Price: £150
Rating: 0

Samsung has teamed up with Facebook-owned virtual reality experts Oculus to create its own version of the Oculus Rift, the Samsung Gear VR, which brings VR to consumers by using the new Galaxy Note 4. We spent some time with it during IFA 2014 in Berlin, so here's our Gear VR hands-on (and eyes-on) review.

Samsung Gear VR hands-on review: Price & availability

Samsung certainly seems to be trying to make virtual reality accessible to consumers rather than just developers, by pricing the Gear VR at a reasonable £150. The catch is that you'll need to own a Galaxy Note 4 smartphone in order to use it, which we expect will cost you an additional £550 - £600, though Samsung has yet to confirm the pricing for the new device.

The Gear VR will be available to buy this year, but Samsung hasn't revealed a specific release date for the headset so far.

See also: Samsung Galaxy Note Edge hands-on review

Samsung Gear VR hands-on review: Hardware & design

First things first, it's important to note that to use the Gear VR you'll also need a Samsung Galaxy Note 4. The Gear VR only works with the Galaxy Note 4 right now, but that means you'll get the stunning 5.7in Quad HD Super AMOLED screen to help provide that fully immersive experience needed to make virtual reality truly effective. See: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 hands-on review

The Galaxy Note 4 slots into the Gear VR, connecting via microUSB on one side and slipping beneath a secure clip on the other. Then, black, semi-translucent cover is snapped onto the front of the device ready for use.

The Gear VR slips over your head, with large, goggle-like cushions around the eyes, a large, cushioned strap that rests on top of your head and connects to the main strap that wraps around your head. It felt secure and once positioned you're completely immersed in whatever's going on on the screen in front of you, and it feels pretty awesome.

It's wireless, too, so you won't need to be tethered to anything or worry about tangling yourself in wires if you get a bit carried away looking around you.

It is rather heavy though. I spent little more than 10 minutes using it, but already felt the strain on my neck. I can't imagine spending a long time playing a game or watching a movie, that's for sure.

The Gear VR is only available in Frost White.

Despite the fact that there's an accelerometer and gyroscope built in to the Galaxy Note 4, the Gear VR uses its own sensors for tracking your movement, because it needs to be exceptionally responsive in order to trick you into being truly immersed in what you're doing. We didn't experience any lag what so ever when using the Gear VR.

If you want sound, though, you'll need to plug your headphones into the Note 4 itself. The Gear VR is designed to leave access to the phablet's audio jack.

There's a catch for anyone that wears glasses with the Gear VR: you'll need to take them off. There is a focus dial on the top of the headset to help you adjust the clarity of the screen, but if you have different vision in each eye you'll find it tricky to get it perfect.

See also: Samsung Gear S hands-on review

Samsung Gear VR hands-on review: The experience

We tried The Blu by Wemo Lab with the Gear VR, a virtual reality simulation that takes you deep into the ocean where you'll find sharks, whales and other sea creatures everywhere you look. It's a 360, 3D degree experience that really shows off the potential of virtual reality for educational purposes.

Before getting my go with the Gear VR, I watched others spinning around on their chairs to see everything around them, and one woman actually reached out her hands to try touching something she could see in front of her, highlighting how effective the Gear VR can be.

Tapping the touchpad on the side of the headset itself paused and resumed the experience, and there's a small back button above the touchpad that will let you return to the home screen.

There are many more apps available that'll work with the Gear VR, and that library will only grow with the device's popularity. These apps include games, IMAX movies, 3D simulations and more.

Buying Advice

Samsung's definitely proving to be an innovator with its announcements at IFA 2014, with the Gear VR and the new Galaxy Note Edge smartphone. We think the Gear VR has the potential to be a big hit in the education and gaming markets, and the low price means virtual reality is more accessible than ever. We can't wait to spend more time with the Gear VR when we get it back to our labs.