Samsung Gear VR 2017
A guest uses the Samsung Gear VR for the Samsung Galaxy S8 during the Samsung Unpacked event in New York City, U.S. March 29, 2017. Reuters/Brendan McDermid

Samsung Gear VR 2017 is arriving with a controller along with the Galaxy S8 handset later this month. Everything more or less remains the same, apart from the controller. However, it will be interesting to check out the specs and features of the VR headset along with Google’s Daydream View.

Google is of course offering a much cheaper package with the Daydream headset and controller at US$79 (AU$105 approx). The Samsung VR headset, along with the controller added to the new model, will be available for US$130 (AU$180 approx). The headset is basically useless without a compatible smartphone. Thus, it definitely adds up to the total cost. The Gear VR 2017 releases on April 21 along with Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. The Google Daydream View released in November 2016.

Gear VR-ready Galaxy handsets run on Android along with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, whereas Oculus takes care of Gear VR UI and storefront. Samsung headset has a lot of content lead as developers have been making content for it since 2014. On the other hand, Google’s Daydream VR does not have much content currently but will grow with time. Interestingly, the Google’s VR headset does not come with a physical port connecting the phone with the headset. On the other hand, the new Gear VR has adaptors that allow users swap between USB-C incorporated Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus handsets and other micro-USB-enabled smartphones.

Both the headsets have the option for glasses that users can wear before putting them on. Glass wearers have the option of putting on the Samsung Gear VR 2017 even without their specs as the device provides the option to adjust the focus to fit one’s vision. This feature is not present in the Google headset. However, both the headsets are wireless and come with motion controllers, a rudimentary remote included in the box that are more like Wii remotes, writes New Atlas.

The headsets do not come with iPhone compatibility and lack positional tracking. This is the biggest limitation of mobile VR. The headsets have AMOLED displays. The trackpad is still present in the Gear VR but not on Daydream. One can use a classic gamepad with the Samsung device, again something not possible with the Google device. In terms of display resolution, the Samsung Gear VR 2017 offers a 1,440 x 1280 per eye resolution. Same is the case with Google Daydream View. However, resolution mostly depends on the smartphones being put inside.

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