Samsung Announces $99 VR Headset With Oculus Rift Technology

Samsung Announces $99 VR Headset With Oculus Rift Technology

LOS ANGELES — In perhaps the most significant move to date to bring virtual reality technology to the consumer mass market, Samsung has announced the latest version of its Gear VR device — priced at an affordable $99.

The device is half the price of its $199 predecessor, and supports Samsung’s entire 2015 smartphone line, including the Note 5, S6, S6 Edge, and S6 Edge+, which contrasts to the more limited support for smartphone models offered by the previous generation of Gear VR — making the technology much more accessible for mainstream users.

Early reports indicate that the updated Gear VR device shed around a quarter of its weight and is more comfortable to wear than the previous version of the headset.

An incremental improvement to the trackpad located on the headset adds tactile cues to what was once a smooth surface, providing directional input so the user’s finger will know where it’s pointing, while a new Gear VR Gamepad provides an Xbox-style wireless controller for precise cursor placement.

“While many are highly anticipating the flagship Oculus Rift headset release, the fact that it needs to be wired to an expensive gaming computer means it will have a much more niche audience,” Josh Constine wrote for TechCrunch. “But the Gear VR and other mobile headsets like Google Cardboard that people can carry around with them and easily share with VR n00bs are what will bring the medium to the masses.”

The updated Samsung Gear VR device is scheduled to ship in November, in time for the holiday gift-giving season.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Show More