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Virtual reality (VR) is fast becoming a popular medium not just for entertainment, but for designers and people in other professions, as well. Samsung is one of the leaders in consumer VR thanks to the Samsung Gear VR hardware, which provides an affordable way for Samsung smartphone owners to try out a wide variety of virtual experiences. From first-person shooting to flying through the Alps, to swimming with dolphins under the sea, the possibilities are near endless. In this article, we will break down ten of the very best Gear VR apps available in 2019.
Best Gear VR Apps: FAQ
1. What Is the Samsung Gear VR?
Samsung Gear VR is virtual reality hardware designed for use with Samsung smartphones. When you open the Gear VR box, you’ll find a headset and a controller. Your Samsung smartphone slots neatly into the Gear VR headset, and the wireless controller allows you to interact with the virtual worlds around you in each app.
2. Is It Expensive?
3. What Kinds of Experiences Are Available?
Samsung Gear VR has a number of different experiences on offer. Games are the most popular, and these range from action and adventure to puzzle games and beyond. There are also what’s known as VR experiences. With these you can tour famous locations and learn about them, go on a virtual African safari, or face your fears in heights simulators.
Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and other streaming services also have VR apps that turn your headset into an IMAX-level screen that takes up your whole field of view. Of course, there are design apps that let you creat 3D art and models, as well. If you’re at all curious about virtual reality, you’re almost certain to find something to enjoy in the best Gear VR apps.
How We Reviewed
For the purposes of this unbiased review, we looked at elements of each of the best Gear VR apps including graphics, ease of use, and overall effectiveness. For example, one might expect a BBC Earth VR app to be educational and visually stunning, while a game should handle well and be intuitive and fun.
Overall Price Range
What We Reviewed
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Within
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BBC Earth: Life in VR
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InCell
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Horizons
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Star Chart
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Rush
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Netflix
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Intel True VR
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End Space
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AMC VR
Within
Features
Within is less a single app and more a release platform for VR content creators around the world. You can go on fantastical virtual rollercoasters, check out a short Mr. Robot virtual experience, and view news content from the likes of Apple, NBC, and the New York Times. VR music videos, animated content, and more are all also on offer. The only issue with Within is that the video quality varies depending on what content you’re watching. Still, it’s free and packed with fascinating virtual experiences that range from the educational to pure fun. That makes it easily one of the best Gear VR apps available.
Where to Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shakingearthdigital.vrsecardboard&hl=en
Supported Platforms
In addition to Samsung Gear VR, Within also works with HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Playstation VR, and Google Cardboard.
BBC Earth: Life in VR
Features
BBC Earth: Life in VR is another free app for Gear VR, this one based on the popular BBC nature documentary series. It does not use 360-degree video, as one might expect, but is rather a fully animated educational experience. Swim with sea otters, dive deep into the depths of the ocean with a sperm whale, and become microscopic to learn about plankton in this colorful interactive app. The entire experience is rather short, but it’s also free so who’s complaining? If you love the Planet Earth and Blue Planet documentary series and want to put yourself right into the middle of the action, this is the way to do it.
Where to Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bbc.lifeinvr01
Supported Platforms
In addition to Samsung Gear VR, BBC Earth: Life in VR also works with Google Daydream headsets and supported phones.
InCell
Features
InCell is yet another free VR app, this one a unique action/racing game that throws in a bit of education thanks to its unexpected setting: a carefully recreated human cell. You’ll journey into the cell itself, outracing viruses and scoring points to keep the cell alive. It’s simple yet fun and engaging, runs well, and is even ad-free. You can even try InCell if you don’t have a VR setup just yet; it has a standard viewing mode for users who would rather play the traditional way. Like many of these free apps, it’s short and relatively simple; but it’s a fun experience and a great way to learn the ins and outs of Samsung Gear VR.
Where to Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nivalvr.incell&hl=en_IN
Supported Platforms
InCell can be played on Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, and other phone-based VR setups.
Horizons
Features
Horizons is a free musical app featuring music by Bonobo. It’s set to Bonobo’s song “Outliers” from the album Migration, and allows players to alter both the music and the visuals. Less a game more of an interactive musical experience, Horizons is nonetheless visually stunning and soothing in a dreamlike way. If you’re looking for a simple yet great-looking app to show off your new hardware, or just want something a little less intense than the average VR game, this is one of the best Gear VR apps for you.
