Samsung Electronics is pleased to announce that it received over 30 awards at Mobile World Congress 2018, including “Best New Connected Device” at the annual Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO Awards) for the Galaxy S9+. The Galaxy S9+ was selected for its refined design, advanced camera and outstanding performance. The Galaxy S9+ reimagines the way people communicate, share and experience the world.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees of the 2018 GLOMO Awards,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “The GLOMOs recognize the best of the best in mobile, highlighting the technologies, products, companies and individuals that are pushing the boundaries of ingenuity and innovation and creating a better future for all of us. We thank all of our entrants, judges, sponsors and partners for supporting the 2018 GLOMOs.”

The Galaxy S9+ also received recognition from TechRadar, Android Authority, Alphr and PC Mag, and the Galaxy S9 was awarded by organizations such as PhoneArena, Android Central, Expert Reviews, Android Police, T3 and Ubergizmo.

Several of Samsung’s innovative technologies and devices were also recognized, including:

• Samsung Pay was awarded “Best Mobile Innovation for Payment” at the GLOMO Awards for its industry-leading mobile payment service that is simple, safe and available almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card.

• Gear VR with Controller was recognized as “Best Mobile VR or AR” at the GLOMO Awards for setting and exceeding the standard for VR experiences.

• Samsung DeX was awarded “Best of MWC 2018” by ITPro, and best accessory by Tom’s Guide and Digital Trends for its ability to empower a mobile lifestyle by bringing an easy-to-use, full-screen experience to the mobile handset.

“We are honored to be recognized by the GSMA and many organizations for our mobile technologies,” said Younghee Lee, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “The way people use their devices and what they want from technology is changing. At Samsung, we remain committed to listening to our customers and pushing ourselves to deliver not just the best products and services, but ways to make their experiences better.”

Let’s take a closer look at these new additions to Samsung’s expanding VR ecosystem, designed to make immersive 360-degree content more accessible and enjoyable.

Gear 360: 4K-Capable and Made for Sharing 

The Gear 360 lets users record 360-degree videos that place viewers at the heart of the action, capturing a complete picture of the recorded experience as well as all the emotion, excitement and beauty that made it memorable. Such vivid detail is possible thanks to the Gear 360’s best-in-class cameras, which feature dual 8.4-megapixel fisheye lenses that support 15-megapixel images and, for the first time, immersive 360-degree 4K videos. The bright F2.2 lenses provide crisp detail even in low-light conditions, allowing users to create high-resolution content regardless of the time of day.

To help creators put their best content forward, the new Gear 360 comes equipped with a variety of shooting modes and editing tools, and makes it possible to effortlessly convert 360-degree videos into standard formats for easy-to-share content.

The camera also supports high-quality, 360-degree live broadcasting*. When synced with a compatible smartphone or computer** via Wi-Fi or a USB cable, the device enables users to easily upload content to stay connected no matter where they are. They can also seamlessly livestream their content on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Samsung VR.

The Gear 360’s updates also extend to its design, which retains the familiar black and white, astronaut helmet-inspired aesthetic but in a compact and lightweight form for enhanced portability. Furthermore, the integrated tripod provides a comfy, one-handed grip, and is compatible with a selection of third-party accessories and mounts.

The Gear 360 will be available in select markets in late April.

Gear VR with Controller:
A Hands-On Approach to VR Immersion

Featuring a refined design and a new, multifunctional Controller, Samsung’s latest Gear VR**, powered by Oculus, introduces more comfort and fun to the virtual reality experience, taking users’ immersion to entirely new levels.

Built to combine the functions of a gamepad and remote control, the standalone, motion-sensitive Controller adds comfort to the Gear VR experience by placing the device’s controls in the user’s hands rather than on the headset itself.

With a curved design, the Controller offers a natural grip for enhanced one-handed control. Its clickable touchpad and trigger allow users to easily navigate VR apps and virtual worlds with simple motions. Meanwhile, the intuitive layout of home, volume and back keys ensures easy access to the functions, so users can manage them while fully focusing on their activity.

In addition, the Controller offers better motion interaction with minimized arm and head movement for comfortable and prolonged use. And for those especially active moments, the wrist strap provides a secure grip. When finished with a VR session, the Controller may be conveniently holstered on the headset’s strap.

The Gear VR headset’s ergonomic design makes for a secure and highly wearable fit while its expansive field of view (101 FOV) helps to minimize users’ motion sickness so they can enjoy immersive visuals for longer periods of time.

Furthermore, Gear VR users will never get bored as there are hundreds of diverse apps to choose from in addition to a newly added social VR party service that allows them to connect with friends to chat, watch videos and livestream games on social media.

Offered for the first time in an Orchid Gray finish, the Gear VR will be available for purchase in select markets in late April.

* The Nougat OS is required for live broadcasting functionality.

** The latest edition of the Gear 360 is compatible with Samsung flagship devices including the Galaxy S8 and S8+; Galaxy S7 and S7 edge; Galaxy Note5; Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+; Galaxy A5 (2017); and Galaxy A7 (2017). Gear 360 offers greater compatibility with devices running iOS 10.0 or later including the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE, as well as Windows/Mac computers.

*** The new Gear VR with Controller is compatible with the Galaxy S8 and S8+; Galaxy S7 and S7 edge; Galaxy Note5; and Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+. In addition, the Controller can be purchased separately and connected via Bluetooth to compatible Samsung smartphones to work with previous versions of the Gear VR.

