The Samsung Gear VR headset is a collaboration between Samsung and Oculus, and is one of the best mobile VR headsets out there. However, the release of the device has seen several variations over time, each compatible with a different set of Samsung phones. This article serves as a reference resource for those wondering which Samsung phones work with Gear VR and how to tell the different headset models apart.
As of the date of writing, six versions of Samsung’s Gear VR headset have been released. The first two were dubbed ‘Innovator Edition’, which was something along the lines of a beta product. Since then, proper consumer models have been launched, all largely identical (except for a slightly increased field of view as of model SM-R323) but with greater phone compatibility over time.
Samsung Gear VR Compatibility & Release Date List (Updated: 11/22/17)
Compatible Phones:
- Galaxy S6
- Galaxy S6 Edge
- Galaxy S6 Edge+
- Galaxy S7
- Galaxy S7 Edge
- Galaxy S8 (with included USB-C adapter)
- Galaxy S8+ (with included USB-C adapter)
- Galaxy Note 8 (with included USB-C adapter)
Includes Micro-USB and USB-C adapters
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (included)
Identify Gear VR (SM-R325) AKA ‘CV1.4 with Controller’
- Body: black
- Model number printed in tiny, dark font on the phone-side of the headset, at the bottom center of the lens openings cut-outs
Compatible Phones:
- Galaxy Note 5
- Galaxy S6
- Galaxy S6 Edge
- Galaxy S6 Edge+
- Galaxy S7
- Galaxy S7 Edge
- Galaxy S8 (with included USB-C adapter)
- Galaxy S8+ (with included USB-C adapter)
Includes Micro-USB and USB-C adapters
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (included)
Identify Gear VR (SM-R324) AKA ‘CV1.3 with Controller’
- Body: black
- Model number printed in tiny, dark font on the phone-side of the headset, at the bottom center of the lens openings cut-outs
Compatible Phones:
- Galaxy Note 5
- Galaxy S6
- Galaxy S6 Edge
- Galaxy S6 Edge+
- Galaxy S7
- Galaxy S7 Edge
- Galaxy Note 7 (with included USB-C adapter) [recalled]
Includes Micro-USB and USB-C adapters
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (not included)
Identify Gear VR (SM-R323) AKA ‘CV1.1’
- Body: black
- Model number printed in tiny, dark font on the phone-side of the headset, at the bottom center of the lens openings cut-outs
Compatible Phones:
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (not included)
According to Oculus, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 require a software update from your carrier to function with Gear VR. All phones listed here must be running Android Lollipop 5.0.1 and newer to function with the headset.
Identify Gear VR (SM-R322) AKA ‘CV1’
- Body: white
- Trackpack has deep horizontal and vertical grooves with raised circular area in the center, back button (above trackpad) has a tactile arrow icon
- Model number printed on label on bottom of headset
Compatible Phones:
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (not included)
Identify Gear VR (SM-R321) Innovator Edition
Trackpad area has a single vertical tactile line in the very center but is otherwise completely flat. Back button (above the trackpad) has two tactile dimples to the left and right of the arrow icon.
- Body: white
- Trackpad has single vertical nib in center, back button (above the trackpad) has two nibs to the left and right of arrow icon.
- Model number printed on label on bottom of headset
Compatible Phones:
- Galaxy Note 4:
- SM-N910A [AT&T]
- SM-N910T [T-Mobile]
- SM-N910V [Verizon]
- SM-N910P [Sprint]
- SM-N910R4 [US Cellular] *
- SM-N910W8 [North America]
- SM-N910F [Europe]
- SM-N910C [Europe]
- SM-N910S [Korea]
- SM-N910K [Korea]
- SM-N910L [Korea]
Gear VR Controller Support: Unknown (not included)
* may require Samsung Kies update. If the process below doesn’t work, please follow the instructions on http://www.uscellular.com/android/software.html to download and install the update.
Compatible Galaxy Note 4 phones may need an update to work correctly with the headset. Oculus provides the following instructions:
To obtain the update, make sure that your active sim card is installed in your phone, dock the phone in the Gear VR headset, and follow the instructions. You will receive a notification that an update is required for your phone to work with the headset. After the download and install of the update, your phone will be able to download the Oculus software required to obtain VR content.
If your compatible phone with active cellular data service does not automatically receive the update, you can manually check for the update by performing the following actions:
- Tap the “Apps” icon on your Note 4
- Tap “Settings”
- In the Settings section, scroll down to the “About device” option and tap it
- Tap “Software updates”
- Tap “Check for updates”
- Tap “OK”
The Note 4 should obtain the software update. If after all of the steps above, you are still unable to obtain the update, please contact your cellular provider for additional troubleshooting steps.
While the bulk of Gear VR titles currently support the Note 4, some developers seem to be phasing out support for the phone, likely due to performance considerations.
Some Note 4 devices have been sold with custom firmware which may not function correctly with Gear VR. Oculus has instructions to check to see if your phone is using custom firmware. Unfortunately if you have a Note 4 running custom firmware, Oculus will not offer troubleshooting support.
Identify Gear VR (SM-R320) Innovator Edition
- Body: white
- Trackpad is completely flat, back button (above the trackpad) has a single nib above arrow icon.
- Model number printed on label on bottom of headset
The post Everything You Need to Know About Samsung Gear VR Phone Compatibility appeared first on Road to VR.
