Gear VR (2017) with controller in the test

Samsung's revised Gear VR glasses with their improved wearing comfort and darker design have not just been available since the Galaxy S8. In fact, it is the same version that the South Koreans already launched with the explosive Galaxy Note 7 on the market. What Samsung has only been supplying with the new edition for a few months, however, is its own hand controller, and it packs a punch.

The new Gear VR is actually a little more ergonomic and also accommodates the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8+. The smartphone frame for virtual reality is also compatible with the Galaxy S6 series, in other words with all previous VR-compatible Samsung smartphones. The face cushion with Velcro fastener is very comfortable and hard to imagine life without. Despite the summer heat in the parlour, VR excursions in the mobile Oculus Store are immediately refreshing.

The viewing angle has been slightly improved (from 96 to 101 degrees). This is noticeable, but may also be due to my new Galaxy S8, although the pixel density of the two generations is basically identical. Depending on your astigmatism, mobile VR headsets are not made for the masses anyway. I know the previous Gear VR especially in combination with the S7 (Edge). The blue-black colouring actually provides even better shielding from the outside world in virtual reality.

The touch control gadget, which also reacts to movement gestures, eliminates the awkward tapping on the haptic side surface of the Gear VR. Some of the games are now also customised for the new controller. Previously, you mainly had the option of controlling games using head movements if you didn't have a Bluetooth gamepad for other VR games on the Samsung platform. But is the new controller such a big surprise?

My first thought at the time was: this had to happen. After all, Google has been leading the way for some time with its in-house reference solution for its Daydream View glasses. Because it's actually an open secret: with high-end VR glasses from the likes of HTC Vive, such an assistant with motion detection can offer real added value.

In the virtual game mode, the hand in the game "Drop Dead" quickly becomes a loud gun or a machine gun to mow down evil comic zombies on the treadmill. In the quiet game "A Night Sky", you can now draw constellations in the sky with your hand. If you browse through the Oculus Store, you will find around 40 games that have been specially customised for the new controller. Of course, many previous games can now also be easily controlled by hand, as the control options on the side touch surface of the headset are also available on the handy control stick.

Samsung's VR souvenir is very ergonomically shaped and sits comfortably in the hands. The home and back buttons from the Gear VR glasses are also available here and you can feel both buttons very well. The volume rocker in the centre is particularly practical, although it is not always so easy to feel in virtual reality. But that's not all: there is even a trigger button on the back and, of course, the obligatory touchpad on the top.

Samsung explains how to set it up via the Oculus Home app. A few figure-eight movements are performed for precise calibration. In addition, as in the Vive setup, position information is recorded by placing the small gadget on the table. It's all a matter of a few minutes. As a Samsung newcomer, you don't really need to know anything, except that you first need to insert the two triple A batteries supplied. Incidentally, the controller switches off automatically after a long period of inactivity.

The biggest functional difference to Google's "Daydream" counterpart is the index finger trigger button on the back, which gives the whole thing a bit of the flair of the Oculus Touch. This is a lot of fun in shooter games.

Important: If you already own a Gear VR, you don't necessarily need the new VR mount. You can also buy the controller separately. A micro USB to USB-C adapter is included for older Samsung smartphones, as the USB-C connection is designed for the new generation of Samsung smartphones. The Daydream update is also promised for the Galaxy S8 this summer (where is it?), but you probably won't need a second pair of glasses, as Google's VR platform is essentially an app that needs to be installed.

Optionally, you can also stow the little playmate in a loop under the side of the headset when you return to the real world.