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Chinese tech companies are scrambling to take a piece of the hotly-contended VR market. The local VR industry is expected to reach 5.6 billion yuan ($850 million USD) in 2016, and exceed 55 billion yuan by 2020, up from 1.5 billion yuan in 2015, according to data from Chinese research institute iiMedia.

With the steep market projection in mind, TechNode gathered together a few frontrunners  in the VR headset game so far:

HTC Vive

HTC Vive is a tethered, PC-based VR headset package that includes a headset, two motion controllers, and two base stations. The device provides immersive VR experiences thanks to superb resolution and easy operation. The device still has room for improvement. The system is comparatively complex and requires a large playing space. Still, retailing at $799, this is one of the most promising VR devices we’ve seen.

Baofeng Magic Glass

Part of their VR video endeavor, Baofeng’s Magic Glass is a smartphone headset that is compatible with Bluetooth-connected controllers. Although the 199 yuan device does not boast any ground-breaking features, its dedicated app platform claimed over 70 games and over 1800 video resources.

LeEco Super Helmet 3D VR Head-Mounted Glasses

LeEco is a leading Chinese internet giant which has ventured into the VR industry. The company recently released the Super Helmet, featuring a 5.5 inch Sharp liquid crystal panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and a 70 degree horizontal view.

One highlight of the device is that the users can adjust the lens, a plus for shortsighted people who want to try it out. The device also has some shortcomings. The gadget does not have an embedded battery, and must be connected to a smartphone or battery bank for power supply.

LeEco also released a low-end smartphone headset dubbed LeTV Cool 1 last year.

DeePoon M2

DeePoon M2 is an all-in-one VR headset. Unlike smartphone and PC-tethered headsets, this device basically runs as a powerful smartphone and offers everything you need in a basic VR experience. However, it doesn’t have all the features you get with a PC-based system, such as motion tracking.

DeePoon is a Chinese consumer-targeted VR manufacturer that offers a full array of VR devices, ranging from VR googles that link to smartphones to all-in-one VR handsets with built-in motherboards and displays. The company raised $30 million USD B round earlier this year.

Join us at TechCrunch VR/AR Summit on June 29 to learn more about China’s VR industry.

from TechNode http://ift.tt/28NUM8X