It’s a bit hard to believe, but the iPhone still doesn’t have a dedicated virtual reality headset made by Apple. Its fiercest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy, has the Gear VR headset and some modern Android phones come with support for Google’s Daydream VR platform.
That, however, does not mean that users of the Apple smartphone have to feel left out – iOS users can still use a VR headset with an iPhone. The good news is that there are a lot of affordable VR headsets on the market that are compatible with the iPhone.
Mobile VR headsets cannot compare with real VR headsets like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive or the PlayStation VR because smartphone processing power just isn’t able to provide that level of graphical fidelity.
However, they are a great way to test the VR waters and encourage interested users to jump the VR bandwagon.
What Is Mobile VR?
Virtual reality has existed for desktop computer users for a couple of years now. Mobile VR is still in relative infancy and due to the limited processing power of smartphones, cannot offer a comparable experience.
Desktop VR headsets come with high-resolution displays, powerful internal hardware and require incredible processing power to drive them.
Mobile VR depends on the smartphone (iPhone or otherwise) to provide the display, controls and the processing for the VR.
These headsets are nothing more than a couple of special lenses enclosed in a headset that is responsible for holding a smartphone against your face.
The VR-ready apps on your iPhone will depend on the smartphone to provide input. This input will mainly come from the built-in sensors which will help track movements of the head, which will translate into actions in the virtual reality.
Smartphone sensors aren’t the best way to track head movements, as they’re not purpose-built for this. So it’s natural to experience some lag when turning your head. This shouldn’t be considered a deal breaker as its present in all smartphone VR headsets.
How to Use VR Headset With an iPhone?
The first thing you’ll need before experiencing VR with your iPhone is, obviously, a virtual reality headset. We have covered some of the best headsets available for the iPhone later in the article. Once you’ve decided on a headset, you’ll need a VR-enabled app.
A few of the better VR apps on the App Store include Sisters, a VR experience intended for horror fans, and the official Google Cardboard app.
The Cardboard app provides a neat introduction to the world of mobile VR and has some demos that will show you what to expect from mobile VR. These aren’t difficult experiences but will definitely pique your interest.
Once you’ve got the VR app installed on your iPhone, simply place the phone in the VR headset and hold the headset against your eyes.
Stare into the lenses, and you will be greeted with a VR environment that should, hopefully, be able to respond to your head movements.
Feel free to look around and explore, that’s the whole point of VR!
The best VR headsets for an iPhone
Xiaomi Mi VR Play
The Xiaomi Mi VR Play, at just $15, is the cheapest VR headset you can get for your iPhone. If you have a fleeting interest in VR and aren’t sure whether it’s for you, this provides an excellent way to test the waters.
This is a budget headset so you can’t expect much from it. It will house your iPhone and provide you with a reasonable VR viewing experience.
The Mi VR Play is available in a variety of exciting styles, but that doesn’t matter here.
It is a basic VR headset that is meant to be a sort of gateway into the world of mobile VR. It’s compatible with smartphones that have screens between 4.7 and 5.7 inches. That includes all of the recent iPhone models, bar the iPhone SE.
Price: $15
Google Cardboard
The Google Cardboard, as the name so accurately puts it, has a cardboard construction. It’s one of the cheapest possible ways to get a VR headset from a known company (Chinese VR headsets can cost as little as $1.99).
The cardboard comes fully deconstructed. However, Google provides instructions on how to set it up on their website. One thing to note is that you’ll still have to get the lenses yourself.
You can find these lenses quite cheap on Amazon.
Due to the cardboard frame, this isn’t the most comfortable VR headset on the market – you wouldn’t want to wear this for more than 20 minutes.
However, the Cardboard remains a reasonable starting point for iPhone owners interested in the VR experience. It’s also a great way to gauge whether VR is something you’d want to invest in later on.
Price: $15
Mattel View-Master DLX VR (2nd Gen)
The Mattel View-Master DLX VR was being sold through Apple stores but later discontinued. You can still pick these up from elsewhere, however, at a price somewhere around $20. And that’s what makes these worth looking into.
Where the not-much-cheaper Cardboard requires you to assemble it and buy your lenses, the View-Master is ready for VR duties.
The headset also has a distinctive look that makes it more appealing than the Cardboard. It comes with support for multiple sizes of the iPhone (with adaptors for the iPhone 5 family) and a headphone input port.
Price: $18.99
Merge VR Goggles
The Merge VR Goggles use a foam-based construction to provide a more comfortable experience than other plastic headsets.
Not only does this type of structure allow for a comfortable fit, but it also makes the Goggles incredibly light. The lightweight is beneficial in that it does not put any burden on your head.
The Goggles also feature an adjustable head strap that will fit anyone between the ages of 10 upwards. The lenses are flexible and can accommodate both the regular and Plus iPhone models. The new iPhone X won’t be a problem for this headset either.
One of the more exciting features of this headset is the presence of two buttons on top which allow the user to interact with compatible VR apps. They can be used to open doors, fire weapons or interact with a variety of elements in the VR environment.
Price: $49.99
Carl Zeiss VR One Plus
The Carl Zeiss VR One Plus lies on the higher end of the smartphone VR headset market. Priced around $100, this certainly isn’t a cheap investment as the VR One Plus aims to provide a premium smartphone VR experience.
The headset comes with two adjustable, stretchy head straps that keep it in place while providing the perfect amount of fit and comfort. The headset rests on your face through a foam lining for a soft feel which means more extended viewing sessions.
The premium price of this headset is reflected in its design as well.
Although it’s impossible not to look silly while wearing a VR headset, at least with this the hardware – it isn’t an eye-sore. The headset also incorporates vents, a design feature intended to dissipate heat so the lenses won’t get fogged up.
Most smartphones between 4.7 and 5.5 inches will fit the VR One Plus. That leaves out the older iPhone 5/5S and recent iPhone SE model.
The VR One Plus features a transparent front shield, which opens up possibilities of using this for augmented reality apps.
Price: $99.99
Final Words
Mobile VR represents an excellent opportunity for you to use your iPhone in a whole new way.
Sure, mobile VR isn’t as impressive as desktop or console VR experiences, but it’s still worth looking into.
Headsets like the View-Master and Google Cardboard are incredibly affordable and provide a great way to use a VR headset with an iPhone.
If you own an iPhone and have the slightest interest in VR, buy any one of these, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the experience they deliver.
Leave a Reply