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Do you need your next phone to be VR capable?

Do you need your next phone to be VR capable?

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There's a bifurcation coming. I know, because I just Googled "bifurcation" to see if I was using the right word, and I saw this huge headline:

GOOGLE HAS THIS THING WHERE SOME PHONES ARE GOING TO BE COOL FOR DAYDREAM VR AND THE OTHER PHONES ARE JUST PHONES HOW BORING

Weird, right?

Anyway, it got me thinking. The last Android phone I bought was the Galaxy S6, specifically because it did VR. I don't actually use it outside of VR, or the occasional reminder that you can purchase Audible books right inside the app on Android. I'm primarily an iOS user.

But I know a lot of people use Android as a phone, not just an overpriced VR headset. Right now, if you're looking for a phone, you basically have a choice between Samsung (if you want good VR, or just like curved edges on things), and everybody else. But not too long from now you'll be able to choose between a great, affordable phone that doesn't do VR, and the Daydream-compatible top of the line from Google-compliant manufacturers.

So, will Daydream force your hand? Is Cardboard good enough for your tastes? Does VR still need a killer app on mobile to get you interested? Are non-VR phones a no-buy once Daydream launches, or is VR just a nice-to-have?

Poll

Do you need your next phone to be VR capable?

This poll is closed

  • 61%
    Yes
    (966 votes)
  • 26%
    No
    (412 votes)
  • 13%
    I use iPhone, what's "VR"?
    (208 votes)
1586 votes total