Samsung to offer free Gear VR headsets with Galaxy S7 pre-orders

Gear VR makes an appearance in Samsung's Galaxy S7 teaser. Photo: Samsung

Gear VR makes an appearance in Samsung’s Galaxy S7 teaser. Photo: Samsung

With an even greater design and huge internal improvements, the Galaxy S7 should be an easy sell. But Samsung is throwing in free goodies to make its next-generation flagship even more enticing.

According to one rumor, those who pre-order a device from the Galaxy S7 series before it launches on March 11 will get a free Gear VR headset.

Last year’s Samsung devices were by far its best, with designs that actually felt high-end, a much-improved TouchWiz, and cutting-edge features — including one of the best smartphone cameras on the market. But they weren’t perfect.

Many fans bemoaned the lack of expandable storage we’re so used to getting from Samsung devices, and indeed the missing water-resistance we got with the Galaxy S5. Battery life could have been a lot better, too.

Samsung is expected to address all of these complaints with the Galaxy S7, which is rumored to be better inside and out, with incredible battery life, a microSD card slot, and improved hardware that doesn’t mind getting wet.

For fans of the Galaxy S series, upgrading to the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge should be a no-brainer, then — but Samsung wants to make it even sweeter. AndroidWorld reports the South Korean company will throw in a free Gear VR headset worth $99 for those who pre-order.

It’s thought you’ll be able to place your order soon after Samsung announces the Galaxy S7 on February 21, but the handsets won’t actually be available until March 11. Those who buy before March 10 will be eligible for the freebie, it is claimed.

We’ll have to wait until Samsung’s event for confirmation on this — and to find out how much the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge will cost.