Find out how to choose the best smartphone for VR (Virtual Reality) experience. VR smartphones are smartphones that are compatible with mobile virtual reality headsets. If you can not afford to invest more than $ 600 in a high-end virtual reality headset like the HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift, then mobile VR seems to be the best option to discover this new technology. However, not all smartphones are equal to virtual reality. Discover our selection of the best VR smartphones.
In the virtual reality helmet market, there are different categories of devices. Virtual reality headsets for PCs, like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, need to be connected to a computer to work. Standalone virtual reality headsets work entirely autonomously without the need for another device. Finally, mobile virtual reality headsets work when attached to a smartphone.
What is mobile VR?
Mobile VR should be distinguished from the PC VR. Virtual reality headsets for PCs, such as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, connect to a computer through cables and draw their power from the machine. Meanwhile, the mobile VR headsets like the Samsung Gear VR, the Google Cardboard Daydream or different helmets have a slot to accommodate a smartphone. Once inserted, the smartphone serves as both engine and screen for the virtual reality headset. Its different position and motion sensors are also used for head-tracking.
How to use a mobile virtual reality headset?
To use a mobile virtual reality headset is a simple task. After choosing a headset, just buy a compatible smartphone. All that remains is to install the mobile application related to the headset and to insert the smartphone in the space provided for this purpose to engage in virtual reality. In general, these different steps are explained step by step when installing the headset.
What are the best mobile virtual reality headsets?
Currently, there are three leading mobile virtual reality platforms. The Samsung Gear VR is based on the Oculus platform. There are many applications also available on Oculus Rift, but also particular applications. Daydream headphones, such as the Google Daydream View, work with the Google Daydream platform, which includes games and experiences selected by Google.
The Samsung Gear VR and the Google Daydream View are currently the best mobile virtual reality headsets because of their manufacturing quality and broad catalog of applications. These cameras also come with a motion-sensing controller to interact smoothly and intuitively in VR. All other virtual reality headsets for smartphones work with the Google Cardboard platform.
This platform offers an initial experience of mobile virtual reality. It is open to all smartphones and all applications, so there are excellent experiences as well as mediocre games. Even among Cardboard helmets, not all are equal. The French brand Homido is one of the best manufacturers of Cardboard helmets. Do not hesitate to consult our guide and comparison of the best mobile virtual reality headsets.
What are the criteria to consider when choosing a VR smartphone?
The main criteria to consider when choosing a VR smartphone is, of course, the VR headset with which it is compatible. The Samsung Gear VR is compatible with Galaxy S8, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5. Google Daydream helmets are compatible with Google Pixel, Moto Z, Huawei Mate 9 Pro, and ZTE Axon 7. Helmets Google Cardboard is compatible with all smartphones.
The other criteria to consider are the technical features of VR smartphones. The most important features are the screen resolution. That depends on the visual quality of the VR experience, the processor, and the RAM. Also, that determine the fluidity of the experience and the energy consumption of the VR headset, and the battery capacity, which determines the amount of time the user can spend in the RV before their smartphone runs out of power. Of course, the price of the VR smartphone is also a criterion to take into account, but to enjoy the best VR experience, it is apparently necessary to get your hands on the wallet.
What are the best smartphones for virtual reality?
The time has come to establish a ranking of the best VR smartphones. In other words, we will determine which are the best smartphones for virtual reality. To create this ranking, we took into account the technical characteristics of the various smartphones as well as their compatibility with different virtual reality headsets.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: the best of VR smartphones
Price: 959 euros
Presented as part of the Barcelona MWC 2018, the Galaxy S9 is Samsung’s new smartphone. This smartphone, very similar to the Galaxy S8, is equipped with the same screen OLED QHD 18.5: 9 as its predecessor. However, it embeds a new Snapdragon 845 processor significantly more performant than the Snapdragon 835 S8.
Knowing that the Galaxy S9 is compatible with Samsung Gear VR 2017, Google Daydream, and the augmented reality platform Google ARCore, it is currently the best of VR smartphones. However, its price of 859 euros (959 euros for the Plus version) can be a deterrent. Thus, the Galaxy S8 remains a more affordable alternative if the VR is your priority.
Google Pixel 2 XL: the best Google Daydream compatible VR smartphone
Price: 900 euros
Released at the end of 2017, the Pixel 2 XL is an improved version of the 2016 Pixel XL. This new model features an 18: 9 QHD screen made by LG, while the Pixel XL screen was made by Samsung. Unfortunately, this screen is a little less successful with problems of saturation and viewing angles.
On the other hand, this new Pixel 2 XL embeds a Snapdragon 835 processor, much more potent than the SD 821 of the first Pixel XL. The battery is a bit wider, but the battery life is not much improved. If you can afford it, the Google Pixel 2 Xl is the best Google Daydream compatible smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8: the most substantial VR compatible VR smartphones
Price: 742 euros
The Galaxy Note 8 is very similar to the Galaxy S8, but its screen is more comprehensive (as well as its size). Thus, users of Samsung Gear VR will enjoy an even more spectacular experience. Admittedly, this imposing device will not be suitable for all users, but if you have nothing against phablets, the VR experience is even more convincing.
