Interested in Daydream technology ? And looking forward for a smartphone with Daydream support. Then you are in the right place. First of all let us have a small familiarization of the Daydream platform.
Daydream VR Platform
Daydream is an Operating System (Android 7.0 and above) embedded VR platform developed by Google to take the virtual reality to a next level. The VR technology was announced at Google I/O developer conference in May 2016. Google claims, the Daydream to provide high-quality VR experience.
Daydream platform is different from the traditional VR platform such as Google Cardboard, which performs only in certain supported applications level. The devices that are compatible with Daydream are known as Daydream-ready devices. These devices are Daydream-ready, only because they satisfy minimum requirement for the Daydream compatibility.
Minimum requirements to be a Daydream-ready smartphone
- OS: Android 7.0 or later
- Mobile Platform: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and higher (Currently Snapdragon chipsets are only Daydream eligible. Even Exynos(8890) variant having similar performance of SD820 is ineligible.)
- Display: 5.0+ OLED, low persistence display
- NFC, Necessary high-fidelity sensors
Hope, I had given more than enough description of the Daydream to go further. Actually, I want to give more emphasis on Daydream-ready Devices and provide you the list of some Best Daydream-ready smartphones available. So, here goes our Best Daydream-ready devices.
1. Google Pixel
Price: Rs. 49,900
The first Daydream-ready smartphone. Launched in October 2016. Pixel phones is Developed by Google and manufactured by HTC. They are known for its highest DxOMark rated camera sensors.
Housing powerful and advanced hardware’s within Google’s brand image. The Pixel would prove to be a good Daydream-ready phone for some of you.
Google Pixel Features
| Screen Size | 5.00-inch |
| Resolution | 1080×1920 pixels |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Processor | 1.6GHz quad-core
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Primary Camera | 12.3-MP |
| Secondary Camera | 8-MP |
| OS | Android 7.1 Nougat |
| Battery | 2770mAh, Li-ion |
Buy from Amazon India.
2. ZTE Axon 7
Price: Rs. 29,999
ZTE launched its Daydream-ready, Axon 7 in June last year. Axon 7 is the first non-Pixel Daydream-ready smartphone. The phone ships with Android 6.0 out of the box. Users have to update their device to Android 7.1.1 over-the-air (OTA) in-order to access the Daydream.
The large 5.5 inch QuadHD display that device features, definitely enhance the Daydream visuals.
| Axon 7 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| OS | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 |
| CPU | Quad-core (2×2.15 GHz Kryo & 2×1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 |
For Detailed specs click here.
3. Asus ZenFone AR
Price: Rs. 49,999
ZenPhone AR is the second smartphone launched, based on Google’s Project Tango initiative after Lenovo Phab Pro 2. And the world’s first device to cater both DaydreamVR and TangoAR (Augmented Reality: Probably the next big thing in Mobile Technology) compatibility. So, it’s a double dhamaka for the users from Taiwanese MNC, Asus.
ZenFone AR, with the power of VR and AR, surely take us to the virtual world of excitements and new experiences.
ZenFone AR specification.
| Display | 5.70-inchSuper AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Resolution | 1440×2560 pixels |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Processor | quad-core |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Primary Camera | 23 MP, f/2.0, OIS (4-axis), 3x zoom, phase detection autofocus, depth & motion tracking sensors |
| Secondary Camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1080p |
| OS | Android 7.0 |
| Battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 3300 mAh battery |
Zenphone AR is Flipkart exclusive in India.
Buy: Flipkart.
4. Galaxy S8/S8+
S8+: Rs. 64,900
S8: Rs. 57,900
Marvelously designed smartphone of this year. Galaxy S8 with its, Out of the box Infinity display and the Daydream combinedly gives your eyes a feast to perceive. A newcomer in the Daydream-ready devices list.
Although, not initially a Daydream-ready device. Beginning from the first week of this month, Samsung has started rolling out Daydream update for all of its Galaxy S8/S8+.
The Galaxy S8/S8+ is available online as Flipkart exclusive in India.
Buy S8 and S8+ from here.
Conclusion
We have provided some of the best Daydream-ready smartphones and their brief description. Currently, Google has provided Daydream support to only some handful of devices. Other Daydream supported devices that are not present in the above list are:
The list will probably expand. Since, Google recently announced its plan of bringing Daydream to at least 11 devices before the dawn of 2018.