Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Is there a new Samsung Gear VR on the horizon?

Leaked images show a reported Gear VR 2 that looks remarkably similar to the first

The Samsung Gear VR is an excellent way to enter the world of virtual reality, a strong midpoint between Google Cardboard and Oculus Rift — and there may be a new version coming soon. The Gear VR has been around for longer than you may think: Developer editions were produced long before the official consumer launch at the end of last year. So is the time right for Gear VR 2?

While Gear VR 2 may not come along for a while, we may see a revised Gear VR headset in the near future, ready for use with a currently unofficial (but highly likely) Samsung smartphone. And now, support for that theory has emerged in the form of a render published by NowhereElse and a pic posted by PhonesReview. Both show a reported Gear VR 2 headset with a black exterior and slightly redesigned facial foam.

GearVR-2016-Press
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Recommended Videos

If the images do, indeed, depict a rumored Gear VR 2, Samsung appears to have borrowed liberally from its predecessor’s design. The focus ring hasn’t moved from its position on the Gear VR, and neither has the directional pad or volume rockers. It’s remarkably similar to the current-gen Gear VR, and that’s potentially by design — Samsung could be striving for product continuity in an effort to avoid confusing would-be buyers.

A NowhereElse report went into greater specificity. The new and improved Gear VR reportedly features a 110-degree field of view, up from 96. And it’s lighter — 300 grams versus the old model’s 318 — but “taller, wider, and thicker.”

It may already be shipping, too. According to a listing on the Indian import database Zauba, a Gear VR with the model number SM-R323 has been sent from South Korea for testing. The significance of the model number comes from the current Gear VR being the SM-R322, and the previous developer and innovator editions being SM-R320 and SM-R321, respectively.

Any change in model number suggests new features and design, but at the moment we don’t know anything about what secrets the SM-R323 holds. We can sure speculate, however.

Samsung engineered the Gear VR to work with several of its top smartphones, to which it connects using a MicroUSB connector; but what if the Galaxy Note 7 uses the USB Type-C? That could end up being the defining difference between the current Gear VR and the SM-R323, ensuring Samsung can still use the Gear VR as another reason to buy an expensive smartphone. It even gave the Gear VR away as a free gift to people who pre-ordered the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, so if a new version is coming (and needed due to the Note 7’s spec), we should expect a similar promotion to run.

The Galaxy Note 7 may be announced at the beginning of August, if the rumors are correct, at which time a revised Gear VR may make an appearance as well. Nothing is official for now, but we’ll keep you informed.

Article originally published in July 2016. Updated on 07-29-2016 by Kyle Wiggers: Added render of reported Gear VR 2 headset. 

Andy Boxall and Kyle Wiggers contributed to this report. 

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Forget the Z Fold 8, new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 leak suggests it could be worth buying
A person holding the open Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has leaked again and this time it's looking like the next-gen foldable smartphone could be the one to buy.

This new rumour, coming from an X post by @The Galox_ reveals that the new Fold 7 could come with the latest Samsung Galaxy One UI 8 out of the box.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Everything we know so far
Leaked render of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 showing its front and rear profiles.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the highly anticipated successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, looks to be just a few weeks away from launch - and it could arrive with a significant design overhaul.

For what feels like an eternity, we’ve been inundated with rumors and leaks regarding this innovative smartphone, which is expected to launch officially in July. Here’s an overview of the features and enhancements we anticipate from this premium foldable device, including improvements in display technology, battery life, and overall performance.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Latest news

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 size upgrade just got teased in newest leak
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 with its cover screen on.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is all but certainly on its way and now a new leak may have revealed some key details.

The latest flip phone from Samsung could see a jump in size over the current Flip 6 model.

Read more