As we reported a few days ago, it’s expected that the consumer version of Samsung’s Oculus and mobile phone powered virtual reality headset, the Gear VR, will go up for pre-order today. It seems things are moving in that direction as the product page for Gear VR on the main Samsung website is now up and running, and Best Buy has just opened its pre-order page for those wishing to grab a unit.

The shiny new product page for Gear VR joins its fellow Samsung mobile brethren amongst the Galaxy family of products and means that Samsung’s bold push into virtual reality, powered my mobile technology, has entered the consumer phase.

Reports from a recent Best Buy demo day suggested that pre-orders for the new consumer edition, which replaces the Innovator ‘beta’ Editions currently on the market, would go live today. This tallied nicely with Samsung’s assertion that the new, $99 add-on for 2015’s Galaxy smartphones would be available before the retail holiday Black Friday (currently slated for 27th November). That pre-order page is now live here.

samsung gear vr consumer version (5)

The new edition is 22% lighter at 310 grams and includes a newly designed touchpad. It will also be compatible with Samsung’s entire galaxy series from 2015.

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Paul James
Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • dashmaul

    Any idea when preorders start in Europe?

  • VRMatthew

    I feel like this consumer option will be very good for VR despite if not being as sophisticated as the PC based counterparts. I am looking forward to seeing where it goes.