The Gear VR 2 headset will sport a controller and a new front cover designed to hold the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus, according to an industry insider Roland Quandt. Samsung’s next virtual reality headset will allegedly bear the model number SM-R324, Quandt said. For reference, the first consumer-grade iteration of the Gear VR headset sported the model number SM-R323. The controller that’s allegedly shipping with the Gear VR 2 or however the headset will be called will allegedly be designed for single-handed use. Finally, the source said that the Gear VR 2 will look similar to its predecessor.
This leak is seemingly connected to the existence of a Samsung-branded Gear VR controller that surfaced online back in mid-2016. However, the renders depicting that controller didn’t suggest that the device was designed for single-handed use, at least not primarily. If Quandt is correct, Samsung may opt to bundle the next iteration of the Gear VR headset with a remote controller that’s similar to the one included with Google’s Daydream View headset. Regardless, it’s becoming more and more likely that the Gear VR 2 will ship with some sort of a controller. People who bought the original Samsung-made headset also had to buy a separate Bluetooth controller in order to play most VR games and easily navigate through various VR experiences. If the South Korean tech giant truly decides to bundle the Gear VR 2 with a controller, the company may opt for a price increase. However, seeing how the Daydream VR — Gear VR’s main competitor — is already cheaper than Samsung’s headset and ships with a remote controller, Samsung may decide to stick with the $99.99 price tag or even reduce it.
In any case, more information should be available shortly seeing how Mobile World Congress (MWC) is just around the corner. While the Seoul-based tech giant already confirmed it won’t be unveiling the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus at this year’s MWC, that doesn’t necessarily mean the company won’t debut the Gear VR 2 at the Barcelona-based trade show. Even if that doesn’t happen, Samsung will likely debut its latest VR headset along with its next pair of Android flagships in late March.