10 Best Smartphones for Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is always at hand - the experts at iquality.techinfus.com/en/ talk about the best smartphones that are not only compatible with the most popular VR glasses of today, but also provide the most complete immersion in the world of adventure and breathtaking beauty.
 
  Name
  Rating
  Nomination
1 Apple iPhone 12 Pro 6/512GB 4.87
The best stock of built-in memory. The thinnest case
2 Sony Xperia 5 II 8/128GB 4.71
Most effective sound
3 Google Pixel 4a 6/128GB 4.68
The easiest
4 Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 4/64GB 4.67
Best price
5 Samsung Galaxy S21 5G 8/256GB 4.59
The most up-to-date OS version. Bright novelty of the beginning of 2021
6 HONOR 30i 4/128GB 4.57
Optimal price-function ratio. Most original design
7 Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 4/64GB 4.53
Most popular model
8 Samsung Galaxy A41 4/64GB 4.51
The brightest screen
9 DOOGEE S58 Pro 6/64GB 4.49
Better autonomy
10 Samsung Galaxy S20 8/128GB 4.31
Highest screen resolution

Mobile VR is a practical answer to independent, but incredibly expensive virtual reality helmets. After all, basic glasses and a smartphone are enough for him. However, the device is not suitable for everyone. First of all, the screen size must be compatible with specific glasses, most of which are designed for a diagonal of 5.5 to 6-plus inches. Also, the smartphone must meet the minimum technical requirements:

  1. A gyroscope is a sensor that is very common among modern mobile devices and is vital for rotating the image on the screen depending on the orientation of the smartphone in space, and hence for VR.
  2. Display resolution - the higher it is, the more detailed and better the image. It is recommended to choose smartphones with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD) or more.
  3. Performance - VR requires a good processor and at least a moderate amount of RAM, as some VR applications are resource intensive.

It is also worth paying attention to the weight, battery capacity and the presence of a magnetic sensor. The latter can make the use of a smartphone and glasses more convenient, in particular, block the display when the case is closed, and sometimes control the video.

Top 10. Samsung Galaxy S20 8/128GB

Rating (2022): 4.31
Accounted for 148 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, IRecommend
Highest screen resolution

The Galaxy S20 stands out from its counterparts not only with a fairly large, but also with a very clear display. The resolution reaches as much as 3200 by 1440 pixels, and the density is 566 dpi, which provides better picture detail.

  • Average price: 53,990 rubles.
  • Country: South Korea (produced in Vietnam)
  • Screen: 6.2 inches, 3200x1440, AMOLED
  • Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 64 megapixels, front 10 megapixels
  • Weight: 163 g

One of the most visually appealing devices. Thanks to its not too heavy and perfectly balanced body, it fits comfortably in the hand. At the same time, the smartphone works quite quickly, which is not surprising with an eight-core processor and 8 GB of RAM. Good performance allows you to comfortably work with very demanding VR applications. And it doesn't matter if you want several different programs to look at virtual reality from different angles. The smartphone is equipped with 128 GB of free space and a slot with support for memory cards up to 1 TB.The only sad thing is the modest autonomy for such functionality and the fact that the Galaxy S20 can noticeably heat up under loads, and unlocking does not always work the first time.

Pros and cons
  • good speed
  • Extensive personalization options
  • Fits comfortably in the hand
  • Support for high-capacity memory cards
  • Weak battery
  • heated
  • Imperfect Unlock

Top 9. DOOGEE S58 Pro 6/64GB

Rating (2022): 4.49
Accounted for 39 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, DNS, E-catalog, Photo warehouse
Better autonomy

Smartphone S58 Pro has become a real champion in terms of battery capacity. Unlike most competitors of similar size and capabilities, the Doogee development is equipped with a 5180 mAh battery and easily holds a charge for up to two days.

