The Samsung Gear VR headset is a collaboration between Samsung and Oculus, and is one of the best mobile VR headsets out there. However, the release of the device has seen several variations over time, each compatible with a different set of Samsung phones. This article serves as a reference resource for those wondering which Samsung phones work with Gear VR and how to tell the different headset models apart.

As of the date of writing, six versions of Samsung’s Gear VR headset have been released. The first two were dubbed ‘Innovator Edition’, which was something along the lines of a beta product. Since then, proper consumer models have been launched, all largely identical (except for a slightly increased field of view as of model SM-R323) but with greater phone compatibility over time.

Samsung Gear VR Compatibility & Release Date List (Updated: 11/22/17)

Gear VR (SM-R325) AKA 'CV1.4 with Controller' – September, 2017

Compatible Phones:

Includes Micro-USB and USB-C adapters
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (included)

Identify Gear VR (SM-R325) AKA ‘CV1.4 with Controller’

  • Body: black
  • Model number printed in tiny, dark font on the phone-side of the headset, at the bottom center of the lens openings cut-outs

Samsung Support for Gear VR (SM-R325)

Gear VR (SM-R324) AKA 'CV1.3 with Controller' – April, 2017

Compatible Phones:

Includes Micro-USB and USB-C adapters
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (included)

Identify Gear VR (SM-R324) AKA ‘CV1.3 with Controller’

  • Body: black
  • Model number printed in tiny, dark font on the phone-side of the headset, at the bottom center of the lens openings cut-outs

Samsung Support for Gear VR (SM-R324)

Gear VR (SM-R323) AKA 'CV1.1' – August, 2016

Compatible Phones:

Includes Micro-USB and USB-C adapters
Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (not included)

Identify Gear VR (SM-R323) AKA ‘CV1.1’

  • Body: black
  • Model number printed in tiny, dark font on the phone-side of the headset, at the bottom center of the lens openings cut-outs

Samsung Support for Gear VR (SM-R323)

Gear VR (SM-R322) AKA ‘CV1’ – November, 2015

Compatible Phones:

Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (not included)

According to Oculus, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 require a software update from your carrier to function with Gear VR. All phones listed here must be running Android Lollipop 5.0.1 and newer to function with the headset.

Identify Gear VR (SM-R322) AKA ‘CV1’

Samsung-Gear-VR-AKA-'Consumer-Version'-(SM-R322NZWAXAR)-trackpad

  • Body: white
  • Trackpack has deep horizontal and vertical grooves with raised circular area in the center, back button (above trackpad) has a tactile arrow icon
  • Model number printed on label on bottom of headset

Samsung Support for Gear VR (SM-R320)

Gear VR (SM-R321) Innovator Edition – May, 2015

Compatible Phones:

Gear VR Controller Support: Yes (not included)

Identify Gear VR (SM-R321) Innovator Edition

Samsung-Gear-VR-Innovator-Edition-(SM-R321NZWAXAR)-trackpadTrackpad area has a single vertical tactile line in the very center but is otherwise completely flat. Back button (above the trackpad) has two tactile dimples to the left and right of the arrow icon.

  • Body: white
  • Trackpad has single vertical nib in center, back button (above the trackpad) has two nibs to the left and right of arrow icon.
  • Model number printed on label on bottom of headset

Samsung Support for Gear VR (SM-R321)

Gear VR (SM-R320) Innovator Edition – December, 2014

Compatible Phones:

  • Galaxy Note 4 [Amazon]:
    • SM-N910A [AT&T]
    • SM-N910T [T-Mobile]
    • SM-N910V [Verizon]
    • SM-N910P [Sprint]
    • SM-N910R4 [US Cellular] *
    • SM-N910W8 [North America]
    • SM-N910F [Europe]
    • SM-N910C [Europe]
    • SM-N910S [Korea]
    • SM-N910K [Korea]
    • SM-N910L [Korea]

Gear VR Controller Support: Unknown (not included)

* may require Samsung Kies update. If the process below doesn’t work, please follow the instructions on http://www.uscellular.com/android/software.html to download and install the update.

Compatible Galaxy Note 4 phones may need an update to work correctly with the headset. Oculus provides the following instructions:

To obtain the update, make sure that your active sim card is installed in your phone, dock the phone in the Gear VR headset, and follow the instructions. You will receive a notification that an update is required for your phone to work with the headset. After the download and install of the update, your phone will be able to download the Oculus software required to obtain VR content.

