Virtual reality has become quite popular over the last couple of years. Nowadays, almost everyone owns at least one virtual reality headset. If you don’t already have one, now might be the time to invest in one or turn your phone into one.
In this article, we will tell you how to turn your phone into a VR headset.
How to Turn Your Phone Into a VR Headset?
To turn your phone into a VR headset, you will need to follow these steps
- Download the app from Google Play or App Store
- Open the app and connect your smartphone to the device
- Now select the mode of the device that you want to use as a headset
- You can now enjoy the virtual reality experience on your smartphone
- The best part is that this method doesn’t require any additional hardware
- So if you are looking for an easy way to enjoy virtual reality without buying expensive equipment, then this is the right option for you
This method works only for Android devices.
How to Choose the Right VR Kit?
When choosing a VR headset, one of the most important things to consider is which type of VR kit works best for your needs. Here are some of the best options available.
Google Cardboard
It is considered one of the most affordable solutions for virtual reality available today. All you have to do is plug your smartphone into the headset and follow some simple steps to get started.
With Google Cardboard, you’ll be able to enjoy immersive 360-video content available for it. An interesting fact is no matter which smartphone device you’re currently working with, Google Cardboard makes it possible.
Samsung Gear VR
If you’re using a relatively new Samsung phone, it’s strongly recommended to use the Samsung Gear VR instead of Google Cardboard. It’s far superior in both sophistication and overall performance.
It is a very convenient headset for most people who own a smartphone. It is also quite affordable, currently selling for about $100. If you have a decent phone, you can definitely buy one.
LG 360 VR
Despite being less well-known than the Samsung Gear VR, LG’s 360 VR headset has some interesting advantages.
It is very limited since it only works with one smartphone. It has very poor reviews and is not recommended. Even if you own an LG G5, you should probably get Google Cardboard instead.
How to Choose a Good VR Phone?
It is obvious that if you want to use smartphones to get into virtual reality, then you need to have a good-quality device. However, if you’re planning to purchase a new phone for your virtual reality experiences, try to choose the newest one.
Because virtual reality is an extremely new concept and older phones may not be compatible with virtual reality headsets, you might not be able to download virtual reality apps onto them. So, always get the newest version.
Besides that, it is also advisable to try to get a phone from such a manufacturer as your headset if possible, for example, if you are wearing Samsung Gear VR then you need to use the latest Samsung smartphone.
If you already own an Android smartphone, you don’t need to buy a separate headset for virtual reality. You can use your phone instead. However, if you want to experience virtual reality without using your phone, you may need to purchase a dedicated headset.
What Are the Best VR Headsets?
There are many different types of VR headsets on the market. Some are more advanced than others, but they all work similarly. They allow you to view 3D images or videos through their lenses.
The main difference between these headsets is how they connect to your smartphone. Most of them use Bluetooth technology, while others use Wi-Fi or USB connections.
Here are some of the top VR headsets:
Google Cardboard
This is by far the cheapest option out there. It uses a cardboard frame to hold your smartphone. The headset connects to your phone via Bluetooth.
You can easily find this type of headset at any store that sells mobile devices. It costs around $10-$15.
Samsung Gear VR (Gear)
This is the official virtual reality headset for Samsung Galaxy S6/S7/Note 5/Note 6/S8/S9/S10/S11/S12/S13/S14/S5/S6 Edge/S7 Edge/S8/S8+/S9/S9+. It is much better than Google Cardboard because it comes with its own controller.
It is sold separately from the phone. This means that you will need to spend another $99 for the headset.
HTC Vive
This is the first high-end virtual reality headset available today. It is made by HTC. It requires two PCs to operate. One PC serves as the display and the other PC acts as the controller.
Both PCs must be connected to each other via HDMI cables. The cost of this headset is about $800.
Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is the most expensive virtual reality headset available today, costing over $600. It is made by Facebook’s Oculus division.
It is similar to the HTC Vive in terms of setup requirements. But unlike the HTC Vive, it does not require two computers. Instead, it uses just one computer.
However, it still needs two monitors to function properly.
PSVR
Sony PlayStation VR is a virtual reality headset developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released in October 2016.
It works with PS4 consoles only. It has a price tag of $400.
Vive Focus Plus
Vive Focus Plus is a wireless virtual reality headset. It is designed specifically for gaming purposes. It is priced at $200.
Which Virtual Reality Headset Should I Buy?
When buying a virtual reality headset, you should consider what kind of content you plan to watch. If you want to play games, go for the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.
But if you prefer watching movies or TV shows, the Samsung Gear VR is probably the best choice.
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy virtual reality without spending too much money, then Google Cardboard is the best solution.
If you want to experience virtual reality without having to pay extra for a dedicated headset, then the Google Cardboard is the best option.
If you are willing to spend a little bit more, then the Samsung Gear VR is the best option. And finally, if you have the budget, then the HTC Vive or Oculus is the best option.
We hope that this article was helpful. If you have any queries feel free to reach out in the comments section below.