VR headsets for iPhone
VR for Mac is still some way away, but iOS users have a few options. Lewis Painter rounds up your choices
Mobile VR may not be quite the premium experience that expensive virtual reality headsets provide, but it offers a way for mobile users to experience VR on a budget. Instead of featuring high-resolution displays, sensors and powerful internals in the virtual reality headset, mobile VR relies on your iPhone to provide the display, sensors and brains of the VR, while the job of the headset is to provide special VR lenses and a way to hold your iPhone.
The idea is that you’ll load up a VR-enabled app on your iPhone, then slot it into the headset and put it on your head. The app then uses the myriad of sensors already available on the iPhone to replicate your head movements, allowing you to look around a virtual environment. Of course, only using smartphone sensors means that it won’t be quite as responsive as premium VR and you may experience a slight lag when turning your head, but it shouldn’t be enough to induce motion sickness (an issue that VR manufacturers had to overcome in early development).
Not all mobile VR headsets are budget though; Samsung famously manufactured the Gear VR, which is powered by Oculus, the company behind the hugely popular (and Facebook owned) Oculus Rift. The company uses Oculus technology to provide a more premium VR experience and coupled with the QHD displays of its flagship Galaxy series and a generally well-built, comfortable headset, it provides a great mobile virtual reality experience. The only issue is that the Gear VR is only compatible with Galaxy S6/S6 Edge or newer devices, so iOS users are out of luck. There are other alternatives though, which we discuss below.
If you’re stuck for VR app ideas, there’s a variety VR-enabled apps already on the App Store, including the likes of Sisters, a relatively short but scary VR experience and Vangard V, a single level space-shooter. Most VR apps are free, but you may come across a handful of paid, premium experiences too – we’ve listed our favourite VR apps for iPhone on page 59.
Google Cardboard Price: £5.29
The cheapest way to experience VR on an iPhone is using Google Cardboard. As you can probably guess by the name, it is primarily made from cardboard, and the instructions on how to build it yourself can be found at tinyurl.com/zvLzpw2. It requires you to source parts like lenses yourself, but these can be easily found online or in high street shops. You can build your own, but if that isn’t your style, you’ll be glad to know that you can also buy pre-built headsets cheaply – we found it on Amazon for just £5.29. All you need to do is fold the cardboard.
Of course, being made from cardboard, it isn’t the most comfortable headset to wear, especially over long periods of time. It’s a good starting point for mobile VR users, but if you find yourself still wanting to use VR after the initial novelty has worn off, it may be worth investing in a slightly more expensive (but more comfortable) option.
Homido VR Price: £47
The Homido VR headset is a good option for iOS users that want a more premium mobile VR experience. The headset is designed with comfort in mind, with soft padding to stop your skin becoming irritated when wearing it, while also doubling up as a comfortable way to combat light leakage. It also has a 100-degree field of view thanks to its specially designed lenses, which should help provide a more immersive VR experience. As well as this, it offers controls that let you adjust the distance between the lenses, as everybody has a slightly different facial shape.
It’s great if you wear glasses too, as you can adjust the distance between your eyes and the smartphone. It comes with three options to toggle between – far sighted, near sighted and normal vision. The Homido Center app for iOS features a catalogue of VR-enabled apps available at your fingertips including games and experiences.
Merge VR Price: £69
If you’re looking for something a little fancier, the Merge VR headset may be a good option, fitting the vast majority of iPhones and other smartphones on the market. The Merge VR is a funky looking purple VR headset that offers a sturdier and comfortable experience with ventilation ports and a flexible and extremely comfortable foam body.
The interesting feature of the Merge VR headset is that it includes two buttons on the top of the headset, allowing you to interact with compatible VR apps – this may be used to fire a weapon, toggle different viewing modes, and so on. It also features camera access, allowing the Merge VR headset to be used with augmented reality apps too. The company is also due to release the HOLO CUBE later this year, offering augmented reality capabilities.
Carl Zeiss VR One Price: $99 (around £74)
The Carl Zeiss VR One headset is another VR headset that utilises the technology in your smartphone to provide you with a virtual experience. The headset comes with a tray that you slot your phone into, and that slots into the headset itself – you can choose from either the iPhone 6, Galaxy S5 or S6 phone tray when ordering, with the company providing CAD files for you to design and 3D print your own for use with other phones. The headset includes vents that stop the lenses from fogging up and provides an FOV of around 100 degrees.
The VR One also features a see-through front shield, allowing the use of smartphone cameras in augmented reality (AR) apps available for iOS and Android. The performance and graphics vary depending on the power and resolution of your smartphone, so take that into consideration before handing over your money.