Smartphone VR Headsets

Smartphone VR started as a fun novelty, but as phones got more powerful, major players jumped in, creating a whole new world of lightweight, easy-to-use VR. With so many options to choose from, we’ve broken it down into three categories: Basic, Standard, and Advanced. While we don’t endorse any specific product, we’ve highlighted the pros and cons of each to help you find the perfect fit for your VR experience.

Basic – Cardboard Goggles

A cardboard viewer is a great starting point for VR beginners. Compatible with most smartphones, it works best with smaller Android devices due to its compact viewer. Perfect for exploring Virtual Reality on a budget, it’s an affordable way to dip your toe into the virtual world.

Technical Specification


Pros of Cardboard for VR:

  • Affordable and budget-friendly
  • Compatible with many smartphones, especially smaller Android devices
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Easy to set up and use for VR beginners
  • Ideal for casual VR exploration

Cons of Cardboard for VR:

  • Basic display quality compared to higher-end headsets
  • Limited comfort for extended use
  • No built-in controllers for interactive experiences
  • Limited immersion and tracking capabilities

Smartphone – Apple & Android
Cost £2.00 – £5.00

Virtual reality can take you places from the comfort of your living room

Standard – Daydream (Discontinued)

At Flix, we’ve been big supporters of the Daydream headset, and though Google has discontinued it, you can still find it through third-party sellers as a budget-friendly choice for healthcare. Ideal for medical simulations training, patient education, and wellness sessions, the Google Daydream offers an immersive, user-friendly VR experience, perfect for healthcare professionals starting to explore VR.

Technical Specification


Pros of Using Google Daydream:

  • Lightweight and Comfortable
  • Fabric Material
  • Washable Lens Guard: Convenient for maintaining hygiene.
  • Affordable:  Available at a lower cost from third-party sellers.
  • User-Friendly Interface

Cons of Using Google Daydream:

  • Discontinued by Google
  • Compatibility Limitations: Requires specific settings being switch off on smartphone before use.
  • Small field of view (FOV) compared to more up to date smartphone headsets.
  • Basic Functionality

Smartphone – Apple & Android
Cost £5.00 – £50.00

Did you know? Flix VR pioneered VR training simulations in UK healthcare.

Advance range – DESTEK V4

The DESTEK V4 VR headset is a great way to upgrade your VR experience without the high price tag. Its adjustable straps design, and wide field of view ensure comfort for longer sessions. While the DESTEK V4 isn’t a high-end model, it is compatible with most smartphones and features optical lenses that reduce eye strain—perfect for anyone ready looking to bring VR to healthcare without a big investment.

Technical Specification


Pros of DESTEK V4 VR Headset:
  • Affordable and great value for the features
  • Adjustable head straps for a comfortable fit
  • Wide field of view for immersive experiences
  • Compatible with most smartphones
  • High-quality lenses that reduce eye strain

Cons of DESTEK V4 VR Headset:

  • Basic build compared to higher-end models
  • Bulky and very plastic
  • Limited controls (requires a separate controller for some apps)
  • May not fit larger smartphones comfortably

Smartphone – Apple & Android
Cost £45.00 – £65.00

Head Mounted Displays (HMD)?

A VR head-mounted display (HMD) is a wearable device that lets you dive into virtual worlds. With built-in screens and motion sensors, it tracks your head movements for an immersive experience. Whether for gaming, training, or wellness, a VR headset makes it all feel real. Click below to explore some HMDs.

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.