  • Average price: 15,590 rubles.
  • Country: China
  • Screen: 5.71 inches, 2280x1080, IPS
  • Battery capacity: 5180 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 16 megapixels, front 16 megapixels
  • Weight: 285 g

The model is good for VR not only with a long-lasting battery, but also with excellent viewing angles. Therefore, the image is visible from any angle, although, according to reviews, there is no wow effect, since the margin of brightness is small. Performance, given the price, is excellent. The smartphone responds quickly to commands, multitasking and adequately copes with any software, which is important for a better immersion in virtual reality. In everyday life, the device will please NFC and the simplicity of contactless payments, as well as survivability. Thanks to a special rubberized shockproof body, Doogee is practically indestructible and is not even afraid of falling into a pond. But this makes it noticeably heavier than its counterparts and weakens the perceptibility of the vibration mode.

Pros and cons
  • Excellent performance
  • Wide viewing angles
  • Impact-resistant housing
  • Not afraid of diving
  • There is NFC
  • Very heavy
  • Weak vibration

Top 8. Samsung Galaxy A41 4/64GB

Rating (2022): 4.51
Accounted for 597 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, DNS
The brightest screen

Customers often praise the Galaxy A41 for its incredible amount of brightness. According to their comments, the display of this smartphone is much more colorful and spectacular than a number of analogues. Even when the brightness is reduced to a minimum, it does not seem too dim.

  • Average price: 18,870 rubles.
  • Country: South Korea (produced in Vietnam)
  • Screen: 6.1 inches, 2400x1080, AMOLED
  • Battery capacity: 3500 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 48 megapixels, front 25 megapixels
  • Weight: 152g

The Samsung smartphone successfully combines a reasonable price, decent functionality and light weight, not exceeding 152 grams. All this makes it a good choice for both VR and life. The Galaxy A41 also features a loud speaker that makes it comfortable to watch videos and listen to music on your smartphone. And the high resolution of the cameras allows Samsung to capture detailed photos. At the same time, the smartphone can be praised for the best customization options. The interface is very flexible and easily adapts to the needs of the owner. But the smartphone does not work too smoothly. There are small friezes. Another downside is the 3500 mAh battery. So you have to recharge often. Fortunately, the smartphone supports fast charging.

Pros and cons
  • Maximum customization
  • loud speaker
  • fast charging
  • Ease
  • High resolution photo
  • Not the smoothest job
  • Low battery capacity

Top 7. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 4/64GB

Rating (2022): 4.53
Accounted for 1602 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, IRecommend
Most popular model

One of the few smartphones that received not hundreds, but thousands of reviews. Even within just 4 resources, it has garnered over 1,600 reviews.Such popularity is easily explained. At a moderate price, Note 7 pleases with the current OS and decent hardware.

  • Average price: 12,151 rubles.
  • Country: China
  • Screen: 6.3 inches, 2340x1080, IPS
  • Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 48 megapixels, front 13 megapixels
  • Weight: 186g

Despite the very affordable price, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphone received a number of advantages, including a bright and clear screen with a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels. This is very good for a smartphone cheaper than 15 thousand rubles and allows you to fully enjoy the VR image. The device is also good with support for the 4G LTE-A communication standard, which provides faster data transfer, and the ability to install a memory card up to 256 GB. Also, the smartphone is often praised for the camera with decent photo detail and realistic colors. The only thing missing is NFC. But on the other hand, the Redmi Note 7 model is compatible with most virtual reality glasses for Android and, according to reviews, is perfectly optimized.

Pros and cons
  • Great screen for the money
  • Photo quality
  • Support 4G LTE-A
  • Slot for capacious memory cards
  • No NFC support

Top 6. HONOR 30i 4/128GB

Rating (2022): 4.57
Accounted for 822 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, DNS, M.Video
Optimal price-function ratio

Despite the price acceptable for a sufficiently productive smartphone and a convenient thin body, the device boasts not only the most basic options, but also NFC, a built-in FM transmitter, and some other additions.

Most original design

This smartphone is remarkable not only for its filling, but also for its original style. The Honor 30i comes in iconic colors such as Icelandic Frost pink-blue gradient and noble Phantom Blue with a unique combination of dark and light.