Where to Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reactify.HorizonsVR
Supported Platforms
Horizons, like InCell, is available for Gear VR and other phone-based Google VR platforms.
Star Chart
Features
Star Chart is the perfect VR app for space lovers: it allows users to explore every known object in the solar system, from the sun to the smallest moons of Jupiter, all in a real-time simulation. View constellations and learn about the stars that make them up, examine planetary geography on distant planets like Mars, and begin to understand the vast scale of our universe with this paid app. If you love science, and particularly outer space, you’ll love this app.
Where to Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.escapistgames.starchartvr.daydream&hl=en_IN
Supported platforms
Star Chart VR is available on Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.
Rush
Features
Rush is an exciting, fast-paced wingsuit simulation that lets players leap off of mountainsides in four bright, colorful environments and soar in races against the computer or up to three friends in online matches. With over eighty tracks and three modes, you won’t run out of things to do any time soon. This app’s sense of speed is fantastic, and if you’re looking for a thrill ride you should give it a shot. The graphics are more on the cartoony side than realistic, but if you don’t mind that it’s one of the more frenetic experiences for Samsung Gear VR.
Where to Download
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/gear-vr/1279952315376503/?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=TnL5HPStwNw
Supported Platforms
Rush is available for Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Go.
Netflix
Features
Netflix’s VR app is exactly what you think it is: it allows you to watch Netflix in VR anywhere, anytime. It effectively turns your phone into a massive screen that fills your entire field of view. While some users complain that its user interface isn’t very intuitive, it still allows you to access the entire Netflix library wherever you have internet access. Unfortunately, you can’t download content to take with you on the go, but still: it’s Netflix in VR, and that alone makes it one of the best Gear VR apps. The app itself is free, but a monthly Netflix subscription will cost you a few bucks.
Where to Download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netflix.android_vr
Supported Platforms
Netflix VR is supported by just about any Android platform, in addition to Oculus Rift.
Intel True VR
Features
Intel True VR is a virtual sports app that lets fans attend sporting events in VR. Check out highlights from the NFL, NCAA football, pro tennis, and more as though you’re right there on the sideline. If you want to watch live NFL games you can, but you’ll need NFL’s GamePass subscription to do so. Still, if you want to experience the excitement of a live sports in virtual reality, this is one of the best Gear VR apps for it.
Where to Download
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/gear-vr/1078081848954500/?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=TnL5HPStwNw
Supported Platforms
This app works for all Oculus platforms in addition to Gear VR.
End Space
Features
End Space is a highly immersive space fighter simulator that puts you in the cockpit of a starfighter and tasks you with blasting your enemies. As you play, you’ll unlock more powerful weapons and tougher levels. With stunning graphics and sound and high-octane action, this is one of the most immersive and best Gear VR apps to try in 2019. It even manages to avoid being disorienting or nauseating, unlike so many other first person VR games. It’s not free, but if you love action games,
it’s well worth the low price of admission.
Where to Download
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/gear-vr/941837879186570/?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=TnL5HPStwNw
Supported Platforms
This app works for all Oculus platforms in addition to Gear VR.
AMC VR
Features
AMC VR puts users right in the middle of AMC’s scripted series, including one of the biggest TV shows in the world, The Walking Dead. View scenes from that show and others including Into the Badlands and The Terror in 360 degrees and enter the world of your favorite shows. If you love AMC’s content and want more, or just want a cool showcase for live-action VR content, this is one of the best Gear VR apps. It’s also free and updates occasionally with new content!
Where to Download
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/gear-vr/1372218952904227/?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=TnL5HPStwNw
Supported Platforms
This app works for all Oculus platforms in addition to Gear VR.
The Verdict
The best Gear VR apps for you will depend on what you want to get out of your VR experience. If you love action, you’ll want to check out End Space and Rush. If you love science, BBC Earth and Star Chart will be your new favorites. No matter what you’re looking for though, you can’t go wrong with any of these top picks.
