As the world of virtual reality has expanded into new dimensions, our most trustworthy platform, Google, did not hold back either. It introduced VR apps and VR headsets to contribute to the growing industry.
Its VR headsets include the Daydream View and Cardboard, which are among the most popular VR headsets. While they are not high-processing VR headsets, they provide a lot of value, as expected from any Google product.
In this post, we will take an in-depth look into the Google Daydream View VR headset along with its features, benefits, alternatives, pros, and cons. Let’s start!
Google Daydream VR Headset
Daydream VR has come a long way since Google created Cardboard to create its own VR platform. This headset is perfect for people who want to experience the amazing VR content Google provides in its apps and videos. It is comfortable, easy to set up, and has clear visuals. You might experience some issues with lagging and disconnection of the controller. However, the overall experience that Daydream provides deserves some recognition.
Alternate #1
Samsung Gear VR
The Samsung Gear VR headset is a great option for beginning gamers in virtual reality. It has a remote controller that provides Oculus-level tracking which increases immersion. Moreover, it is more spacious and comfortable for people with glasses to wear easily.
Alternate #2
Oculus Meta Quest 2 VR
The Oculus Meta Quest 2 VR headset is a very popular headset at the moment. It supports some great features and provides a very immersive experience. While it offers a quality VR journey, there are some improvements that can still be made to the headset but it is one of our most recommended headsets due to its value.
Quick Summary of the Main Product
Google Daydream View was introduced right behind the launch of the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR headsets. It gained trajectory following the simpler model of the Google Cardboard innovation.
Daydream View works quite well with Google’s Pixel phones and Android 7.0 Nougat. It is a medium-priced VR headset available at a slightly cheaper price as compared to the Samsung Gear VR headset falling under the $100 markup.
Since you need Pixel phones to work with this headset, it takes some time and money to reach the goal of using this headset. However, Daydream might expand as a platform as it has released templates for other manufacturers to follow the technological path of Daydream View.
Features and Benefits
In this section of the best, we will introduce all the beneficial features of Daydream View that make it an appealing VR headset.
Design
The Daydream headset has a very simplistic and approachable design. The headset is made beautifully with soft and stretchy fabric. The “slate” model is a lot more comfortable than it looks, and it is more homely as compared to the stark white plastic of Gear VR.
It is a bit tricky to adjust the elastic band once you have worn the headset. The weight of the smartphone might pull down the headset from your nose, forcing you to balance it on your cheekbones. There is no extra strap on top of the headset to provide support for this issue.
Easy Setup
Unlike other headsets that make you fiddle with plugging wires and adjusting the lenses, the Daydream headset allows you to quickly and easily set up the device. All you need to do is turn your smartphone on, place it inside the headset’s front door, and adjust the headset.
It comes with a Wii-like remote controller that you can calibrate and start using immediately with the headset. Your phone can automatically connect with the headset, and the screen adjusts according to different positions.
Functionality
You can teleport anywhere in the world with this VR headset. It is supported by Google’s Street View and Photos, which give you the ability to travel all around the globe to different dream destinations.
Due to Google’s support, you can expect the best experience from these apps.
Moreover, you can get access to some of the best YouTube VR content on this headset. YouTube 360 will allow you to take on exciting adventures such as swimming with dolphins or jamming with your favorite singers on stage.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Google Daydream VR Headset
This section will walk you through all the factors you should consider before purchasing the Daydream View headset.
Pricing
The Google Daydream VR is a mid-range budget VR headset falling a little below the price tag of Gear VR by Samsung. However, it does not have the best quality or features being offered at this price. You can find headsets with more value available at lower prices than Daydream.
Features
The initial setup of the headset is very simple, and once you have mounted your smartphone into the headset, you will get clear and crisp optics. The Pixel XL has a 2,560 x 1,440 AMOLED display that gives vibrant and rich visuals.
However, you might notice some motion blur during your use when you move your head from side to side. The lag in visuals can cause slight motion sickness as well as waiting for the optics to catch up to your position.
Controllers
As mentioned earlier in the post, this headset comes with a remote control similar to that of a Wii. You can use its touchpad or motion sensors to allow you to navigate through the virtual world. It also comes with a wrist strap to keep it safely locked in your hand.
The remote uses three buttons that include the menu, home, and touchpad buttons for scrolling, clicking, and interacting with different VR apps and games. You can store the remote controller safely in the small elastic band in the headset to ensure you do not lose it.
VR Content
You can access a number of VR games and apps from the Google Play Store. The best apps that work with this headset are Google’s own apps, such as Street View. Google promised approximately 50 new apps for you to experience on this headset.
