Samsung Gear VR Headset Coming This September

Samsung already has its fingers in nearly every tech market, and now the electronics giant is reportedly getting in on virtual reality headset craze. Dubbed the Samsung Gear VR and possibly set to debut at IFA 2014 this September, the headset will offer mobile gamers the kind of immersive gaming experience offered by dedicated HUDs such as the Oculus Rift.

According to Sammobile, the Gear VR will be powered by a user's high-end smartphone such as Samsung's own Galaxy S5 or the rumored Galaxy Note 4. The headset will likely use an internal AMOLED screen to display content and will rely on your smartphone's accelerometer and gyroscope to track your movements. The Gear VR may also require a wired connection to your smartphone in order to ensure there is no lag between the headset and your device, which could ruin the VR experience

MORE: Virtual Reality War: Project Morpheus vs. Oculus Rift

In terms of functionality, the Gear VR is being compared to Google's Cardboard VR headset. Power by an Android smartphone and a set of goggles built into a piece of foldable cardboard, the headgear offered a relatively immersive user experience through apps such as Google Earth and Windy Day. Of course, Samsung's Gear VR probably will be more upmarket than a piece of cardboard.

Exactly what apps will be optimized for the Gear VR isn't yet clear, though Sammobile claims that Samsung will set aside a dedicated section of its apps store for the headset, as it did for its Gear watches.

The Gear VR is not to be confused with Samsung's rumored Google Glass competitor the Galaxy Glass. That device, which is also expected to see a September release, is said to offer advanced features such as an augmented reality keyboard.

We'll be on the ground in Germany for IFA 2014 in September, and keeping an eye on the rumor mill in the meantime, so stay tuned for more information on both the Gear VR and Galaxy Glass.

Via Sammobile