Google I/O has begun, the company’s annual developer conference, and amidst expectations of a new all-in-one VR headset, the company announced that Samsung’s Galaxy S8/S8 plus and LG’s next flagship phone will be officially receiving Google Daydream support.

Taking the stage at I/O, Clay Bavor, the head of Google’s VR team, announced that Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus phones will finally be receiving Daydream support via a software update this summer. This is the first mention of a specific Samsung device supporting the Daydream VR platform.

LG’s next flagship phone, a yet unrevealed model, will also be supporting Daydream at launch later this year.

When first announced at last year’s Google I/O, Daydream-compatible phones were supposed to come from several manufacturers including Samsung, HTC, LG, Mi, Huawei, ZTE, Asus, and Alcatel.

Because of the lack of onboard electronics, Daydream-compatible phones require highly-tuned inertial measurement units (IMUs) which determine head-tracking latency, not to mention the graphical guts to make the cut. Google Cardboard, the company’s wide-reaching VR initiative that supports a multitude of mid-to-low end devices, delivers a basic but serviceable mobile VR experience. Daydream however, with it’s hand controller and beefier specs, that necessarily push frame rates to 60 fps, delivers what most consider a high-quality VR experience on par with Samsung’s Gear VR mobile headset.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • tvguy

    Hopefully, the Samsung phones won’t overheat like the Pixel, Moto Z, and ZTE Axon 7.

    • It works well in the Gear VR. I have used mine for hours.

      • tvguy

        Yes, I have a Gear VR also. I’ve played for 2 hours and my S8+ is barely warm and only 20% battery loss. The Daydream is very different — huge battery drain and all compatible phones overheat within 15-20 minutes.

        • I think the phone would make a bigger difference than the headset. For the most part are not both headsets just shells that hold the phone? Other than the tech used to connect what else is really handled on the headset? That said software could make difference. If the Gear VR uses less taxing software to power its apps I can see your point. Still I would predict that the SD835 my be the big difference maker based on what I have seen so far.

          • tvguy

            My S7 Edge didn’t overheat with the Gear VR either. I think the problem with Daydream / phones is that they are not properly optimized or tested for the high demands of VR. Also, the phones are not adequately protected from heat (with heat pipes, etc). I’ve tried Daydream on two of the three phones and both the ZTE and Moto Z popped up overheating warnings within 30 minutes. It’s not worth melting your phone for VR. Google needs to create phones that are adequately protected from overheating or reduce CPU overhead.

        • Renato Wisocki Jr

          just remember GearVR apps run at 30 fps reprojected to 60fps. daydream run at native 60fps