The apps that you can access pre-launch are only a handful which includes
- Google Arts and Culture
- Google Street View
- Google Photos
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Mekorama
- Hunter’s Gate
- Wonderglade
- Star Chart VR
- Wall Street Journal
As a pro gamer, you might not appreciate this selection. Therefore, this headset is most suitable for beginners or people who enjoy VR videos or general VR content.
Specifications
The Google Daydream View VR headset has the following specifications:
- 6.57 x 4.18 x 3.81 inches dimensions
- 7 ounces weight
- Android 7.1 Nougat operating system
- 2 lithium metal batteries are included
- Soft breathable fabric
- Washable face pad
- Automatic smartphone pairing
- Remote Control
- 3 degree of freedom
Advantages and Disadvantages of Google Daydream VR Headset
- Relatively affordable
- Comfortable
- Intuitive interface
- Crisp visuals
- Decent design
- Comfortable
- Lack of VR content
- Visual features need improvement
- Might not perfectly sit on your face and might allow light to enter
Social Proof
The Daydream View headset has received praise and criticism from users. They have reported the headset as a step up for mobile VR and are happy with its touch-and-go aspect. The remote is quite intuitive, even for the use of older people.
Users realize that this headset is not meant to be a high-end viewer and cannot support high levels of immersion like headsets such as Oculus. However, this headset is comfortable and perfect for users who want to experience Google-based VR content.
Some of the user reviews we found online include:
Google Daydream View VR Review - Alternatives (Recommendations)
#1: Best Motion Controller VR Headset - Samsung Gear VR Review
The Gear VR is the best inexpensive VR headset that is perfect for you to experience some immersive VR content on your Samsung smartphone. It also has a new motion controller that enhances engagement further.
This version of the headset is not very different in terms of its design from the previous models. It has foam padding and Velcro straps to allow an easy and comfortable fit for your face. These face pads are removable if they get too dirty.
It is reasonably spacious and comfortable enough for you to use while wearing glasses. Moreover, it is very accessible for beginners as it is very easy to use. Since it includes an Oculus-powered controller now, it is a lot more convenient to navigate through virtual reality.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Samsung Gear VR
Pricing: The Samsung Gear VR headset is a middle-range priced headset that is relatively affordable for beginners. The price has been increased slightly in the case of purchasing it in a bundle with the Oculus controller.
Features: Since the quality of your experience depends on the smartphone you use, you will notice some pixelated images from time to time. However, you can adjust the focus wheel on top of the headset to get the eye resolution and comfort you desire.
It has a field of view of about 103 degrees and a refresh rate of 60Hz, which is expected from a budget headset. The images come out looking a bit stretched like they would on your PS4 or Xbox. Visuals do not look hyper-detailed like they would on your smartphone.
Controllers: There is finally a remote controller that comes with the headset, so you do not have to control the headset from the buttons on the side of the headset. It is powered by AAA batteries and has a sleek design.
It has a circular touchpad, a trigger for shooting games, control, and volume buttons. The remote allows Oculus-level motion tracking. However, there have not been many games designed for compatibility with this controller.
VR Content: There are only a handful of games you can play with this headset and its controller that feel at par with the Google Daydream View or Nintendo’s Wii. Samsung has allowed the compatibility of several backlogs of games and apps for the controller.
Specifications: This VR headset has the following specifications:
- 15.4 x 13.5 x 5.1 cm dimensions
- 0.76 pounds weight
- AMOLED panels
- 101 fields of view
- 60Hz refresh rate
- 2 AAA batteries included
- Motion tracking remote controller
- USB Type-C charging port
- Foam-padded headset
- Velcro straps
- Touchpad with home and back buttons
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Intuitive motion tracking
- Easy to use and comfortable remote
- New software runs cooler
- The batteries of the controller are not rechargeable
- Bigger than the Daydream View
Best Motion Controller VR Headset
The Samsung Gear VR headset is a great headset for users who want to start gaming in virtual reality because it has a good motion-controller powered by Oculus that provides a good experience.
#2: Best Standalone VR Headset - Oculus Meta Quest 2 Review
The Oculus Quest 2 is one of the most popular and frequently purchased VR headsets because of its versatility and its perfect compatibility for novices and seasoned veterans alike. We highly recommend this particular headset because it allows you to have the best VR experience.
Since this is a standalone headset, no hefty and over-expensive PC systems or additional hardware are required. Moreover, you do not have to deal with the added hassle of dealing with multiple cables and wires that become a hazard during VR use.
This reimagined version of the standalone predecessor is smaller and more lightweight to add to the comfort. You will recognize the noticeable difference when you use this headset for a longer period in a single sitting.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Meta Quest 2
Pricing: Initially, the headset started at a slightly expensive price offering smaller storage of 64 GB with some additional charges in the case of 128 GB. However, now the manufacturers have cut costs by almost $100 at the whooping storage of 256 GB.
