Is it worth it? My phone upgrade is not for another year, and I have an iPhone. I would buy an oculus, but I have a GTX 650 and if I bought a new GPU, it would cost more than the gear vr setup. Also, gear vr is technically a finished product, and there would be a better experience on the Gear VR.
Though I have owned the N4 Gear since launch I think the S6 version is better, so if buying a phone just for the Gear VR, the S6 version is the way to go for these reasons:
1. The N4 version is more immersive, but movies and video are too close and like in the front rows. This is why the screen door effect sticks out and detail is not great. The S6 version is less immersive, but there is less screen door and more detail since not as close up.
2. S6 does not overheat as much as the N4 with VR gaming
3. S6 version has ability to power the device with micro usb (can't use it for external storage though- only power)
4. The fan helps with fogging
5. It is lighter
Seems a slam dunk for the S6 version IMO. Catch for me though is the Note 4 phone rocks and I have no desire to lose the replaceable battery or micro sd slot.
If I had money to burn though, I would get the S6 version if just for Gear VR.
So I'm interested in VR. Looks like the inexpensive headset from Samsung ($99) doesn't support the note 4 without physically modifying the unit for the note 4 to fit? I'm going by what I've read and seen on YouTube as I have not tried for myself.
While searching around, I've found several generic VR headset that come with a Bluetooth remote controller for about $20.
My question is for those familiar with VR. Seems to me like when you dock your note 4 in a Samsung VR headset via USB it put the phone in a VR mode where you can launch and control games, videos, etc...
So can you do the same with one of these generic headset that do not have a usb docking port?
Obviously I'm sure you could play VR youtube videos, but what about the occulus gallery? The VR specific games? Can you force the note 4 into whatever VR mode the Samsung branded headset initializes (by usb docking) without it being usb docked?
Hoping someone who has used VR on the note 4 will chime in with some advice.
Many thanks in advance.
I'm curious to this too.
I bought a Samsung branded gear VR, the consumer edition ($99 one) on Craigslist and cut it to fit my note 4. All the controls work by my rom isn't loading the oculus gear VR software, so I've been using it with google cardboard stuff. Youtube videos, cardboard games and stuff. It works fine as a fancy cardboard. Just thought I'd let that be known.
hello
is there any noticeable difference between a cheap vr (shinecon vr 2.0) and samsung gear vr ?
someone who tried both ?
i am not referring to google cardboard, obviously the gear vr is a lot better
szabyka95 said:
hello
is there any noticeable difference between a cheap vr (shinecon vr 2.0) and samsung gear vr ?
someone who tried both ?
i am not referring to google cardboard, obviously the gear vr is a lot better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
The main thing with Gear VR is that you have many features into the glasses.
You have buttons, a touch pad, volume control and many other things.
As for the "generic" ones you will need controller for the simplest things like to start a game.
Even though you can use apps from play store, the best thing is that there is a dedicated store for Gear VR users (Oculus)
If you got a compatible Samsung device, I would recommend, for sure, a Gear VR if you can get it.
You won't be disappointed.
I have last year's version of the Gear VR and pre-ordered a Galaxy S8. In the UK the new VR is not being offered this time round (we get a Samsung wireless speaker) so I am hoping the 2016 VR will work with the S8. I have searched the web but all I find is reference to the new version being released this year.
Hoping someone might be able to confirm this.
.
apprentice said:
I have last year's version of the Gear VR and pre-ordered a Galaxy S8. In the UK the new VR is not being offered this time round (we get a Samsung wireless speaker) so I am hoping the 2016 VR will work with the S8. I have searched the web but all I find is reference to the new version being released this year.
Hoping someone might be able to confirm this.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it will work. The S8 has Type C USB port.
red6hu said:
I don't think it will work. The S8 has Type C USB port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah but the VR comes with an interchangeable plug. I used it with My Note 7. I guess it's the size of the S8 and/or the software that's probably not going to work. I don't know.
.
apprentice said:
Ah but the VR comes with an interchangeable plug. I used it with My Note 7. I guess it's the size of the S8 and/or the software that's probably not going to work. I don't know.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know that.
The size of the S8 is smaller than the size of the Note7, so it won't be a problem.
According the below link Gear VR 2016 is compatible with the S8.
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/03/deal-save-50-samsung-gear-vr-2016-31417.html
red6hu said:
Good to know that.
The size of the S8 is smaller than the size of the Note7, so it won't be a problem.
According the below link Gear VR 2016 is compatible with the S8.
