review the Homido VR

We review the Homido VR headset and discover you can get affordable, high-quality virtual reality today for your iOS and Android smartphone for under £50

.Previously on sister site Phonecruncher, we’ve touched on the world of Android VR and the fantastic experiences on offer for those willing to invest in a viewer and compatible apps.

Whilst the DIY Google Cardboard kit works effectively if it’s assembled well, the budget headset has a poor build quality and is prone to falling apart through overuse.

The Homido VR headset retailsfor just under £50 and we’re pleased to report that this mobile gaming accessory is a huge step up from Google’s own offering.

It really does give smartphone users a real sense of immersive virtual reality without the need to invest hundreds of pounds in the various dedicated VR headsets that are due to launch in 2016, many of which require consoles or PCs to work.

Using the Homido VR headset

Arriving with adjustable lenses and offering a handy 100° field of view, the Homido supports a wide range of mobiles of varying sizes, right up to the juggernauts such as the iPhone 6 Plus and OnePlus One.

A full list of compatible smartphones is listed on Homido’s website, which includes Samsung’s Galaxy S4, the LG G3 and Sony’s Experia Z2.

Additionally, glass-wearers are also catered for, considering the Homido VR headset boasts three settings: far-sighted, near-sighted, normal vision.

Being able to enjoy VR apps hands-free thanks to the headstrap is a god-send, and the foam outline running along the inside of the accessory feels comfy even during long play sessions.

This VR accessory feels solid in the hand and strapped onto your head, also gripping smartphones big and small very well.

We found that one of the main advantages of using the Homido was that the headset doesn’t allow light to flood into the viewer itself. Wear some headphones with the Homido on your head and you’ll feel truly immersed.

It’s not the perfect experience, however. Google Cardboard features a magnet on the side of the device that serves as an input command for certain VR apps.

Unfortunately, the Homido doesn’t have a magnet on the side or a Bluetooth equivalent, which means that you’ll need to pair a smartphone-compatible controller for most of the top VR apps.

Hamido Center

Hamido boasts its own mobile app for iOS and Android, which essentially serves as a library of links to VR games and experiences.

The free-to-download mobile app isn’t too elaborate, but it doesn’t need to be.

Featured in the app’s catalogue are VR games, 360° spherical videos and pictures, 3D videos and streamed PC games.

Value for money

At the time of writing, the Homido VR headset is €69 via the product website, or around £50 onShopomo.

In our minds, the price seems slightly high for a product that is essentially a better-built Google Cardboard, but when you’re riding VR rollercoasters or blasting zombies, it all seems worth it.

For those with a casual interest in mobile VR, Google Cardboard (which can be grabbed for less than £3 from Chinese retail sites) seems like the better option at this point.

If you fancy treating yourself to a far superior VR experience when it comes to comfort and lens quality though, the Homido is the way to go.

Our verdict

If you’re looking for a more complete VR experience than you’ll find with Google Cardboard, it doesn’t get much better than the Homido VR headset.

This VR viewer is built to last, comfy to wear and handles even the biggest of smartphones and phablets.

We loved our time with the Homido VR headset for iOS and Android and can’t wait for more apps and experiences to become available.

Have you tried VR on Android or iOS? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet us at @ShopomoUK.