The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Xiaomi Mi VR Play is a simple smartphone-powered VR viewer, not a standalone headset or Xiaomi’s separate sensor-equipped Mi VR product. Xiaomi says it fits phones with 4.7- to 5.7-inch displays, but screen size alone does not guarantee a good fit. Contemporary reviewers praised its low launch-era price and ease of use while noting side light leakage and limited comfort; its app and regional support should not be assumed to work today.
Which Xiaomi Mi VR is this?
The name “Xiaomi Mi VR” can refer to more than one product. This review covers the fabric-covered Mi VR Play: a viewer that uses a compatible smartphone for its display and processing. It is distinct from Xiaomi’s separate sensor-equipped Mi VR headset. Xiaomi’s product page describes the Mi VR Play as a phone accessory, with optional headphones.
Design and phone fit
Xiaomi describes a Lycra-and-EVA body, a two-way zipper for securing the phone, internal anti-slip strips, and front openings intended for small positioning adjustments and ventilation. The viewer uses anti-reflective aspheric lenses and a textured physical button that contacts the phone. These are manufacturer-described features, not independent performance measurements.
Xiaomi lists a compatible display range of 4.7 to 5.7 inches and gives these example phone dimensions. Treat them as a fit guide rather than a guarantee: cases, camera bumps, buttons, and the handset’s exact shape can affect placement.
#1 Best Overall
- 👀 [Remote Controller] Our virtual reality headset provide a control that connected to the phone, then you can play and stop music , volume +/- directly. Put yourself right into the action with games & movies and more!
- 👀 [More Comfortable Wearing] The mask is made of soft and breathable PU leather, easy to clean and comfortable to wear.We recommend that you take a break every half hour while playing VR to maximize your eye protection.
- 👀 [HD LENS] Double spherical optical lens, restore the real image, more high-definition. High-definition optical multi-layer protection lens.360-degree panoramic view, bringing more shocking visual experience and immersive visual impact.
| Fit guide | Phone dimensions | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum example | 138.1 × 67.0 mm | Xiaomi Global product page |
| Typical example | 155.1 × 77.6 mm | Xiaomi Global product page |
| Maximum example | 158.1 × 77.8 mm | Xiaomi Global product page |
Before buying, compare your phone’s actual width and height with Xiaomi’s guide, account for any case, and check that the phone’s controls and camera layout do not prevent it sitting securely. Xiaomi’s Indonesia page says the viewer is certified for Google Cardboard apps and notes that the Cardboard design recommendation omits a head strap. Do not assume every regional package or app setup is identical.
What reviewers found
In a review published on 2016-09-27, Wareable’s Sophie Charara described the Mi VR Play as inexpensive and easy to use, but not fully enclosed or especially comfortable. She reported distracting light entering at the sides, little room for glasses, and a 75-degree field of view. Those are dated reviewer observations, not current standardized test results.
Android Central reviewer Harish Jonnalagadda, in a review last updated 2018-07-20, reported a weight of 209 g, a tight fit with glasses, and successful Cardboard app use while testing with a Xiaomi Mi 5 and Redmi Note 3. That experience is not a guarantee for other phones or current software. He wrote, “For $15, the Mi VR Play offers tremendous value for money”; that was his historical, 2018-era price context, not a current offer.
Rank #2
- 【Immersive 3D Movie Viewing】Gaming and watching movies in 3D works best when proper your eyes properly align with the screen. VR headset offers FD and OD adjustments (wide Field of Vision) to expand the viewing angle and perfectly match focal distance and unilateral myopic alignment for reduced distortion to ensure an optimal viewing experience.
- 【Better Control Experience】Our virtual reality headset provide a control that connected to the phone, then you can play and stop music, volume +/- directly. Put yourself right into the action with games, movies and more!
