In comparison, the Daydream View will go into virtual reality mode when the phone is inserted into the headset and uses a Bluetooth enabled controller with motion sensors to navigate your way around in a VR environment. The use of the proximity sensor is similar to that used by the Oculus Rift (although it gave us problems in this review). Unlike the Google's Daydream View or Xiaomi VR Headset, the Samsung Gear VR (2016) also includes a touchpad and back button on the side, as well as a proximity sensor to detect when the Gear VR is put on your head. In contrast, Google promotes its Jump platform with professional setups like the GoPro Odyssey to create high quality YouTube VR ready content. Samsung also has its own (relatively) low cost Samsung Gear 360 camera which allows you to create VR content in no time and publish on YouTube, Facebook or Samsung VR. Google's Daydream View uses its own Daydream App to access VR content from YouTube and other VR enabled Games and Apps. Samsung has partnered with Oculus for co-branding purposes and allowing the Oculus App to be downloaded onto Samsung mobile devices so you can easily access Virtual Reality content (in addition to the Samsung VR App).

Don't expect the high resolution and smooth frame rate experience that you can get wih the Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE, but the Samsung Gear VR (2016) is a lot more affordable as well. The Samsung Gear VR (2016) is similar to Google's Daydream View where it tries bring a premium virtual reality experience compared to the Xiaomi VR Headset and Google cardboard products. Samsung also hopes to erase the bitter memories of the Samsung Galaxy Note7's epic fail and keep the sales of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge moving until it can make a comeback with the Galaxy S8. With the heavy advertising of the Samsung Gear VR (2016), Samsung continues to differentiate its products from Apple which has not embraced Virtual Reality in the same way Google and Android phone brands like Samsung have.

S7 edge oculus app