For Samsung Galaxy owners the Galaxy Gear VR headset is a great and affordable way to experience entry-level virtual reality technology.
2016 is shaping up to be the year that virtual reality technology steps out of the laboratory and into the living room. With the likes of the Oculus Rift, HTC Hive and Playstation VR all set for commercial releases, it’s smartphone giant Samsung who have decided to launch a more affordable, entry-level VR headset.
Right off the bat it needs to be said that to use the Galaxy Gear VR headset you’ll need a Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, Galaxy S6, S6 Edge or a Note 5. This makes it a no-brainer if you already own a newer model Galaxy phone, and if you don’t it might work out to be more expensive that what you’re willing to pay.
What’s great about Galaxy Gear VR is it’s mobility. Yes, there are other more powerful (and expensive) options when it comes to VR, but they all need to be tethered to a PC or Playstation. The Galaxy Gear VR headset is mobile enough to take anywhere, allowing you to escape into a virtual world at any time.
There’s also no shortage of content for the Galaxy Gear, with a heap of different games and apps available for purchase. Keep in mind that for some of the more interactive games you’ll need a bluetooth compatible Android controller, but there are still plenty of games to keep you busy without a controller.
All-in-all, the Galaxy Gear VR is a great way to experience virtual reality without having to pay a fortune. The headset is available in South Africa for an estimated retail price of around R1,700.
