Virtual reality comes in various shapes and sizes, and VR-capable hardware is already ubiquitous. And in that same breath, with Smartphone technology, almost everyone’s pockets now include razor-sharp screens, powerful CPUs, and various sensors capable of acting as a display with various VR gear. That said, do you need a phone to run your VR headset out of all the VR gear available?

Not all VR headsets require a smartphone to function. For example, various VR headsets models can be used in conjunction with a powerful gaming PC or smartphone. On the other hand, standalone headsets let you access the virtual world without requiring a computer.

The fact remains that mobile VR is as important as any other VR experience since all VR experiences will lead to a better VR experience for all in the future, regardless of their form or size. With that in mind, let’s look closely at some things about VR headsets for Smartphones and what there is to know about tethered and standalone VR models.

VR Headsets For Mobile Phones

The technology behind virtual reality is constantly advancing, and due to VR headsets for phones, these vistas are no longer limited to consoles and PC.

You won’t need a phone if you utilize connected or independent VR headsets with built-in display devices that primarily use PCs. Likewise, a smartphone will be helpful only if you use a VR designed for Smartphones, also known as Mobile VR, which will only work if you attach a phone inside and utilize its display as your view.

So if you want to get into the world of VR mobile gaming, you’ve come to the right spot; you need to know more about your alternatives.

To help you get the most out of your virtual reality gaming, you should familiarize yourself with some of the top VR headsets for phones that suit a variety of phone models, gameplay styles, and, most importantly, price.

There are hundreds of mobile VR games to explore, ranging from zombie games to shooters to puzzle games to party games, and with the correct equipment, you’re more likely to get the most out of the experience.

Some VR headsets are intended exclusively for usage with mobile phones, while others are cross-platform compatible. Some provide a low-cost choice for gamers on a tight budget, while others are more expensive, quality solutions.

If you acquire one, you have a lot to look forward to (Just be sure to move any large fixtures out of the way first). That said, some of the most well-known VR headsets for smartphones are as follows:

Samsung Gear VR Headset

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Samsung’s Gear VR is one of the last few remaining actual mobile VR headsets. Simply put your smartphone into the gadget to enjoy several games and a plethora of 360-degree films.

The issue with the Samsung Gear VR is that it only works with Samsung smartphones, rendering it ineffective for individuals who own a handset from a different manufacturer. It’s also useless if you leave the Samsung ecosystem. Worse, now that Samsung has begun to phase out support for the platform, even newer Samsung phones may be incompatible.

The headset is compatible with a few devices, including the Galaxy S9 series, the Galaxy Note 9, and most previous Samsung flagships. It is, however, incompatible with current Samsung devices. Samsung appears to be leaving virtual reality for the time being since it no longer sells the Gear VR – but it may still be found secondhand or through a select merchant.

If you have a Samsung phone, there’s a good chance it’ll be compatible, but it’s always worth double-checking with the Samsung website. The Samsung Gear VR comes in various variants, each compatible with a particular phone model.

Google Cardboard VR Headset

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The Google Cardboard is a VR experience for beginners that knows it’s a virtual reality experience for beginners. This VR is constructed of, well, cardboard and starts at a low price. If you feel a bit crafty and want to save money, you can even make one yourself.

Of course, the Google Cardboard has its advantages and disadvantages. First, the good news: Google Cardboard is inexpensive, the technology is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones, and there is a wealth of content accessible.

It’s also dead easy. You install the Cardboard app, place your phone in a cardboard viewer outfitted with magnification lenses, watch a sample session to get the feel of it, and then browse the Google Play Store’s Cardboard section to extend your VR collection. The majority of Google Cardboard titles are free. The rest are inexpensive.

But here’s where Google Cardboard falls short: as impressive as the platform is, it’s not the best indicator of what makes VR so thrilling. The inexpensive cardboard viewers are not very comfortable. However, it may be worth it for many just to get a peek at VR.

In terms of compatibility, Google Cardboard has been designed to operate with phones measuring up to 3.5 by 6 inches, so if you quickly measure your phone, you’ll be able to establish whether or not it will function with it.

Merge VR/AR Headset

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The Merge VR/AR headsets are ideal virtual reality equipment for youngsters. The Merge VR headset is lightweight, robust, and simple to use. All you need to do, like with other mobile VR headsets, is plug your smartphone into the slot and dive in.

Merge AR/VR headsets, designed to be worn by anybody over the age of 10, can assist in uncovering many exciting and instructive experiences.

Several apps are built expressly for use with a Merge headset that allows children to explore a range of virtual worlds, such as the Merge Miniverse, which allows users to soar through the solar system or wander through the ancient world of dinosaurs.

To use the Merge apps, you must have a smartphone that runs Apple IOS 11/Android 8 or above. Regarding what will fit inside the headset, the Merge website recommends using a Galaxy S8 or newer, an iPhone 8 or newer, an LG G4 or newer, an HTC M9 or newer, or a Google Pixel.

BNext VR Headset

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While the other headsets described in this guide are still compatible with Apple devices (and this one is compatible with Android smartphones), the BNext VR headsets are ideal for Apple. In addition, this headset has FD and OD adjustments, which may give users a vast field of vision.

In addition, it has an eyesight protection system, a soft nose piece, and an adjustable head strap to keep you comfortable even during lengthy play sessions.

BNext VR headsets are designed to work with any phone with a 4 to 6.3-inch screen, which includes nearly every type of smartphone. It covers the iPhone X, XR, XS, 8 and 8 Plus, 9 and 9 Plus, 10, 7 and 7 Plus, and various additional models.

