of content ; Improved lightweight design ; Cordless and easy to use ; Diverse array of content

Gamepad greatly improves the experience ; Walled Garden ; No killer app ; Gamepad greatly improves the experience ; Walled Garden ; No killer app

However, for all of its improvements, the Samsung Gear VR still feels like a novelty item. It’s a fun novelty item with tons of interactive immersive apps, but there’s not much I could truly see myself returning to time and time again.

Sleeker, more comfortable design ; Very affordable ; Backwards compatibility with older Galaxy smartphones ; Wider field of view adds to immersion ; Improved app-store interface

Lacks integrated audio

The updated Samsung Gear VR delivers a more immersive experience with even more high-quality games and apps, all in a sleeker, more comfortable headset.

Samsung could have easily released the exact same Gear VR we already had with a USB-C port and Note 7 users would have been just as happy. The change had to happen, Samsung needed to support USB Type-C, and having a phone as amazing as the Note 7...