Smartphone VR Headsets

If you have a smart phone you have the potential to unlock a world of virtual content by simply sliding your smartphone into a VR compatible headset.

For the best VR experience on a mobile phone, it is really important to make sure that you have a resolution in full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels for those of you in the know!). If your mobile device has a lower resolution (google your phone model to find out), the VR experience will still be accessible, but may be less realistic or pixelated which may diminish your experience.

Below are our suggestions to get you started on your VR adventure. Please treat our list below only as a guide and take your time to find the right headset for you, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

BNEXT VR PRO

To start, the BNEXT VR PRO VR smartphone headset is easy to set up and is great for comfort as it features large lenses which are easily adjustable to suit you, the user. The Head Mounted Display (HMD) is a little pricier but users recommend the build quality and customer service.

Technical Specification

  • Field Of View (FOV): – Depends on Smart Phone
  • Operating System (OS): Android, iOS
  • VR headset price: £20

Pros:

  • Compatible with all operating systems on iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones
  • Positive reviews on build quality and comfort

Cons:

  • Top end pricing in this VR category

DESTEK V4

The DESTEK V4 is recommended by users for its comfortable design and fit and more usefully, for being compatible with a wide range of smartphones. It features a touch button on the HMD which allows for better VR interaction. Controllers are also available for purchase, if you so desire.

Technical Specification

  • FOV: 109°
  • OS: Android, iOS
  • VR headset price: £31.99

Pros:

  • Anti-blue light technology to prevent eye strain.
  • Option to purchase remote controller for better VR interaction.

Cons:

  • One of the pricier options in this category.

GOOGLE CARDBOARD

We think Google Cardboard is great for those starting out on their VR adventure. It is compatible with a wide range of smartphones but we find the display of Google Cardboard works better with smaller Android handsets due to the small sized viewer. It is perfect for those who want to begin to explore the world of Virtual Reality without a big initial cost. See it as a way to dip your toe into the ‘virtual’ water.

Technical Specification

  • FOV: 109°
  • OS: Android, iOS
  • VR headset price: £7.99

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
  • Great for VR beginners

Cons:

  • Quality not the best
  • Limited functionality
  • No hand controller

Smartphone

Headsets that utilise your smart phone are the cheapest point of entry into the VR market.

Wireless

Today’s wireless headsets feature zero delay technology but can be more expensive than their wired counterparts.

Wired

Wired headsets offer an immersive experience, albeit with a tethered connection to a processing unit.

Virtual reality apps

If you have VR headset and don’t know what to do next, the next step is often to download a VR app to display compatible content.   In many cases you are actually able to do this via a typical web browser, but in case you’re looking for something even more spectacular we’ve put together a handy compilation of apps that will make your VR experience as exciting and immersive as possible.