Alcatel Presents Own Standalone VR Headset, Challenges Despite Good Specs

In a world quickly filling up with VR devices, from big brands like Oculus and HTC to less conventional ones like Intel and Qualcomm, it’s clear that the industry is fast picking up in size. Now, minor phone company Alcatel is joining the game with its own standalone hardware that needs neither phones nor powerful computer rigs.

In a press release, Alcatel recently announced the existence of the “Vision” VR headset, which is a standalone device that can provide users with the experience without the need to be plugged into bulky computer hardware or using smart devices to work. It’s pretty much the same concept as the Intel “Project Alloy,” only less powerful and is set to come out a lot sooner.

However, with Alcatel being a relatively minor player in the smartphone industry, it will be very difficult for the company to compete with the bigger brands. As Engadget notes, the company is not currently working with Oculus or other major VR names to help it set up a payment system. Instead, Alcatel is creating its own while partnering with companies that make VR games like Jaunt VR and Fraunhofer, to compile its own library of games.

In terms of specs, however, the “Vision” certainly brings a lot to the table. The headset doesn’t have straps to secure it and instead features a brace system that provides a snug fit of the head. While the goggles are at the front, the battery is at the back, which provides a counterbalance to the weight of the front hardware.

The front end sports two 3.8-inch AMOLED displays, which provide 1,080 x 1,020 resolution for each. For muscle, it is equipped with an octa-core CPU, a decent 32GB of storage space, and a modest 3GB of RAM. For connectivity, the headset also comes with Bluetooth and LTE Wi-Fi capability.