7 Best Phones for VR Experience 2022 [UPDATED]
Looking for the but are not sure about virtual reality compatible phones and that do a better job? Below is the VR box compatible phones list of the best smartphones for the greatest VR experience.
If you do not feel like shelling out $800 for an HTC Vive or $600 for an Oculus Rift, then your phone is the next best VR option. With each Samsung and Google currently leading the pack, phone VR is looking more promising than ever. These are our picks for the best phones for VR experiences!
WHAT LIMITS THE SELECTIONS?
But before we dive too deep into best phones for VR, it’s important to understand what limits the selections here. There are three main VR platforms for mobile users and that they are:
Google Cardboard – Supports most modern Android devices, however, has limited capabilities (no motion controls), compared to competitors. Largest overall app ecosystem.
Google Daydream – Supports several high-end flagship Android devices and offers motion controls. Good app ecosystem, but smaller than Gear VR’s.
Samsung Gear VR – Supports the latest Samsung devices and not a lot of ease. Offers motion controls and is produced in partnership with Oculus, bringing a lot of games to the platform. Great app ecosystem, but smaller than Cardboards.
The best VR experience is found in gear VR and Google Daydream, however, these experiences are limited to a small pool of modern phones. This means that many great phones with similar specs are left out of higher-end VR experiences, which is a shame.
The Gear VR is actually a groundbreaking VR Headset for it is the first ever virtual reality headset which is made available for the guaranteed satisfaction of general consumers. However, what kind of smartphones support Gear VR, I will explain give a full list in this article.
Top Best Phones for VR Experience 2019
1. Samsung Galaxy S9+
If you are going to get a Samsung and you want the most effective possible VR experience, the Galaxy S9 is where it’s at. The processor in this Smartphone is the most capable you can buy in an android phone today, and it makes a huge difference in VR. You can play games and watch movies in VR for hours, and this Smartphone can never give you overheat warnings or slow down.
It is also a very nice Smartphone, with an impressive diamond pentile “infinity” display and a very nice camera. Here’s what Andrew Martonik of Android Central had to say about it:
There s no other way to say it: the Galaxy S9 looks downright futurist. Despite tempering our design expectations with the introduction of very nice curved displays and sleek metal last year, Samsung managed to one-up itself properly with the small bezels and fantastic execution of the Galaxy S9’s body.
The Galaxy S9 is also the most effective phone presently on the market that can run both Google Daydream and Gear VR. This means that one phone gets you access to twice as several VR apps and games for you to enjoy!
This is the phone for everybody, and when you are in VR through this phone you will find a lot of things to watch and touch and play than you are ever possible to finish. Whether you are a VR newcomer or a seasoned pro, this is the phone you get for VR.
PROS
- Elegant design
- Excellent display
- Awesome camera
- Android Oreo
- Excellent Audio experience
CONS
- Average Battery backup
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The Galaxy Note 8 is the S8’s larger, blockier and the two are nearly identical in design, with simply a few adjustments here and there. The most noticeable change is that the addition of a second rear camera and the extra features that the S pen delivers while you are not in VR.
This is also the second phone that’s capable of playing both Gear VR and Daydream, giving you lots of options when it comes to what VR you have got access to. The Note 8 has a larger screen, but generally, it is a much larger phone. One that totally fills the Gear VR when you snap it into place, providing you with that much more to feast your eyes upon.
Here s what Andrew Martonik of Android Central had to say:
If you are ready to handle the Note 8’s body, you are rewarded with what is, once again, the best smartphone display available today.
If you would like the biggest, brightest screen possible for your VR adventures, then this is often definitely the phone for the job. Whereas the phone itself may be a bit unwieldy to use one-handed, it only adds to the experience waiting in VR for you. With access to the best of mobile VR, this is often one of the best phones you can get for VR, and it will an incredible job of showing you worlds you have only imagined.
PROS
- The most feature-rich Android phone you can buy
- The two cameras take fantastic pictures
- Stunning design and build
- MicroSD expansion
- IP68 certified
- ‘Infinity Display’ is excellent
- 6GB of RAM
CONS
- Poorly placed fingerprint reader
- Samsung still loves overwrought software tweaks
- It might be a bit too big and heavy for some users
3. LG V30
The LG V30 and V30 plus will both offer a good VR experience. The selection to be made here really boils down to personal preference and the VR experience should be pretty much the same between the two smartphones. LG V30 and V30 plus Compatible Headsets: Google Daydream, Google Cardboard.
