Samsung just announced a crazily cheap new virtual reality headset - but there's a catch

Samsung
The Gear VR headset.
There's just one catch: You need a Samsung smartphone to use it.
The reason the Gear VR is so cheap is because it doesn't come with its own screen. Instead, the user slots in their smartphone and views the virtual reality display (via lenses) on that. It's compatible with any of the high-end devices launched by the South Korean electronics company in 2015 - the Galaxy Note 5, the S6, the S6 edge, and the S6 edge+.
According to Samsung, the new device is 22% lighter than its previous "Gear VR Innovator" headset, which also required a smartphone to operate. It supports significantly more models of phones than the previous headset, which could either fit the S6 or the Note 4 (but not both) - and it's half the price. (Samsung claims the new device is also "more comfortable to wear.")
The headset was announced on Thursday at Oculus' Connect conference, alongside a bevy of other new virtual reality products. VR versions of Netflix, Hulu, and Twitch are all coming to the Gear VR, The Verge reports. Oculus also announced a new virtual reality version of Minecraft which will be compatible with the Gear VR, according to Oculus CTO John Carmack.
Sorry I wasn't more clear, Minecraft is definitely coming to GearVR! Cordless swivel chair play FTW!
- John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) September 25, 2015

Samsung
Of course, there are cheaper virtual reality options already out there. Google Cardboard is a virtual reality headset users can make themselves for pennies using their smartphones. But the two aren't really comparable: Google Cardboard is quite literally made out of cardboard.
NOW WATCH: We built a knockoff of Oculus Rift for $25
The worst for Indian startups is yet to come — be prepared for layoffs, unicorn slowdown and startup shutdowns in 2022
Kellyanne Conway says her husband was 'cheating by tweeting' his disdain for former President Trump in her new memoir
A SpaceX flight attendant said Elon Musk exposed himself and propositioned her for sex, documents show. The company paid $250,000 for her silence.
Xiaomi and Leica partner for a flagship device, Xiaomi 12 Ultra expected to launch in July
Zomato, HDFC, HDFC Bank, Paytm and other hot stocks to watch out for on May 23
Telangana minister wants cess scrapped and fuel prices back to 2014 levels
Not just India, many countries are protecting their wheat to keep daily bread, affordable
Chidambaram triggers state vs center revenue debate after govt's excise cut on fuel