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/03/deal-save-50-samsung-gear-vr-2016-31417.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are a star! Thanks for the info
.
I've just called Samsung and they said that both S8 and S8+ will fit into the 2016 Gear VR.
I chatted with 2 different Samsung employers and one of them said it will work and the other one said it won't. Hopefully i will receive the S8 tomorrow and then i can try it myself... Any of you that have tried it?
I have the s8+ and it is too tall to fit into the gear vr even with the adjustments. Also I used micro usb to USB type C connector and it doesn't even boot up oculus. Don't think it's backwards compatible but I don't have a regular s8, so maybe it will work for that. I personally can't even get the software for gear vr to load from the headsets USB.
This does work as I have S8+ and 2016 Gear VR
SephAbdullah said:
I have the s8+ and it is too tall to fit into the gear vr even with the adjustments. Also I used micro usb to USB type C connector and it doesn't even boot up oculus. Don't think it's backwards compatible but I don't have a regular s8, so maybe it will work for that. I personally can't even get the software for gear vr to load from the headsets USB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using the right adaptor that came with the VR? It's a small cube that replaces the entire existing plug, by sliding a small catch. Don't use a standard micro usb to usb C adaptor, that won't work and is probably the reason your phone doesn't fit in the frame.
I can confirm that my S8 does work in the 2016 VR and have been playing a couple of games successfully ... however I have experienced a complete system lock up twice now causing the phone to reboot. One occasion was just browsing my library so it wasn't down to processor load.
I believe it's more likely to be a software issue rather than the headset, so hopefully that can be fixed as I cannot justify purchasing a new VR every 12 months.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
S8+ and Gear VR sm-r323
Hi, I did a bit of research into the gear vr and decided to buy the gear vr 2016 aka sm-r323 2nd generation after reading it works with s8+ so I ordered the VR from amazon @ 45quid. When I received it the models compatible were s7, s7 edge, note 5, s6, s6 edge etc... on the box.
My phone arrived on Thursday and first thing after setting up my phone was seeing if it worked with the vr 2 aka sm-r323
And all was good it downloaded all software and ran updates and the gear vr store etc.. all looked up to date.
Downloaded a few games and roller coaster demos and the Star Wars clips all ran fine no crashes.
I'm just waiting on my motion controller to arrive now 2-3 weeks from mobile fun @ 50quid.
How ever the only thing I would say is it is a tight fit. When the phone is in with the USB c clip and in the "a" position if looking at the back of the phone it is about 1-2mm higher on the right side the end which self adjusts to size of phone.
This didn't have an effect on quality or let light in etc... I didn't notice or have any issues with it.
NickOonline said:
Hi, I did a bit of research into the gear vr and decided to buy the gear vr 2016 aka sm-r323 2nd generation after reading it works with s8+ so I ordered the VR from amazon @ 45quid. When I received it the models compatible were s7, s7 edge, note 5, s6, s6 edge etc... on the box.
My phone arrived on Thursday and first thing after setting up my phone was seeing if it worked with the vr 2 aka sm-r323
And all was good it downloaded all software and ran updates and the gear vr store etc.. all looked up to date.
Downloaded a few games and roller coaster demos and the Star Wars clips all ran fine no crashes.
I'm just waiting on my motion controller to arrive now 2-3 weeks from mobile fun @ 50quid.
How ever the only thing I would say is it is a tight fit. When the phone is in with the USB c clip and in the "a" position if looking at the back of the phone it is about 1-2mm higher on the right side the end which self adjusts to size of phone.
This didn't have an effect on quality or let light in etc... I didn't notice or have any issues with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really helpful. Thanks! I was in two minds about selling my 2016 VR but based on what you said I'll keep it for the S8+
.
Sent from my MHA-L09 using Tapatalk
apprentice said:
Are you using the right adaptor that came with the VR? It's a small cube that replaces the entire existing plug, by sliding a small catch. Don't use a standard micro usb to usb C adaptor, that won't work and is probably the reason your phone doesn't fit in the frame.
I can confirm that my S8 does work in the 2016 VR and have been playing a couple of games successfully ... however I have experienced a complete system lock up twice now causing the phone to reboot. One occasion was just browsing my library so it wasn't down to processor load.
I believe it's more likely to be a software issue rather than the headset, so hopefully that can be fixed as I cannot justify purchasing a new VR every 12 months.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems there is a widely reported issue with the S8 freezing and rebooting generally that has nothing to do with the VR. So I am confident the 2016 VR will work fine eventually.
