Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
(Update: “Android VR” spotted in dev console) Stand-alone Android VR rumored to be unveiled at Google I/O
August 25, 2025
Original post, May 11:Back in February, we heard a rumor thatGoogle was working on a standalone VR headsetthat wouldn’t require a smartphone or computer. Their goal, evidently, is to out-perform theSamsung Gear VRwith this portable piece of tech, and theWall Street Journal reportedthat it would even have outward facing cameras for AR use. Now, ifPeter Rojasis to be believed, we’re about to see the fruits of this project showcased atGoogle I/Onext week.
There is, of course, still no word on pricing or specs. Affordability may be a big issue with this project, which is conceptually an expansion ofGoogle Cardboardsans smartphone. It seems like Google is attempting to snag the currently-nonexistent midrange VR headset market. Right now users really only have two options when it comes to virtual reality: they can fork over the big bucks for something like theHTC ViveorOculus Rift, or they can get aninexpensive headsetfor use with their smartphones. There really isn’t much middle ground.
Rest assured that we’ll have boots on the ground at theGoogle I/O conference, so if this unveiling turns out to be true, we’ll be giving you the coverage as soon as it happens. What are your theories regarding Android VR? Will it be exploiting a viable niche in the market, or is the virtual reality arena not quite ready for a mid-tier player yet? Let us know what price you’d pay for a device like this in the comments below!
Next:Google I/O 2016: Our predictions for Google’s big event!
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