These are only five recommendations, but we hope they have made it simpler for you to select the finest VR mobile headset. In addition, games like VR Space Stalker, InMind VR, and many more VR games for iOS can be played with the BNext VR Headset.

Standalone VR Headsets

Playing a video game in virtual reality is the only thing more thrilling than playing one on a large screen. Because it’s virtually difficult to match the level of immersion offered by VR, every player needs a headset. However, specific VR headsets need a pricey, powerful computer to function, and some people don’t have that choice.

Thankfully, there are standalone VR headsets available. Standalone headsets are nothing more than just a headset. Although Smartphone VR headsets often fall in the same category, true Standalone VR headsets have all the built-in hardware for the magic to happen. There are no connections; computers, consoles, and Smartphones are not required, or anything else but a VR headset.

With that in mind, the following is an excellent example of a standalone VR headset.

Oculus/Meta Quest 2

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The Oculus/Meta Quest 2 is one of the most incredible VR headsets overall. When most people think of virtual reality, this is likely to be one of the first headsets that come to mind. As a result, it’s easy to see how this became so popular with its simple control scheme and rich 3D cinematic sound system.

Furthermore, if you’re searching for a low-cost all-around standalone VR headset, the Oculus Quest 2 is the way to go. This robust headset allows you to turn off all distractions and drown yourself in the entertainment world, whether you want to use it for gaming or streaming.

Standalone headsets like the Oculus/Meta Quest 2 are also in high demand as VR technology shifts toward more standalone devices that require no extra connections to enjoy immersing into the realm of VR.

However, regarding graphics quality, standalone headsets, such as the Quest 2, do not provide cutting-edge graphics compared to PC or console tethered headsets since they draw power from external graphics cards and other hardware.

On the other hand, the Quest 2 is compatible with mobile phones despite not being expressly developed for use with them. Indeed, the Oculus Quest 2 runs on Android, which means it is compatible with most mobile phones. So if you have a phone with Android 5.0+ or Apple iOS 10+, you can download the Oculus app, and you’re good to go.

Tethered VR Headsets

Tethered headsets are more sophisticated and contain several built-in functions that distinguish them from mobile headsets. For starters, they do not require the usage of a mobile device. Instead, each has a connector that connects to your computer or game console.

Tethered headsets, on the other hand, are the more powerful choice, allowing users to share their activity with others and enjoy higher-end graphics. In addition, because tethered VR headsets use more powerful graphics cards and other PC and console technology, they can produce more visuals in greater detail than existing mobile and standalone VR headsets.

Furthermore, they are more comfortable on your face and block out more of your external world, completely immersing you in the experience. Because of the higher-quality images and displays, tethered headsets generate less motion sickness. Although any VR movie may be seen, they are more commonly used in gaming. That said, the following are two examples of tethered VR headsets:

Valve Index VR Headset

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Valve’s PC-tethered VR headgear is expensive and doesn’t stand out much from the competition on paper. However, the headgear is only one component of the VR experience, and the Valve Index truly shines due to the other significant component: the controllers.

They’re groundbreaking, capable of tracking individual finger motions and making games that use the feature far more immersive than regular trigger grips on other controllers. For example, it’s incredible to see your fingers wriggle in Half-Life: Alyx.

While not highly impressive, the headset provides sharp, fluid visuals with a fast refresh rate. In addition, the system interfaces with Valve’s Steam store via SteamVR, so there’s an enormously vast library of VR games available, even if only a small percentage will use the finger support.

Because of its high performance and unique controls, this is the go-to VR headset for PC gamers, so if you’re new to VR on PC, start with this one. Suppose you already own a SteamVR-compatible headset and base station, such as the HTC Vive, Vive Pro 2, or Vive Cosmos Elite (not the regular Cosmos).

In that case, you may purchase the controllers for $280 to upgrade your VR experience without investing in the entire Valve Index system.

PlayStation VR Headset

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The PlayStation VR is becoming old. It was released in October 2016 for the PlayStation 4 and employs motion controllers from 2010, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering if you possess a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.

After all, if you already have one of those systems, it doesn’t require any more hardware – though if you want to use it with your PS5, you’ll need to request a free adapter from Sony for the required, and included in PS VR bundles, PlayStation Camera to operate.

Sony supported its development and has amassed a significant catalog of games, including PS VR titles such as Moss, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted, Rez Infinite, and Until Dawn: Rush of Blood.

Many games may be played without motion controls using the DualShock 4 or DualSense. However, if you prefer two-handed motion controls, remember that the aforementioned 12-year-old PlayStation Move controllers may not be included with PS VR bundles, so it would be best to read the product description.

Furthermore, it is for PlayStation fans who already own a PS4 or PS5 and want to experiment with virtual reality on those platforms. PS5 users may want to wait a little longer if they plan to make the most of it. Sony is developing a new PlayStation VR system called PlayStation VR2, to be released hopefully in early 2023.

Conclusion

As you can see, not all VR devices require a phone to operate. Although many mobile VR headsets are available and games and apps to explore, some VR headsets also include their own standalone technology and PC and console tethered devices. Today, various VR headset types are available for every playstyle and use case to take you to a whole new level of immersion.

References

Note: Grammarly has flagged the title as plagiaristic. To achieve the best SEO results, the client should tweak the title.

https://www.quora.com/Do-all-VR-headsets-need-a-phone

https://www.wired.com/2016/03/everything-need-know-buying-vr-headset/

https://www.coolblue.be/en/advice/what-do-i-need-for-virtual-reality.html

https://www.gearbrain.com/11-questions-virtual-reality-headsets-1635372294.html