Huawei takes on Samsung with its own smartphone VR headset

Huawei has launched its first VR headset called Huawei VR, alongside the launch of its flagship P9 and P9 Plus smartphones in China. Like the Gear VR, you will also have to use one of Huawei's handsets - the new Huawei P9's or the Huawei Mate 8.

The headset has a side control panel like the Gear VR, adjustable lenses for those who normally wear glasses, and also support for 360-degree audio, provided the software and your headphones are compatible.

Some other details include 20ms latency, -7.00 myopia, a 95-degree field of view, and an anti-blue light filter. Content has already been lined up for the launch, according to the announcement: 4,000 free movies, more than 40 free games and a number of panoramic images and virtual tours.

Like Samsung's Gear virtual reality, the Huawei VR features a removable front-facing cover and a dedicated slot where the smartphone is secured and acts as a dual-screen setup. Huawei is set to join the fun in the very near future, but the Huawei VR headset will offer up something its competitors do not.

There are no official release date or price for the headset, but Huawei said it'll definitely launch in 2016 and likely "this season". You place the latest and greates Huawei smartphone into the headset, and off you go into virtual lala-land.

If you want to get a better view of the device, the folks over at Engadget have posted a gallery with some close-up shots of the Huawei VR headset, which you can find at the link below.

The headset comes in several sizes to accommodate the company's most recent smartphone and phablets. However, the Gear VR costs $99, and it wouldn't be a shock to see the Huawei VR priced similarly.

It's little wonder Hauwei has entered the virtual reality game.

With the 1080p resolution, users should expect that videos aren't as crisp when compared to the Gear VR's.

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Source: Huawei takes on Samsung with its own smartphone VR headset