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Hands-on: Samsung Gear VR

Samsung is the latest tech giant to jump aboard the VR train, with its Samsung Gear VR headset. We went hands-on at IFA 2014.

Samsung’s Gear VR headset is the latest bizarre retro virtual reality comeback device, following in the chunky dignity-destroying footsteps of the Oculus Rift and Google’s cardboard goggly things. We had a play at IFA 2014 and have to admit it’s good fun, although the overall cost makes us wonder how popular it’ll be.

Samsung Gear VR helmet hands on review at IFA 2014

The Gear VR is essentially a plastic frame that straps to your head, and when you slot your spangly new Note 4 in the end and pair the two wirelessly, you’ve got yourself a VR headset. There’s no screen inside the VR headset: you’re basically staring at your phone’s screen, with two separate images being fed to your eyeballs.

It’s comfortable to wear thanks to the padded straps and lightweight design, and as you’d expect, you look like an absolute sex demon when you’re bobbing your head all over the place.

Samsung Gear VR helmet hands on review at IFA 2014

We tested out a space shooter game and enjoyed the ease of control, which basically has you looking around to steer your ship and tapping the side of the Gear VR to shoot. You’ll have to make sure you’re alone in a room when you play, however, as we almost headbutted some fellow journalists when we were twisting and turning all over the place.

Samsung Gear VR helmet hands on review at IFA 2014

The main problem is the overall cost. We’re not sure of the UK price of the device itself, but you’ll need Samsung’s premium Note 4 to get it to work. That means you’ll need to fork out twice to have a go, and the Note 4 won’t exactly be cheap.

We’ll bring you a full review of the Samsung Gear VR soon.

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