Virtual Reality on Android Smartphone for Dummies

In our previously published articles, we discussed about the virtual reality headsets which natively support virtual reality – at minimum they have own displays inside the headsets. Of course, that kind of hardware would be great if these branded electronic gizmos were just cheap and not became outdated within the next 5 years. It is normal for most of the humans on this earth to tend towards finding some cheaper way to use existing Android smartphone to experience virtual reality. The matter actually is not so easy for various reasons, additionally a comparison with those dedicated virtual reality headsets are arising. Furthermore, some companies complicate the easy matters to the customers. This Article on Virtual Reality on Android Smartphone for Dummies Hope to Be a Friendly Guide for Many of the Readers Specially on Budget to Address Some of those Observed Bias.

Virtual Reality on Android Smartphone : Which Smartphone Models Actually Support VR?

Android Smartphones which has gyroscope and screens are of high-resolution. Such devices are fully compatible with headsets like Samsung Gear VR. That basically means the higher end models of Samsung or equivalent manufactures – Samsung Note 7, Samsung Galaxy S6, S7 and upwards. You can look at official website of Samsung Gear VR for latest compatible models [1].

Google Cardboard is a cheap easy way of experiencing kind of old style virtual reality. Any Android Smartphone actually compatible with Google Cardboard or similar cheap devices assembled or manufactured by third parties.
In either case, the smartphone screen is made in two halves by applications like virtual reality video player to deliver slight different view naturally perceived by our two eyes in real life. You can look at official website of Google Cardboard for detailed information [2].

But, Android Smartphones without gyroscope and lower screen resolution’s virtual reality basically get limited to playing video, that’s too the experience will not be great because of low screen resolution. That gyroscope thing is under chipset manufacturers’ hand.

Virtual Reality on Android Smartphone Headsets (Like Samsung Gear VR) Versus Oculus Rift Like Full Virtual Reality Headsets

Although, our topic of discussion is virtual reality on Android Smartphone, it is practical to discuss around devices like Oculus Rift. Oculus Rift, HTC Vive like HUD as Virtual Reality Headsets are far superior than Android Smartphone Headsets converted to provide virtual reality in any way. The quality delivered by Oculus Rift after initial availability was mind blowing to the most testers across the globe. Because the headset is comfortable to wear, it just gives a feel of inside the game, quality of materials is high, quickly responds to head or eye movements, has safety features not to hit wall, resolution is very high etc. But to wear Oculus Rift and play games, you need quite high-end computer with good graphics card and enough RAM.

As the difference of total cost for Oculus Rift is too high and probably most users seek “just virtual reality” to watch videos, pictures; that is why Google Cardboard like things are suggested to test with Android Smartphones. But Samsung Gear VR is far superior than Google Cardboard (we are discussing in later part of this article).
You can read this kind-of-comparison of various types of virtual reality headsets on this webpage of Wikipedia.

With Good Quality Android Smartphone, Which Type of Headset if Perfect for Me?

Even if you have decided to go with a good smartphone to experience virtual reality, there is another thing to consider – whether to go with Samsung Gear VR like headsets or Google Cardboard like headsets. That simply means, you need to compare Samsung Gear VR with Google Cardboard. That is basically not possible, although seems like comparable.

Google Cardboard is just a phone holder with minimum magnifying glasses to adjust our eye focus. Now, cheap China companies manufacture them too.

On the other hand, Samsung Gear VR built is like Oculus Rift like headset – it does have sensors inside headset. That means head tracking of Samsung Gear VR will be smooth. Some models of Samsung Gear VR do have remote control as well. It is Oculus Rift who has collaborated with Samsung for Samsung Gear VR [3].

We can make some points in favour of Samsung Gear VR :

1. Difference of Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift is in real minimum
2. With Samsung Gear VR, you will actually will enjoy the after-sales support network of Samsung.
3. Resource consumption behind Samsung Gear VR is far lesser than full Oculus Rift
4. Delivers lesser motion sickness than Google Cardboard like holders.

You can try Made in China cheap Google Cardboard like things to just test how it feels. But, really Samsung Gear VR delivers far better experience. Some users do complain of odd feel out of watching movies in virtual reality – somewhat like motion sickness. That phenomenon become just bad with Google Cardboard.

Conclusion

Obviously, even a fool from remote village will understand that Oculus Rift is great for the gamers. Samsung Gear VR is practically Android thing. It is agreeable that Oculus Rift is near ideal headset. But the total setup cost to power Oculus Rift is of multi-thousand dollar matter. That is probably great if you played 50 free spins and won to have such privilege of luxury!

Sadly, most peoples are limited by budget. Most even do not have good enough smartphone with gyroscope and high resolution display. So, Google Cardboard is their option keeping in mind – without gyroscope practically only watching video, images sitting at one place is practical.

If your Android Smartphone model supports Samsung Gear VR like headset, then you should not waste money and time behind Google Cardboard rather buy Samsung Gear VR like thing.

References :

[1] http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-vr/
[2] https://vr.google.com/cardboard/
[3] https://www.oculus.com/blog/introducing-the-samsung-gear-vr-innovator-edition/