  • Average price: 15,990 rubles.
  • Country: China
  • Screen: 6.3 inches, 2400x1080, OLED
  • Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 48 megapixels, front 16 megapixels
  • Weight: 172g

According to many users, the development of Honor is really worth the money. The smartphone is often praised for a juicy screen with excellent color reproduction and a resolution of 2400 by 1080 pixels, decent cameras, good performance and generally quick response of everything, including a fingerprint scanner, which also recognizes the owner quite accurately. At the same time, the smartphone received something that many competitors with a similar price are deprived of - an NFC sensor. Therefore, Honor will come in handy for those who like to pay for purchases contactlessly through a mobile application. However, due to the lack of services, Google will have to deal with Honor's proprietary virtual wallet, which means that it will not always be clear to master peculiar settings.

Pros and cons
  • juicy screen
  • Nimble
  • There is NFC
  • Decent cameras
  • Fast Scanner
  • Lack of Google services
  • Complex contactless payment settings

Top 5. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G 8/256GB

Rating (2022): 4.59
Accounted for 532 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, IRecommend
Most up-to-date OS version

While many manufacturers force users to be content with outdated operating systems that are not always compatible with modern virtual reality glasses, the Samsung Galaxy S21 pleases with the latest Android 11.

Bright novelty of the beginning of 2021

Having appeared on sale in February 2021, this smartphone in the shortest possible time earned hundreds of positive reviews and entered many expert reviews, becoming one of the most recognizable novelties in a recognizable design and fashionable shades.

  • Average price: 67,000 rubles.
  • Country: South Korea (produced in Vietnam)
  • Screen: 6.2 inches, 2400x1080, Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 64 megapixels, front 10 megapixels
  • Weight: 171g

The smartphone is considered one of the best both in appearance and convenience of the case, and in terms of filling. Samsung is praised for multitasking and speed, which is not surprising with an octa-core processor with a frequency of 2900 MHz and 8 GB of RAM. Support for 5G provides access to ultra-fast Internet, which is useful when using VR platforms. At the same time, the smartphone takes great photos and is rich in add-ons, including wireless charging, DLNA for transferring video content to other devices, and ANT + technology that allows you to connect to sports equipment and sensors. But the Samsung microSD slot beloved by many is deprived, its bundle is limited to a cable, and the screen, according to reviews, is easy to scratch.

Pros and cons
  • 5G support
  • Work speed
  • Variety of wireless technologies
  • High resolution photo
  • Comfortably lies in the hand
  • Does not support memory card
  • Poor equipment
  • Screen scratches easily

Top 4. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 4/64GB

Rating (2022): 4.67
Accounted for 999 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, DNS, Otzovik, IRecommend
Best price

Smartphones that are good enough and fast enough for immersive VR don't often cost below average. The Redmi Note 5 model has become a happy exception to the rule and the most budgetary, but no less worthy representative of the category.

  • Average price: 9,782 rubles.
  • Country: China
  • Screen: 5.99 inches, 2160x1080, IPS
  • Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 12 megapixels, front 13 megapixels
  • Weight: 181g

Despite the pleasant price, the smartphone is good in a number of vital indicators.A capacious 4000 mAh battery and well-thought-out power consumption allow you not to think about charging for up to several days, which is important both for everyday use and when working with virtual reality glasses. The battery will last for many hours of VR video viewing. There are no problems with storing and running not the easiest software either. The Xiaomi smartphone is equipped with a decent processor with a frequency of 1800 MHz, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. It is also praised for its large screen resolution, good color reproduction and viewing angles. However, the device, beloved by many, is deprived of NFC, and the cameras shoot at the level of an average state employee.

Pros and cons
  • Capacious battery
  • Clear screen
  • Decent amount of memory
  • Availability
  • Notification indication
  • Lack of NFC
  • Mediocre cameras

Top 3. Google Pixel 4a 6/128GB

Rating (2022): 4.68
Accounted for 97 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, IRecommend
The easiest

Pixel 4a is many times lighter than competitors. Thanks to a modest weight of 143 grams, it does not burden the immersion in the virtual universe. After all, the less pressure VR glasses with a smartphone attached to them on the bridge of the nose, the more pleasant the adventure.