If your compatible phone with active cellular data service does not automatically receive the update, you can manually check for the update by performing the following actions:

  • Tap the “Apps” icon on your Note 4
  • Tap “Settings”
  • In the Settings section, scroll down to the “About device” option and tap it
  • Tap “Software updates”
  • Tap “Check for updates”
  • Tap “OK”

The Note 4 should obtain the software update. If after all of the steps above, you are still unable to obtain the update, please contact your cellular provider for additional troubleshooting steps.

While the bulk of Gear VR titles currently support the Note 4, some developers seem to be phasing out support for the phone, likely due to performance considerations.

Some Note 4 devices have been sold with custom firmware which may not function correctly with Gear VR. Oculus has instructions to check to see if your phone is using custom firmware. Unfortunately if you have a Note 4 running custom firmware, Oculus will not offer troubleshooting support.

Identify Gear VR (SM-R320) Innovator Edition

Samsung-Gear-VR-Innovator-Edition-(SM-R320NPWSXAR)-trackpad

  • Body: white
  • Trackpad is completely flat, back button (above the trackpad) has a single nib above arrow icon.
  • Model number printed on label on bottom of headset

Samsung Support for Gear VR (SM-R320)

Newsletter graphic

This article may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product we may receive a small commission which helps support the publication. More information.


Ben Lang
Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • vanti

    Does anyone know how much Samsung nonsense are on their newer phones? I’ve always gone with Google’s Nexus phones because I like the stock Android experience and absolutely hate what Samsung has traditionally done with the OS.

    • Darshan Gayake

      Even if you are absolutely true, Sadly its just that there is no ‘Gear VR’ for Nexuses till date (OC powered Cardboard Advance, Any one??)….

    • bestshingles

      Also because Nexus are made for cheap losers that can’t afford a good phone.

      • Armando Tavares

        In what way is a person that can’t afford a ‘good phone’, a «cheap loser»?

        Don’t answer. I don’t want an answer. I just want you to think about it for a bit.

        Cheers.

    • eenymeeny

      Hi Vanti, I have a Samsung S6 and the Touchwiz experience is not too bad. If you really want to block stuff then I’d recommend Package Disabler Pro, which can disable any app, freeing your phone from any Touchwiz bloat you can’t normally uninstall. Other than that, the S6 is a truly great, great phone and the Gear VR experience is amazing…

  • Nathaniel Bobo

    Do NOT buy a samsung gear vr it is a rip off of the google cardboard and you can also stream your desktop to your phone in vr mode… Most FMD’s are roughly $20 – $30 on amazon. Do not be fooled by these marketing scams and save your money!!!

    • Nathaniel Bobo

      Samsung just wants to over price plastic FMD’s for your phone it is ‘t recommended to get one…

      • Eric van den Hurck

        Uhh, dude. You do know they put in electronics, right? I own a fuckton of the shit you recommend, but they don’t compare. The VR adds extra gyroscopes, touch controls, heck, you can even charge your phone whilst its in there. Try one, without bias, you’ll like it.

        • cpaulg

          No use providing Bobo with facts. There’s not much upstairs. I think he misspelled his last name. There should be a “z” in there.

    • dk

      what if u get it for free :P
      also fmd?? ….u mean like what the urban dictionary says about that abriviation

    • MasterElwood

      Lying dick! Don’t know if are an idiot or just Samsung hater – but what you say is totally wrong!!!

      • WyrdestGeek

        You seem a little harsh, but you are right — the Samsung Gear VR is *not* “a rip off of the google cardboard”. That’s a ridiculous claim.

        Also, I seriously doubt a $20 – $30 “FMD” is going to be useful for much.

  • Ess_Vee

    I tried Cardboard and have used a generic VR headset/phone holder from ebay. The experience was poor to say the least.

    I have the SM-R322 now and I can honestly say I was blown away. The headset itself is well made and actually has useful controls. The content from Occulus completely owns the Cardboard apps.

    The retail price on the Gear VR is a bit high, but I got an ex-demo unit for €50 which is what I think these should be retailing for.

    • dk

      did u use cardboard setup and gear vr with the same phone ….and the same app
      ……..gear vr has an additional imu in the headset …..not sure if the new ones have it …..and they r constantly upgrading the software if u listen to Carmack(although it’s sometimes slow)

  • apan

    does it work on Samsung galaxy a8?

  • Samuel Robinson

    What is the earliest model that works with Samsung Galaxy S9?

    • Omega

      I believe Gear VR (SM-R325) is the only one that will work with the S9

  • Rateb

    What is the earliest version that works with the galaxy A50 ?