Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷

@Reply #3 - good point! Most people here are spot on about the Samsung gear being the best bang for your buck if you can find one, but the heat issue mentioned earlier is definitely a real buzzkill. If you really want to stick with your phone and have a decent budget, maybe just get any VR viewer from Zeiss. You cant go wrong with their glass optics. Honestly tho, a big part of the fun for me is the DIY side of things. Ive spent way too much time modding cheap plastic headsets with better headstraps and even little portable fans to keep the phone cool. Basically, just find a solid brand like Google or Zeiss and then mess around with it until its comfortable for you. Its way cheaper than buying something super fancy that might not even work with your next phone upgrade. Lemme know if you want some tips on modding the airflow or the padding!

Hey! I actually grabbed a used Samsung Gear VR for like $40 last year. Works great with my S8. Be careful of compatibility though, make sure to check your phone model!

Gear VR's optics are decent, but phone heat-throttling ruins long sessions. Consider dedicated standalone headsets instead.

Forget new. For Samsung, check eBay for used Gear VR (SM-R325) models. I've tried many; these are robust and often under $50. Newer isn't always better for mobile VR; phone compatibility is key. Save your cash for better screen protectors and phone upgrades; those make a bigger difference in the long run.

Before diving in, be careful with mobile VR. Neck strain and disorientation are real. Maybe try a used Oculus Go first. See if VR agrees with you before spending big.