PROS
- Elegant and ergonomic design
- Water and dust resistant
- Snappy performance
- Intuitive software
- Excellent Audio
- Excellent battery back up
- Rear camera performance
CONS
- No portrait mode
- Selfie camera performance
4. Google Pixel 3XL
The Google pixel 3XL is the latest of Google’s flagships, being one of the few smartphones on the market sporting support for the company’s Daydream VR platform. Offering what is arguably one of the best phones for VR experience available on smartphones today, the pixel 3XL shapes up to be a speedy and overall outstanding device.
When paired with Google’s Daydream read headset, the pixel XL’s 2560×1440 display serve a crisp however equally smooth VR experience. The device’s smaller sibling, the Google pixel, also offers Daydream support but is held back by its smaller 1080p display.
With Daydream still in its time period, the Google pixel XL’s VR experience is relatively unique at now in time.
Take a look at Android Central’s review for a better look at the pixel and pixel XL!
PROS
- Compact, with great in-hand feel.
- Awesome camera all around.
- Solid display and good battery life, though neither is chart-topping.
CONS
- The back is slippery (can confirm) and scratches easily (we’ve been told).
- Just the one cam on the back when everyone else has at least two
5. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
It is only fitting that Samsung’s 2016 flagships are top when it comes to VR. They feature a powerful 820 snapdragon processor and Quad HD display with a resolution of 2560×1440, that makes for the sharp, pixel-dense, lovely screen.
The Galaxy S7 includes a 3,000mAh battery, whereas the Galaxy S7 Edge’s is 3,600mAh, which can allow you to explore the virtual world (using your Samsung Gear VR) for a good long while without having to worry about your phone dying on you.
With a beautiful display, powerful processor, and top-notch battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are your best phones for VR, especially since they are therefore perfect for the Samsung Gear VR. In fact, since the Galaxy S7’s release, Samsung has been running promotions for a free Gear VR once you purchase a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. Keep your eyes peeled!
Check out Android Central’s reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge for more!
PROS
- Excellent design and build quality
- Beautiful screen
- Camera is uber fast to focus, takes great pictures
- Waterproofing is a big bonus
- Mostly amazing performance
- Great camera has been further improved in low light
- MicroSD slot supports up to 200GB expandable memory
- Good battery life
CONS
- Edge screen software not super useful
- Very expensive
6. Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ is just better in each way. It boasts about its specifications highlight its dual-edge display and faster charging making it on prime of the choices of users. apart from it, it also boasts of its higher audio experience and improved camera that captures the great views around.
Since people are in demand of a dual-edge display, it was then that this Smartphone has been created to fulfill their needs. This is often the newest upgrade and this is in each word a better option as compared to others.
As highly emphasized, this phone selection is compatible with Gear VR. And thus, you can simply enjoy the experience brought by the support phone for Gear VR.
PROS
- Stunningly beautiful
- Fantastic screen
- Decent battery life
- Speedy performanceGreat camera
CONS
- Tricky to handle
- Hugely expensive
7. Samsung Galaxy Note 9
This is known for an excellent and perfect balanced emphasized including its function and type. This has also been on top of the choices of users for its features like platform, memory, display, body, sound, comms and features.
In considering its looks, it is very impressive and it also has its wonderful display making it the best version of Samsung ever released. Through its extended panel and water-resistant design features, you would like it more and would have it be added on your phone collection.
More importantly, it is included within the support phone for Gear VR.
PROS
- Excellent Audio
- Best display in a smartphone today
- Powerful performance
- Improved S Pen is quite useful
- Battery backup
- Camera performance
CONS
- Looks the same as Note8
- Thick and heavy
- Bixby 2.0 is a letdown
CAN NOT AFFORD THESE AND SIMPLY WANT TO USE CARDBOARD?
You can try this with just about any smartphone. In fact, you may even be able to do it with the smartphone you have right now. Cardboard doesn’t offer motion controls, however, it will allow you to experience 360 video and alternative cool, light VR applications.
Here are some of our recommendations for this scenario:
- 1080p display minimum, 1440p or higher preferred. this will facilitate minimize the “screen door effect” experienced in VR.
- Take advantage of custom Cardboard headsets, and realize one that fits your phone.
For a killer virtual reality smartphone experience, though, you’ll wish to stick to one of the phones listed above alongside a Gear VR/Google Daydream headset. Comment below with any queries. Otherwise, tell us what phone are you using for VR?