.
Sent from my MHA-L09 using Tapatalk
Amazon offer this year's Gear VR & controller in UK although it is rather expensive compared to the 2016 version & it frequently goes out of stock Samsung Gear VR Controller with Headphones Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XYDDQ5F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TmibzbG02CAD6
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
To all potential buyers of the older generation Gear VR: Don't get misled into those reviews saying that the previous gen USB-C Gear VR (from Note 7's generation) works with the S8+. It technically does work but there are some compromises.
I currently have both, and you can very clearly tell the difference between them. I mean very clearly.
The older Gear VR's alignment is slightly off to the left if used with S8+ (the center line is not exactly in the center). But it's OK with the S8 non-plus and Note 7 if you're wondering.
The newer model has clearly less chromatic aberration and much better sharpness off-center sharpness (I'm not talking about the extreme edges, but the sides of the view screen that you very frequently look at). It's either a lens issue with the older one or because of the above problem.
It can theoretically be fixed in software but I'm not sure if they will ever do it.
Syraxius said:
The older Gear VR's alignment is slightly off to the left if used with S8+ (the center line is not exactly in the center). But it's OK with the S8 non-plus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The alignment issue affects the standard S8 as well. Some people don't notice because they can't or don't maximize the FOV, but if you do you will definitely see part of the image intended for one eye with the other.
For the record the compatibility issue isn't with the main Gear VR unit itself but with the Type-C connector specifically. You can make the 2016 model properly compatible with S8 devices simply by acquiring and using a Type-C connector from a 2017 model (they are cross-compatible).
Colonel_Izzi said:
The alignment issue affects the standard S8 as well. Some people don't notice because they can't or don't maximize the FOV, but if you do you will definitely see part of the image intended for one eye with the other.
For the record the compatibility issue isn't with the main Gear VR unit itself but with the Type-C connector specifically. You can make the 2016 model properly compatible with S8 devices simply by acquiring and using a Type-C connector from a 2017 model (they are cross-compatible).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see how the USB Type-C connector from the latest version of the GearVR is all that different from the connector from last years model. I think the problem maybe due to the screen aspect ratio of the SGS8 series as it has a 18.5:9 rather than a 16:9, which is what is most commonly found on past android flagships.
DarkGuyver said:
I don't see how the USB Type-C connector from the latest version of the GearVR is all that different from the connector from last years model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See: https://www.reddit.com/r/GearVR/wik...5.2C_2016_and_2017_consumer_gear_vr_models.3F
cainn24 said:
See: https://www.reddit.com/r/GearVR/wik...5.2C_2016_and_2017_consumer_gear_vr_models.3F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly wouldn't have notice the size difference if somebody hadn't point it out to me.
Colonel_Izzi said:
The alignment issue affects the standard S8 as well. Some people don't notice because they can't or don't maximize the FOV, but if you do you will definitely see part of the image intended for one eye with the other.
For the record the compatibility issue isn't with the main Gear VR unit itself but with the Type-C connector specifically. You can make the 2016 model properly compatible with S8 devices simply by acquiring and using a Type-C connector from a 2017 model (they are cross-compatible).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, so better get a good BoboVR Z4 and activate Gear VR developer mode to get most of both worlds
The 2017 connector is not easy to find
Hi, I have a note 4 with its Gear VR Developer edition.
I know that considering its shape, when you watch a movie you can get this resolution
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mobile-vr/gear-vr/resolution-gear-vr-illustrated-t3090214
What about the new VR built for Note 8?
Can real 720p be reached for a movie?
(perhaps I'll buy this phone but the "no 4k thing" is stopping me)
Thanks
I own every gear vr Samsung has released and this one with the note 8 is by far the best one yet.
Sure, the screen door effect is still an issue that 4k may or may not address but do you really want to miss out on all the new software development as vr grows and becomes more mainstream? Not me!
I just installed Samsung's PhoneCast vr app and OMG!!! I love being on the cutting edge!
PhoneCast = kodi in vr! Or any phone app for that matter.
I have watched many movies and TV shows with the gear vr and I am enjoying every minute of the experience.
Hi, thanks for answering : )
You know... my Note 4 is still working ok and that 4k missing is making me doubt a little
Perhaps a real 720p might convince me for good
BTW glad to read it's the best one so far:good:
I thought that once you inserted your Gear VR compatible device into the GearVR. It automatically switches the resolution to QuadHD?