With its Daydream View VR-kit Google has put out a serious competitor in the race against Samsung’s Galaxy VR. In this article, we will pit the Google’s new Daydream VR against the current version of the Samsung Gear VR. Who come out in the pole position?
Comfort and Handling
Right away, the Google Daydream View feels much more comfortable and lighter on your head than the Samsung Gear VR. The fabric used on Googles headset also gives it a higher quality feel compared to the Samsung. Mounting your smartphone is also an easier process with the Daydream because you only need to loosen a bit of rubber and slide your phone in. With the Gear VR however, you’ll always need to plug it into the USB connector on the phone and push it in till it clips in firmly.
The Gear VR has been outfitted with a proximity sensor that lets the headset know when it’s being worn and turns of the screen when it’s not. This function is absent from the Google Daydream, as is the ability to adjust the optics to your vision.
Both headsets can be used with external storage devices and headphones since the Daydream leaves the ports accessible, whereas the Gear VR relays them on the outside of the device.
| Daydream View | Samsung Gear VR |
| +Comfort +Handling |
+Proximity Sensor +Adjustable to match your vision |
Viewing experience
The viewing experiences on both headsets is pretty similar. The field of view seems a tad more narrow on the Daydream but it has a bigger problem: It sometimes lets light in right above your cheekbones which can cause reflections on the lens that can negatively affect your VR experience.
The Daydream however, is not plagued by lenses getting fogged up. This has been a common complaint among Gear VR users since the headset is very well sealed and does not allow for any air circulation between your eyes and the lenses or the compartment that your phone sits in. This of course helps to combat light leaks but the foggy lenses can also become quite annoying.
|
Daydream View |
Samsung Gear VR |
| +Lenses don’t fog up |
+Less light leaks |
Controller
Google’s Daydream View comes with a controller that has been fitted with an accelerometer. It is great for navigating through menus and controlling your character in game. Sometimes however, it might lose its orientation. As of now, it also doesn’t work with too many games since mobile controller-based gaming in VR still a rather new occurrence.
The Samsung Gear VR has been outfitted with a touchpad on the side which can be used to navigate through menus or control the game. Having to frequently tap on your headset however isn’t the most comfortable solution and we prefer Google’s solution to this. Most Gear VR games also rely on a standard Bluetooth controller since they can’t be sufficiently controlled using nothing but a touchpad and two buttons. We do expect however, that there will be games for the Daydream which will require a standard controller in the future.
|
Daydream View |
Samsung Gear VR |
|
+Motion Sensor |
+Touchpad |
Software
Currently, there is a lot of software available through the Oculus Store that works with Samsung’s Gear VR. It must be said that the Gear has been on the market for quite some time which of course explains this circumstance.
Google could soon follow suit however, as they want to license the Daydream concept to other manufacturers as well which would greatly accelerate the adoption of the system and could very well turn them into the market leader. As of right now, this is purely speculation and the Gear VR is still leading the pack when it comes to the software available.
|
Daydream View |
Samsung Gear VR |
|
+Great potential |
+Currently a much larger software catalogue |
Compatibility
The limited compatibility of the Daydream View almost certainly stems from simply how new it is right now. Currently, it only works with the Pixel and Pixel XL phones which start at 760$. The current Gear VR however, works with the S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and the new S7 series (Galaxy S7, S7 edge). While Google will most likely expand the Daydream’s compatibility, the gear takes the cake at this point in time. The latter also has a much lower barrier of entry with its price starting at around 400$.
|
Daydream View |
Samsung Gear VR |
|
+Pixel and Pixel XL |
+S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, S7, S7 edge |
Conclusion
Google’s Daydream View is a worthy competitor to the Samsung Gear VR because it delivers an impressive VR experience and, especially with Google’s plans to turn it into a franchise, has a great deal of potential.
Currently, the Gear VR has the edge on Google’s headset with its lower price tag and the bigger software catalogue. While the motion sensor is a big plus for the Daydream View, it is not enough to overtake the Gear VR.
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