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Redmi 2 Pro: the R1 999 affordable mobile VR

From the many billboards advertising it around town, you’d think mobile VR is synonymous with R14 000 smartphones and massive headsets.

These adverts promote the idea that while a true ‘virtual’ reality may be desirable, it’s only affordable for the few.

However, the reality of 360 degree video, as the precursor to true VR is called, is more mundane and within reach of most of us, thanks to the R1 999 Redmi 2 Pro. It’s the lowest priced smartphone in the market that will allow you to experience mobile VR content, either with or without a headset. The Redmi 2 Pro’s closest competitor price-wise will set you back R3 500 – 75% more.

The function of the mobile VR headset is merely to attach your smartphone in horizontal position to your forehead, in front of your eyes (and in some cases render imagery stereographically, i.e. ‘double up’ in order to create a 3D scene) – as so aptly demonstrated by Google’s cut-price Cardboard.

Google Cardboard, image cc 2.0 BY othree
Google Cardboard, image cc 2.0 BY othree

But to be able to walk around in The White House, have U2 play live all around you or join Andy Murray at the centre court of Wimbledon, your smartphone needs to have a gyroscope (in addition to the accelerometer, which all smartphones have). No smartphone under R3,500 has one, except for the Redmi Pro 2.

The gyroscope is necessary to track your head movements (or the phone itself if you don’t use a headset) so your device can adjust the scenes relative to where you are ‘looking’ in the virtual realm. Without a gyroscope you will only see the same imagery in front of you at all times, irrespective of where you turn your head or smartphone.

Unfortunately, most vendors and retailers don’t advertise whether a gyroscope is included in a device or not, and the standard settings in Android also don’t reveal that information.

To do your homework, check www.gsmarena.com and compare different models. If you have a smartphone already, you can test its capabilities by installing and running the Sensor Box App for Android.

So, if you want to join the mobile VR revolution, make sure you have a smartphone that is equipped for it. Xiaomi has got you covered for only R1 999, or from R109 per month on contract.

The Redmi 2 Pro is available from miafrica.com/za and from Makro, DionWired, Incredible Connection and Takealot.

Or get it on a Vodacom contract from R109 per month (uChoose Flexi 55). Better still, get TWO Redmi 2 Pro devices on ONE My MTN Choice 50 contract for only R199 per month.

Other devices in the Xiaomi range include the Mi 5 (R7 999), Mi 4 (R3 799), and Redmi Note 2 (R2 999). All are available from miafrica.com/za and selected retail outlets.

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