  • Average price: 31,370 rubles.
  • Country: USA (made in China)
  • Screen: 5.8" 2340x1080 OLED
  • Battery capacity: 3140 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 12 megapixels, front 8 megapixels
  • Weight: 143 g
  • Video review

The owners of this smartphone, as a rule, do not face the problem of poor compatibility with virtual reality glasses. After all, the Google Pixel 4a operating system is bare Android, quite up-to-date and potentially updatable. If you believe the reviews, it is much clearer, simpler and better thought out than its counterparts.Also, the smartphone is praised for its stable operation and convenient size, thanks to which it fits perfectly in the hand and is easily inserted into VR glasses. At the same time, the device pleases with the good quality of other important parameters. Many buyers note decent sound, detailed photos and eSIM support. The only thing missing is a good battery capacity, sufficient for at least a couple of days of battery life.

Pros and cons
  • Naked Android
  • Perfectly tuned system
  • Photo quality
  • Convenient sizes
  • eSIM support
  • Weak battery

Top 2. Sony Xperia 5 II 8/128GB

Rating (2022): 4.71
Accounted for 83 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, Otzovik, DNS
Most effective sound

For a complete immersion in the virtual world, not only a high-quality picture is important, but also a realistic surround sound. Sony has no equal in this. Xperia 5 II's stereo speakers deliver clear, rich sound at any height or volume.

  • Average price: 69 990 rubles.
  • Country: Japan (produced in Thailand)
  • Screen: 6.1 inches, 2520x1080, OLED
  • Battery capacity: 4000 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 12 megapixels, front 8 megapixels
  • Weight: 163 g
  • Video review

Like any really good smartphone suitable for VR, Sony is equipped with powerful hardware. The Snapdragon 865 processor with a frequency of 2840 MHz is successfully complemented by 8 GB of RAM and a modern Adreno 650 video processor. The smartphone works not only quickly, but also beautifully thanks to a screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a resolution of 2520 by 1080 pixels and excellent color reproduction. The colorfulness in the Xperia 5 II pleases not only the screen, but also the camera. Smartphone owners often boast of luxurious photos that resemble professional shots. Another reason for the general delight was the battery, which lasts for 2-3 days.The only drawback is the slippery body. But this is solved by purchasing a cover.

Pros and cons
  • Performance processor
  • Screen 120 hertz
  • Long battery life
  • Side Scanner
  • Photo with good color reproduction
  • Slippery

Top 1. Apple iPhone 12 Pro 6/512GB

Rating (2022): 4.87
Accounted for 592 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, OZON, IRecommend, Otzovik, DNS
The best stock of built-in memory

The only smartphone suitable for installation in virtual reality glasses, with a really large amount of memory. The 512 GB capacity is enough even for the most active use of all the features of the new iPhone.

The thinnest case

Excellent built-in memory, speed and a decent battery in the new Apple development are successfully combined with an ultra-thin body with a thickness of only 7.4 millimeters, which makes the device very convenient for both VR and life.

  • Average price: 116,490 rubles.
  • Country: USA (made in China)
  • Screen: 6.1 inches, 2532x1170 pixels, OLED
  • Battery capacity: 2815 mAh
  • Cameras: rear 12 megapixels, front 12 megapixels
  • Weight: 187g
  • Video review

Although the iOS platform is known as one of the most closed and not universally compatible systems, most VR glasses are optimized for it, which means that the iPhone is very suitable for conquering virtual worlds. This is just a chic option that works without lags and friezes. The device has a stylish steel body that fits most virtual reality glasses and hands, as well as a colorful screen with a pixel density of 457 dpi, which is one of the best indicators and provides excellent detail. Powerful surround sound takes the VR experience to the next level.At the same time, 12 Pro will help capture the beauty of the real world with advanced night mode and optical zoom.

Pros and cons
  • High pixel density
  • Great surround sound
  • Performance
  • advanced night photography
  • Striking steel body
  • High price
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