Google's Daydream VR platform is finally here, and although the Google Pixel and Pixel XL are currently the only two phones on the market that are capable of running Daydream, that's going to change in the near future. Daydream is still in its infancy, but Google has already outlined the major requirements that future devices will need to meet in order to properly run the Daydream platform.
This news comes by way of Google's latest update to the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CDD), and it paints a pretty clear picture as to what phones will be able to run Daydream and what phones will not. There's a lot of technical talk outlined in the documentation, such as how all phones must support sustained performance modes, Vulkan Hardware Level 0, H.264 decoding, etc. We could go over the specifics all day, but here are the main takeaways.
First of all, phones that want to run Daydream will need to feature screen sizes between 4.7-inches and 6-inches. Additionally, while the resolution is required to be at least 1080p Full HD, Google "strongly recommends" that it be Quad HD (1440p) or higher. Google doesn't exactly say that OLED panels are required for Daydream to work, but when considering the fact that OLED ones offer much lower latency levels than LCD, it's likely that OLED and AMOLED will be the only ones to officially make the cut.
Recommended For You
In regards to processing specs, Qualcomm has already confirmed that only the Snapdragon 821 is capable of supporting the Daydream platform. This goes against ZTE's claims that the Axon 7 would be able to work with Daydream with the Snapdragon 820 CPU, but we're inclined to believe Qualcomm over ZTE in this matter. And, while both the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge support Vulkan 1.0, there hasn't been any mention that they will run Daydream.
So, if you want to be one of the first people to test out Daydream, what are your best bets? As it stands, the Pixel and Pixel XL still remain as the current go-to solutions. Asus's ZenFone 3 Deluxe with its Snapdragon 821 processor should also support Daydream, but its availability isn't quite as strong as that of the Pixel. In any case, now that these requirements are out on the table, it's likely that we'll see an influx in Daydream-ready phones starting sometime in early 2017.
Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.
Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.
The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.
The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.
Joe Maring, a reviewer and tech news writer at PhoneArena, specializes in thorough analyses and updates on cutting-edge mobile technology, helping readers stay informed about the latest trends and product features in the rapidly evolving smartphone market.
COMMENTS (15)
COMMENTS (15)
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
PhoneArena Community Rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: