Virtual Reality (VR) has made significant advancements in 2015 and looks to continue that trend in the years to come. It even helped save a life. The problem is that unless you’re OK with Google Cardboard or other cardboard-like VR goggles, a standalone mobile phone VR headset — like the Samsung Gear VR — is quite pricey.
Thankfully we can always count on China to produce more affordable options and with FiresVR, proper smartphone VR gear could become easily accessible to everyone.
Dubbed the “Xiaomi of China’s VR industry”, FiresVR is looking to shake up the pricing of quality VR headsets with its new JiDome-1. Although China has produced many cardboard-like VR pieces in the country, the JiDome-1 is the first “serious” VR product that can be compared to the likes of the Gear VR.
The JiDome-1 has a high-precision 9-axis gyroscope and proximity sensor as well as redefined weak interaction buttons. It also has a built-in air-cooling system with a balanced cooling efficiency and working noise. This cooling system will hopefully work well to keep your device cool and stave away moisture or fogging.
While the Gear VR is only compatible with Samsung devices, this JiDome-1 is compatible with a variety of Android smartphones as long as they meet the design requirements. For now, it is already compatible with 30% of all Android devices but FiresVR wants to push it to exceed 50% compatibility in 2016.
As a proverbial cherry on top of the icing, the device is currently being sold at RMB199 (around RM131.60) which is a whole lot cheaper than what the Gear VR goes for. There is a catch, though: When it goes on sale in Q1 of 2016, it will only be available to developers, but it is expected to reach consumers in the second quarter of 2016. Because of that, a consumer price has not yet been released.
If you can’t wait that long, there’re always more options for VR headsets, head on over to our gadget gift guide for more information.