Plus, just like the Galaxy S8, the Galaxy Note 8 is also compatible with the Google Daydream VR headsets, and the Google ARCore augmented reality platform. As a smartphone, the Note 8 also offers exciting features compared to the Galaxy S8, such as a dual back camera and an S-Pen pen. Only downside: a starting price of 742 euros.
Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8 +: the best value for money on VR smartphones
Price: 641 €
The Samsung Galaxy S8 offers one of the best mobile virtual reality experiences at the moment. This phone has a powerful mobile processor, which makes all the difference once in virtual reality. With the Snapdragon 835, the Galaxy S8 will not overheat and slow down even after hours of video games or 360-degree movies. Also, this stylish smartphone has an Infinity Display screen to display images in maximum resolution.
The other advantage of the Galaxy S8 in the mobile VR market is the Samsung Gear VR headset. If almost all smartphones are compatible with Google Cardboard headsets, only Samsung phones are consistent with the Gear VR. This device has been developed with Oculus and offers not only the best hardware quality (with integrated motion detection sensors) but also the best games and experiences in the market.
Some games do not have to blush at the best titles available on PC, and there are also several games Oculus Rift on the Gear. Also, this headset is compatible with a motion-sensing Bluetooth controller for more advanced interactions. The icing on the cake: the Galaxy S8 is also one of the few smartphones compatible with the Google Daydream helmets, Google’s virtual reality platform. And for augmented reality fans, the Galaxy S8 is also compatible with the Google ARCore platform.
Google Pixel XL: the first Google Daydream compatible VR smartphone
Price: 955 €
The Google Pixel XL is the first high-end smartphone directly produced by Google. This phone offers impressive performance and no-frills Android experience, but it’s also one of the only devices compatible with the Google Daydream VR headset at the moment. The Daydream platform is still new, but it is already the best mobile VR platform after Samsung Gear VR. Google carefully chooses the VR applications offered on its platform, to provide users with the best quality of experiences.
This smartphone is both fast and powerful, and it’s 2560 × 1440 resolution screen allows you to enjoy excellent picture quality in virtual reality. The Google Pixel, Pixel XL’s little brother, is also compatible with Daydream headsets, but its 1080p screen offers a less visually impressive experience. Unfortunately, these two VR smartphones are not officially available in France and must be imported, just like the Daydream helmets.
Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge: a VR smartphone more affordable than the S8 but far from obsolete
Price: 495 €
The flagship 2016 Samsung remains one of the best VR smartphones. Featuring a sturdy Snapdragon 820 processor and a 2560 × 1440 resolution QHD display, this phone offers excellent image quality. The Galaxy S7 has a 3000 mAh battery, and the Galaxy S7 Edge has a 3600 mAh battery. Both devices have substantial autonomy and can explore the virtual reality for several tens of minutes before falling out of energy. The primary asset of these two smartphones, as for the Galaxy S8, remains the compatibility with the Samsung Gear VR.
Alcatel Idol 4s: the most affordable of all VR smartphones
Price: 218 €
If you want to experiment with mobile virtual reality without investing in an expensive smartphone, the Alcatel Idol 4s is the best solution. Priced at just € 223, this smartphone comes with a virtual reality headset similar in design to the Gear VR but running on the platform Google Cardboard. Indeed, the proposed experience is much less impressive than the Gear VR, but it allows to discover the RV at a reasonable price.
The Idol 4s is not a performance monster, but its features are correct. The QHD screen allows you to enjoy a good image quality, and the satisfactory autonomy will let you play a few tens of minutes in peace. Also, the smartphone does not overheat beyond measure.
ZTE Axon Pro: good value for money VR smartphone
Price: 199,99 €
The ZTE Axon Pro is a good compromise for mobile VR. The smartphone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor clocked at 2GHz coupled with 4GB of RAM. Its 3000 mAh battery offers a perfect battery life, and its 5.5-inch QHD resolution TFT LCD screen offers a pleasant visual quality. For this price, you will hardly find a better VR ready smartphone.
LG G4: LG’s best VR smartphone
Price: 276 €
With a qHD display, a 3000 mAh battery, and 3G of RAM, the LG G4 is not the most recent LG smartphone, but its price significantly lower than the G5 and G6 makes it the best choice for an affordable mobile VR experience.
iPhone 7: the best iPhone VR
Price: 605 €
The iPhone 7 has a 1334 × 750 display. That is not 4K, but the quality of this screen allows it to compete with Android smartphones with higher resolution. Similarly, thanks to its A10 processor manufactured by Apple, the iPhone 7 provides a mobile VR experience of quality even with only 2GB of RAM. Unfortunately, Apple does not yet offer a virtual reality headset designed specifically for the iPhone, and users will have to settle for Google Cardboard headphones.