If the idea of investing thousands of euros split between a headset and a computer capable of meeting its requirements destroys your hopes of accessing virtual reality, you should know that the Red Giant of the East is responding with a new series of “all-in-one” solutions that add the typical hardware of a smartphone to a pair of goggles, and use Android to deploy their virtual experience. Do you want to give it a try? Here are four suggestions.
I’ll start with a delicate statement: I don’t think virtual reality is ready for general consumption. The two most advanced options, the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, remain at a considerable distance from the rest not only because of their price but also because of their final quality. The vast majority of the virtual reality goggles or headsets I’ve found online are little more than plastic reproductions of Google Cardboard, and the smartphone has to do all the work. The direct alternative to that is manifested in the “all-in-one goggles”, which incorporate hardware very similar to that of a mobile device and use a variant of Android as the operating system. We all know that the true relationship between Android and virtual reality will be seen starting with version 7.0 Nougat, and even then it will require the support of several manufacturers, not to mention a notable increase in specifications. But if you really can’t wait, and you want to explore the “Wild West” of virtual reality now, here are four options to take the first step:
Magicsee M1
I have found at least four distributors offering this virtual headset under a different name, but at the same time, that makes it one of the most popular options. Whoever decides to cross swords with the Magicsee M1 will find a quad-core Rockchip RK3288 SoC at 1.8 GHz accompanied by 2 GB of RAM, and although the hardware has 4K support, the maximum resolution is 1080p. The software platform is Nibiru, a variant based on Android 5.1. 16 GB of internal storage, a slot for cards up to 64 GB, and three hours of battery life close the package. (180 euros)
Arealer VR SKY
Also known as VR SKY CX, this model seeks to raise the stakes a bit through its hardware. The resolution is 1080p and its battery life remains at 3 hours, but with an Allwinner H8 Octa-Core chip at 2 GHz, the Arealer VR SKY manages to increase its refresh rate to 70 Hz and offer a field of view of 100 degrees. Once again, Nibiru-Android 5.1 is the operating system chosen by the manufacturer, and with a weight of 400 grams, it shouldn’t be particularly tiring to use for as long as its battery allows. (180 euros)
Uvistar VR One
It’s likely that you’ll find this device under the brand “Omimo” on other portals like Aliexpress; however, the overall structure of the headset remains intact: easy access to its connectors, a good number of accessories, including a remote control, an octa-core Allwinner H8 SoC, 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal storage, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and an expansion slot for cards. The curious thing is that the model is advertised with Android KitKat 4.4.4. It all depends on the manufacturer’s settings, but that difference could (or could not) translate into better performance. (250 euros)
DeePoon M2
Spending a fortune, throwing caution to the wind… I think you get the idea. Besides closing our list, the DeePoon M2 is the most expensive entry, for several reasons. Its AMOLED screen supports 2K resolution, the hardware is based on an octa-core Samsung Exynos 7420 (4+4 configuration), it has 3 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, 70 Hz refresh rate, dual-band connectivity, Bluetooth support, replaceable facial foam… and the list goes on. Its final price makes it more expensive than the Oculus Rift in some regions, but since it doesn’t need a computer, the equation changes completely. (630 euros)
On a personal note, I must add that creating this list was a bit frustrating due to the number of repeated models. It’s not easy to talk about recommendations when the same virtual headset appears online under three or four different brands, but it’s very common with hardware coming from the East. These details also serve to recognize that the market is a bit green, and I don’t mean the “green” of Ruby Rhod, but the one that indicates a lot, a lot of work ahead. Have you bought an “all-in-one” virtual reality headset? Do you want to add your recommendation? Comments are open. Good luck!