The low price and higher storage, coupled with high-quality features, give Oculus Quest 2 a competitive advantage that no other headset is offering.
Features: Quest 2 has a higher resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye which is higher compared to Quest. It provides smooth and crisp visuals by removing the screen-door effect and avoiding pixelation.
It also enhances pixels by fixing the foveated rendering through the use of the Snapdragon XR2 processor. Moreover, it has a built-in spatial audio system that allows you to cut the hassle of plugging in headphones. However, a 3.5mm jack is also present.
Furthermore, it consists of a Qualcomm XR2 chip that provides impressive graphics. It has also upgraded its refresh rate from 72Hz of Quest to 120Hz for some apps and games of Quest 2.
Controllers: This revamp of the Quest headset has also seen improvements in its controllers. It has a more ergonomic design for thumb rest so that you do not get tired after long hours of gameplay.
Each controller has a baton-like handle that includes triggers for your grips and forefingers as well as movement sticks and facial buttons for your thumbs. A plastic ring surrounds your fingers that covers LEDs that track your finger and hand movements.
The controllers have AA rechargeable batteries that can last up to a few months, but the controller works longer on a single battery.
VR Content: All the apps supported by Oculus Quest will be compatible with Quest 2 and some apps will have backward compatibility with the original Quest. Quest 2 had a very large library of VR content at its launch, which has grown progressively.
Oculus Quest 2 supports some of the best apps and games that provide a very immersive experience. Their innovative ideas are showcased yearly through the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase, which is a delightful step towards the expansion of virtual reality.
Specifications: This headset has the following specifications:
- 10.24 x 7.36 x 4.96 inches dimensions
- 1.83 pounds weight
- Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset
- 1832 x 1920 per eye display
- 64GB, 256GB storage
- 6GB RAM
- Snapdragon 835 processor
- 4 AA batteries included
- Built-in audio
- USB 3.0 cable
- Built-in microphone
- Comfortable and sleek design
- Huge game library
- Intuitive movement controllers
- Relatively affordable price
- Built-in spatial audio
- Easy to use
- Short battery life
- IPD settings are preset
- Facebook required
Best Standalone VR Headset
The Oculus Quest 2 renamed as the Meta Quest 2 is a very impressive VR headset because it provides high-quality resolution and visuals along with integrated spatial audio. It also provides precision tracking with the help of its intuitive hand controllers.
Buyer’s Guide
When you are choosing a mid-range VR headset, then you need to be careful about the features and value that you will receive because these headsets are slightly more expensive than lower-range headsets.
Here are some of the factors you should keep in consideration before purchasing a VR headset:
Pricing
The price of a VR headset is essential for any individual.
When you are looking for a medium-ranged price tag, make sure that you do not exceed your budget when looking for good-quality features. There are very high chance you might choose a more expensive headset.
There are many relatively inexpensive VR headset that provides a lot of value and are actually leading the industry with their cost-competitive features such as the Oculus Quest headsets.
Features
An important factor to consider are the features that the headset offers because they will add value to your VR experience. Features such as refresh rates, resolution per eye, audio quality, and the display will determine the level of immersion you will experience.
Controllers
The controllers of a headset heavily determine your experience because it provides tracking with accuracy and precision. The non-accurate tracking of your movements can break immersion and create virtual lagging that can also cause motion sickness.
VR Content
Most VR platforms have huge libraries of VR content support that include apps and games, such as the Oculus Quest platform, which hosts hundreds of apps and games that are very immersive and compatible with its intuitive controllers.
Specifications
The specifications of a VR headset include its dimensions of size and weight which determine how comfortable it will be for you.
Moreover, its storage space, processor, additional features, and visual support are important specifications to consider since they will contribute to an immersive experience.
Wrapping Things Up
We conclude our post on the Google Daydream View VR headset here. This post consists of all that you need to know about this headset, along with some of its best alternatives.
The Daydream View headset is a good headset for beginners. It is highly affordable, has adjustable lenses for better eye comfort, and allows you to wear glasses with the headset. However, it only supports Google smartphones and compromises on a lot of quality features.
One of our options for the Daydream View headset is the Samsung Gear VR headset because these viewers are direct competitors. Therefore, they share many of the same features. This means that while the Gear VR is affordable, it might not be able to provide a lot of value.
Our top choice is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset because not only is it affordable, it offers a lot of quality features and a full-immersive experience. It leads the industry with its intuitive motion controllers and provides quality visual fidelity.
Let us know if you have any other queries regarding our top contenders.
