Oculus Go
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| Oculus Go | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR |
| Platform | Oculus |
| Developer | Oculus VR (Meta Platforms), Qualcomm, Xiaomi |
| Manufacturer | Xiaomi |
| Announcement Date | October 11, 2017 |
| Release Date | May 1, 2018 |
| Price | $199 (32GB) / $249 (64GB) |
| Website | https://www.meta.com/ |
| Successor | Oculus Quest |
| System | |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 32 GB / 64 GB |
| Memory | 3 GB RAM |
| Display | |
| Display | LCD |
| Resolution | 1280x1440 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 60/72 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 89° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (head only) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Built-in speakers |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
| Weight | 468g |
The Oculus Go is a discontinued standalone virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Oculus VR (now Meta Platforms) in partnership with Qualcomm and Xiaomi, unveiled on October 11, 2017 and released on May 1, 2018. The first standalone VR headset from Oculus, the Go featured a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 1280x1440 per eye LCD display with fast-switch technology reducing screen door effect, built-in spatial audio speakers, and 3DoF head tracking. At $199 for the 32GB model, the Go made VR accessible to mainstream consumers, selling over two million units by July 2019 before being discontinued in favor of the 6DoF Oculus Quest.
History and Development
Oculus unveiled the Go at Oculus Connect 4 on October 11, 2017, launching it on May 1, 2018 at F8 2018. Developed in partnership with Qualcomm for the Snapdragon 821 platform and manufactured by Xiaomi, the Go was designed to bring standalone VR to a $199 price point. The headset was compatible with the Gear VR library, providing a large launch catalog. By July 2019, over two million units had been sold. The Go was discontinued in 2020 as Oculus shifted focus to 6DoF devices like the Quest.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Fast-switch LCD technology:
- 1280x1440 per eye resolution
- 2560x1440 total resolution
- Single 5.5-inch LCD display
- Fast-switch LCD technology
- 60 Hz or 72 Hz refresh rate
- 89° field of view
- Reduced screen door effect
- Dramatic visual clarity improvement
Processing
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
- 3 GB RAM
- 32 GB or 64 GB storage
- No expandable storage
- Optimized for standalone VR
Tracking
3DoF head tracking:
- 3 degrees of freedom
- Head rotation only
- No positional tracking
- Orientation tracking
- Seated/stationary experiences
Audio
Integrated spatial audio:
- Built-in speakers
- Spatial audio
- No headphones required
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Private listening option
- Immersive sound design
Build
Lightweight comfortable design:
- 468g weight
- Fabric facial interface
- Soft and breathable
- All-in-one design
- No wires to PC
- No phone required
- Elastic head straps
Controller
3DoF orientation controller:
- Single 3DoF controller
- Orientation tracking
- Single trigger
- Trackpad
- Back button
- Menu button
- Ergonomic design
- Same inputs as Gear VR
Battery
- 2 hours gaming
- 2.5 hours video watching
- USB charging
- No fast charging
Gear VR Compatibility
- Compatible with Gear VR software
- Large launch library
- Familiar content ecosystem
- Samsung partnership ecosystem
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1280x1440 per eye LCD |
| Refresh Rate | 60/72 Hz |
| FOV | 89° |
| Processor | Snapdragon 821 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB |
| Tracking | 3DoF (head only) |
| Controller | 3DoF (orientation) |
| Battery | 2-2.5 hours |
| Weight | 468g |
| Price | $199/$249 |
Reception
Praise:
- $199 accessible price
- First standalone Oculus
- No PC or phone required
- Fast-switch LCD clarity
- Built-in speakers excellent
- 468g lightweight
- Gear VR library access
- Easy setup
- 2+ million units sold
- VR democratization
Criticism:
- 3DoF only (no positional)
- No 6DoF experiences
- No fast charging
- No expandable storage
- Limited motion capability
- Seated experiences only
- Discontinued after 2 years
- Replaced by Quest quickly
- 2-2.5 hour battery
- No room-scale VR[2]