Samsung has rolled out another iteration of its Gear VR virtual reality headset. Like the previous Gear VR, this is a Google Cardboard-like plastic shell in which you place a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone to experience VR through the Oculus-powered Gear VR app store. Its biggest upgrade is that it supports the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 thanks to a modular connector with USB-C and micro USB adapters. Otherwise, it doesn't make any major changes to the Gear VR formula. It still costs $99.99, it still offers a comfortable fit and useful interaction features like a touchpad for controlling apps, and it still stands as a good way to experience VR without investing in a PC-based, tethered headset like the much more expensive HTC Vive or Oculus Rift .Samsung has rolled out another iteration of its Gear VR virtual reality headset. Like the previous Gear VR, this is a Google Cardboard-like plastic shell in which you place a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone to experience VR through the Oculus-powered Gear VR app store. Its biggest upgrade is that it supports the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 thanks to a modular connector with USB-C and micro USB adapters. Otherwise, it doesn't make any major changes to the Gear VR formula. It still costs $99.99, it still offers a comfortable fit and useful interaction features like a touchpad for controlling apps, and it still stands as a good way to experience VR without investing in a PC-based, tethered headset like the much more expensive HTC Vive or Oculus Rift .The Gear VR's USB-C adoption is necessary for the Galaxy Note 7 and presumably Samsung's future Galaxy devices. The headset is also compatible with the Galaxy Note 5, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ , S7 , and S7 Edge, all of which use a micro USB port. Samsung has a very functional workaround, and it's more than a simple adapter: The entire docking connector on the Gear VR is modular. A locking switch lets you slide the pre-installed USB-C docking connector off of a small mount and replace it with an included micro USB connector. The connector attaches securely when the switch is locked, making it feel like it's an integrated part of the headset. It's a much better solution than an adapter that can be lost ( like the included charging port adapter, which really should be replaced by a USB-to-USB-C charging cable
