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Google’s VR platform, Daydream, is finally going mainstream as more and more smartphone manufacturers have now pledged to offer the Daydream support to their flagship handsets. The most awaited and exciting announcement comes recently from the Korean smartphone, Samsung!
Samsung has officially announced that its 2017 flagship handsets, the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+ are now 100% Daydream-ready. This means that the two are first-of-its-kind handsets which will be compatible with the two major mobile VR platforms – Dear VR and Daydream View.
The Daydream-ready update is rolling out now to @SamsungMobile Galaxy S8 and S8+. Explore new worlds with #Daydream. https://t.co/KaRNJEcURi pic.twitter.com/PEeC6RfyyZ
— Google VR (@googlevr) July 31, 2017
Earlier this year, during the launch of Galaxy S8 and S8+ handsets, we talked about how these two flagship killers can make the best smartphones for an awesome mobile VR Porn experience. However, in addition to Samsung, there are many other handset manufacturing companies who have recently announced the Daydream support for their flagship handsets. Let’s take a look at all the handsets that offer the Daydream support, currently.
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
Image credit: Samsung
These two handsets need no introduction as such. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ comes with a big 5.8inch and 6.2inch screen respectively. Both these handsets offer a 2960 x 1440 Quad HD+ Super AMOLED resolution and are capable enough to run immersive-rich 4K quality videos.
Both these handsets are powered with a 64-bit Snapdragon 835 octa-core CPU (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad) and deliver smooth and flawless VR experience. In and all, these two are the most high-powered mobile VR engines for the Daydream View VR headsets.
Google Pixel and Pixel XL
Image credit: Google
Google’s own Pixel branded handsets were the first device to receive the Daydream support. Unveiled back in October 2016, these two handsets are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset, the best in the line then. Both these handsets come with immersive-rich AMOLED displays with the Google Pixel having a 1080 x 1920 resolution with 441 ppi pixel density and the Pixel XL having a 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution and 534 ppi pixel density.
Huawei Mate 9 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 9
Image credit: Huawei
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei came with its Mate 9 Pro Daydream-ready handset that comes with the company’s own Hisilicon Kirin 960 chipset and delivers enough processing power to drive smooth daydream-VR experience.
The Mate 9 Pro comes with a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution and 534 ppi density.
Motorola Moto Z and Moto Z Force
Image credit: Motorola
Previously a Google company, Motorola has two handsets up its sleeves which are compatible with the Daydream VR platform. Compared to what we have seen above, these handsets are a bit on the lower side when it comes to machine power and hosts the earlier Snapdragon 820 chipset onboard. Both these handsets come with a 1440 x 2560 pixel AMOLED display having a 534 ppi density.
The good thing about these handsets is that it offers the flexibility of adding up mods and some 360 cameras which are designed specifically for the Z family and are expected to arrive with the Moto Z2 Force. If you are a Moto fan, at this point, it would be better to wait for the arrival of Moto Z2 Force which will be hosting the more recent and powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset onboard.
Asus Zenfone AR
Image credit: Asus
This particular handset offers the best and interesting features of augmented and virtual reality. The Asus Zenfone AR has been built in collaboration with Google Tango and is the first smartphone to offer support for both – Tango and Daydream platform.
This handset hosts the Snapdragon 821 SoC and comes with a 5.7inch super AMOLED display having a 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution and 515 ppi pixel density.
ZTE Axon 7
Image credit: ZTE
This is one handset which comes comparatively at a lower price-point in comparison to other Daydream-ready handsets. Priced at just $450, this handset packs a Snapdragon 820 SoC with a 5.5 inch AMOLED display having 1440 x 2560 resolution and 538 ppi pixel density.
Five More By the End of 2017
Apart from the six handsets mentioned above, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has announced the availability of total 11 Daydream compatible handset by the year end. This is five more handsets over and above the existing list and is expected to come from manufacturers like HTC, LG, Mi, and Alcatel.
It seems that with more manufacturers joining the Daydream platform, customers will get more options to choose from which is exactly what Google planned while launching the Daydream View headset. Moreover, Google has also slashed the price of Daydream View headsets which are now available just below $60.
im still waiting to get mine 🙁
Surprised to see Samsung supporting the Daydream platform despite it being in competition with the GearVR.
Yeah Oculus can’t be happy about that
I guess Google and Samsung has always shared a great relation with the smartphone ecosystem and so might be the reason for Samsung to consider this option… But yeah, can’t say how well his decision will go with Oculus