Samsung updated its Gear 360 camera with 4K video capture, live broadcasting features, and improved compatibility with various hardware platforms.
In all other ways, though, the 2017 refresh of the Gear 360 camera is an obvious step-up over its predecessor. The new camera records 360-degree video in true 4K for a more immersive experience. It can also be connected to YouTube, Facebook, and Samsung VR for live broadcasting or direct uploads. However, "direct uploads" is a bit of a misnomer; you still have to connect the camera to a compatible PC or smartphone to share your recordings with the world.
That process should be made easier by the new Gear 360's expanded compatibility list. The original camera was designed specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. This new model is compatible with more Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S8 and S8+ that were announced today, recent iPhones from the iPhone SE to the iPhone 7 Plus, and PCs running Windows and macOS. (The company didn't say what versions of Windows are supported.)
Samsung didn't announce a price or release date for the Gear 360.
| Product | Samsung Gear 360 (2017) |
|---|---|
| Camera | Two CMOS 8.4-megapixel fish-eye cameras |
| Image Processor | DRIMe5s |
| Video | MP4 (H.265)– Dual Lens: 4096×2048 (24fps) |
| Image | JPEG– Dual Lens: 15MP |
| Audio | Codec: ACCFormat: MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG |
| Memory | Up to 256GB microSD card |
| Features | - Shooting mode: Video, Photo, Time Lapse Video, Looping Video, Landscape HDR- IP53 Certified Dust and Water Resistant- Camera mode: Dual/Single Lens mode |
| Connectivity | - Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)- Wi-Fi Direct- Bluetooth 4.1- USB 2.0 (Type-C) |
| Dimensions | 100.6 × 46.3 × 45.1mm |
| Weight | 130g |
| Battery | 1,160mAh Li-ion |
| Compatibility | - Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6, S6 edge, A5 (2017), A7 (2017) (Android 5.0 or later)- iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6S, 6s Plus, SE, (iOS 10.0 or later) - Windows, macOS |