Attendees were welcomed by David Lowes, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics Europe, who began by discussing Samsung’s drive to push the limits of innovation. To illustrate the company’s extensive efforts, Mr. Lowes welcomed Tim Baxter, President and COO of Samsung Electronics America, to the stage, who announced Samsung’s launch of a commercial 5G network portfolio as well as its plan to provide the world’s first 5G fixed wireless networks, offering blazing fast gigabit home broadband, by early next year.

Mr. Baxter was then joined by Verizon’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Technology Architect, Roger Gurnani, who spoke on his company’s collaboration with Samsung to begin the first customer trials of 5G technology.

Later, Mark Notton, Samsung Electronics Europe’s Head of Portfolio Strategy, took to the stage to discuss the first of the company’s new tablet offerings: the Galaxy Tab S3. Describing the device as “a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that’s also powerful, fast and versatile,” Mr. Notton illuminated how the tablet’s advanced entertainment and gaming features and refined S Pen, which embodies a creative heritage dating back to Samsung’s popular Note line, help users have more fun.

Afterward, Alanna Cotton, Vice President of Samsung Electronics America, revealed the other new addition to Samsung’s tablet lineup: the Galaxy Book. After unveiling the device, Ms. Cotton outlined how Samsung optimized the 2-in-1 tablet with a lightweight and sturdy design, fast-charging battery, speedy, seventh-generation Intel® Core processor and Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system to offer users the most powerful and productive experience possible. As she told the crowd, “We’re giving users not just a perfect balance between a tablet and a laptop, but a device that can do everything their high-powered PC does.”

Before inviting attendees to test out the new tablets for themselves, Samsung took a moment to announce the launch of a new, motion-sensing Bluetooth controller for the Gear VR headset, designed to help users navigate and immerse themselves in virtual reality content, and also shared an exclusive sneak peek at another Galaxy innovation soon to make its own highly anticipated debut.

After showing a brief video offering a taste of its next flagship smartphone, Samsung distributed invitations to attend a Galaxy Unpacked event on March 29.

In case you missed the exciting announcements, check out the highlights of the event below.

Samsung’s pre-MWC 2017 press conference welcomed approximately 1,900 attendees – as well as those live streaming the event from across the globe – for a sneak peek at its latest mobile innovations. Attendees await the start of the event inside the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya’s packed conference hall.

David Lowes, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics Europe, discusses Samsung’s commitment to quality, as well as its drive to keep innovating and pushing boundaries.

Tim Baxter, President and COO of Samsung Electronics America, announces Samsung’s launch of a commercial 5G network portfolio.

Roger Gurnani, Verizon’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Technology Architect, discusses his company’s collaboration with Samsung to bring 5G networks to the masses.

Mark Notton, Samsung Electronics Europe’s Head of Portfolio Strategy, discusses the first new addition to Samsung’s versatile tablet lineup: the Galaxy Tab S3.

Attendees were especially impressed by the Galaxy Tab S3’s sleek design, powerful multimedia features and new, multifunctional S Pen.

Alanna Cotton, Vice President of Samsung Electronics America, reveals the new Galaxy Book 2-in-1 tablet – designed to deliver powerful, PC-level performance.

Peggy Johnson, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Business Development, describes how the Galaxy Book’s S Pen functionality and Windows 10 integration allow users to enjoy new levels of productivity.

Illustrator, designer and Adobe Creative Resident Becky Simpson demonstrates how the S Pen’s precision, natural feel and ability to vary the thickness of its strokes depending on the angle at which it’s tilted can help artists create.

Samsung reveals a new, motion-sensing Bluetooth controller for the Gear VR headset, designed to help users better navigate and immerse themselves in virtual reality content.

Attendees get hands-on with the just-released tablets.

An immersive monument unveiled immediately after the press conference invites attendees to ‘Unbox your phone’ at a March 29 Galaxy Unpacked event.

Samsung Electronics today announced the Samsung Gear VR with Controller powered by Oculus, the company’s first-ever Gear VR headset with a controller. The Gear VR with Controller expands Samsung’s virtual reality ecosystem and makes it easier for consumers to enjoy Gear VR experiences.

For optimal play and convenience, the Controller features an ergonomic, curved design, offering convenient one-hand control and better motion interaction with minimized head movement for a comfortable user experience. In addition, the Controller provides users with:

• Various Motion Input for a Better VR Experience – The Touchpad provides quicker selection and interaction in VR apps, enabling various forms of motion, including the ability to point, drag and drop, tilt, shoot, among other actions, while the Trigger allows for enhanced gaming experiences.
• Minimized Movement for Long-time Use – The Home, Volume and Back keys located on the Controller give users everything they need in easy reach so that they can keep their focus on immersive content.
• A Secure Grip for Comfortable Play – Even during the most active movements, the Controller’s wrist strap offers a secure grip for comfortable and secure play.

“At Samsung, we are focused on setting and exceeding the standard for VR experiences, making them even more accessible and delivering the highest in quality,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “The Gear VR with Controller expands our VR ecosystem to help consumers get more engaged and immersed in VR content – whether it’s games or videos.”

For an expansive viewing experience, the Gear VR with Controller offers 42mm lenses with 101-degree FOV (Field of View) and advanced distortion correction technology to minimize motion sickness. The Samsung Gear VR with Controller will support both micro USB and USB Type-C port with a converter in-box. Additionally, the Gear VR will have a strap on the headset to hold the Controller when it is not in use.

The latest edition of the Samsung Gear VR is compatible with the Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge.

New Samsung Gear VR Product Specifications

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.