Samsung Gear VR consumer headset to launch in US on 20 November

Samsung has announced that the consumer version of its virtual reality headset, the Gear VR, will launch in the United States on 20 November. The device will launch for $99 (£65) and pre-orders are now being taken.

As a screen the Gear houses Samsung's latest smart devices: the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge Plus, which is why it's significantly cheaper than other VR headsets will be.

There is no news regarding a UK or wider release as of yet, but IBTimes UK has made contact with Samsung's UK PR office to ask. At their keynote at Oculus Connect 2, Samsung's vice president of mobile Peter Koo said that the wider release of the Gear VR would take place shortly after the US release.

The consumer version of the Gear VR has an improved touchpad and is 22% lighter than the developer model previously available. "We see virtual reality as the next computing platform, and we are thrilled to partner with Oculus on Gear VR to set the standard for mobile VR and bring this revolutionary product to consumers," said CEO and president of IT & Mobile Division for Samsung JK Shin.

The Gear VR is one of the big four virtual reality headsets to be released over the next 12 months. The Oculus Rift and HTC Vive will be released for PC owners, while Sony's PlayStation VR will be sold to PS4 users. Gear VR is well-positioned to make an impact on the mobile market.

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