- 【Wide Compatibility】3D mobile VR headsets set compatible with 5.0-7.0 inch smartphones.
| Area | What the sources say | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Phone fit | Xiaomi lists 4.7–5.7-inch displays and example dimensions. | Diagonal alone does not establish fit; check the exact phone and case. |
| Field of view | Wareable reported 75 degrees in 2016. | This is a dated review measurement. |
| Weight | Android Central reported 209 g in 2018. | This is a reviewer-reported specification, not a legible figure from Xiaomi’s Global page. |
| Comfort | Wareable and Android Central both noted limitations, especially for glasses. | Fit is individual; try before relying on it for longer sessions. |
| Content | Xiaomi described its Mi VR app library as China-only; Xiaomi Indonesia stated Cardboard compatibility. | Regional support differs, and current service status is not established. |
Content and regional support
Xiaomi’s Global product page describes the Mi VR app’s panoramic, 2D, and 3D library as available in China only. Xiaomi Indonesia separately states Cardboard app compatibility, and Android Central reported using Cardboard apps during its historical review. These statements describe different regional and review contexts; they do not establish that Xiaomi’s app or any particular service is available or functioning now.
TechCrunch reported in 2016 that Xiaomi first offered the headset to a limited group of beta testers in China. Its report said one million users signed up in eight hours and accepted testers paid RMB 1. Those were launch-era beta details, not general retail pricing or evidence of present availability.
Should you buy the Xiaomi Mi VR Play?
The Mi VR Play may interest someone who wants to explore an early phone-based VR viewer and already has a handset that fits. It is not a substitute for a standalone headset: the phone supplies the display and processing, and the product lacks the separate headset sensors discussed in contemporary comparisons. Reviewer reports suggest trade-offs in comfort, glasses clearance, and light control.
Rank #3
![PlayStation VR Headset + Camera Bundle [Discontinued] (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31SLOxVdX0L._SL160_.jpg)
- Ever Expanding Library of Games - PlayStation is committed to continuously delivering new worlds of unexpected gaming experiences through PlayStationVR.
- Plug and Play - Getting into PlayStationVR couldn't be easier
- Just plug the PSVR headset and your PlayStation Camera into any PlayStation4 system and you're ready to go.
- Lightweight Headset Design
- The PlayStationVR headset will make you forget that you are wearing one, keeping you free from distraction as you explore new gaming worlds.
Prices reported by Wareable and Android Central in 2016–2018 are historical, not current guidance. Current stock, used-market value, listing authenticity, and app service status were not verified in the research. Check the exact product identity, condition, phone fit, and regional content situation before purchasing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Does the Xiaomi Mi VR Play fit my phone?
Xiaomi specifies phones with 4.7- to 5.7-inch displays and supplies example dimensions, but screen diagonal does not guarantee compatibility. Check your handset’s width, height, case, camera bumps, and button layout against the product’s fit guide.
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Is the Xiaomi Mi VR Play a standalone VR headset?
No. The Mi VR Play is a smartphone-powered viewer. It is also distinct from Xiaomi’s separate sensor-equipped product called Mi VR.
Rank #4
- Compatibility - Feebz VR headset for iPhone & Android model 2.0 fits more phone models than any other VR model.
- Free VR content - Our VR headsets come with VR apps & videos for iPhones and Android for beginners
- Unique gift for kids - A great gift idea for boys & girls, perfect for birthdays, Christmas, or any special event
- Beginners friendly – New to VR? We include a "how to use" tutorial link in the box
- Immersive & comfortable - To deliver more immersive & comfortable VR experience, our virtual reality glasses are equipped with bigger lenses and face padding
Can I use Google Cardboard apps with it?
Xiaomi Indonesia says Mi VR Play is certified for Google Cardboard apps, and Android Central reported Cardboard app use in its 2018 review. That historical evidence does not guarantee that a particular app will install or work on your phone today.
Is Xiaomi’s Mi VR app available everywhere?
No universal availability should be assumed. Xiaomi’s Global product page describes the Mi VR app library as available in China only. The current service status was not established.
Is the Mi VR Play worth buying now?
That depends on finding a correctly identified unit in suitable condition and already having a phone that fits. Historical prices are not current offers, and the research does not verify present stock or used-market value. Consider the fit, comfort limitations, and regional content caveat before deciding.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
