LG 360 VR
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| LG 360 VR | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Mobile VR |
| Platform | Google Cardboard content |
| Creator | LG |
| Developer | LG |
| Manufacturer | LG |
| Announcement Date | 21 February 2016 (LG G5 launch event, Barcelona) |
| Release Date | 31 March 2016 (South Korea) |
| Price | US$199.99 (US suggested price); 299,000 won (South Korea, March 2016); £199 (UK retailer listing, March 2016) |
| Website | LG 360 VR |
| Versions | LGR100.AVRZTS (US model number) |
| Requires | LG G5 smartphone |
| System | |
| Chipset | STM32F411 - Cortex-M4 100MHz |
| Display | |
| Display | 1.88" IPS LCD x 2 (one per eye), 639 ppi |
| Resolution | 960 x 720 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Persistence | 16.7ms (full persistence) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 80° (horizontal) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Horizontal FOV (field-of-view) 80° lens; individually focusable lenses |
| Tracking | |
| Latency | Motion to Photon: over 50ms |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5 mm 3-pole earphone jack |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 & USB Type-C |
| Power | 5 V USB OTG from the phone; 280 mA or less |
| Device | |
| Weight | 4.12 oz. (LG US listing); 118 g without light blocker (LG launch figure); 134.3 g, or 113 g without light blocker (user guide) |
| Sensors | 6-axis (Gyro & Accelerometer) Proximity Sensor |
| Input | 2 keys (Back, Select); touchscreen of the connected LG G5 |
| Size | 164.1 x 185.6 x 45.9 mm (temples open) |
The LG 360 VR (model LG-R100) is a lightweight Mobile VR HMD made by LG Electronics as an accessory for its LG G5 smartphone. Instead of housing the phone inside the headset like the Samsung Gear VR, it has its own pair of displays and connects to the phone through a USB Type-C cable; the G5 supplies the processing, rendering and power.[1][2] LG introduced it in Barcelona on 21 February 2016, at its G5 launch event held alongside Mobile World Congress, together with the G5 and the LG 360 CAM, as one of the "LG Friends" companion devices.[3][1]
The headset folds like a pair of glasses[2] and weighs 118 g without its light blocker, which LG said was about a third of the weight of competing products. It uses two 1.88-inch IPS LCD panels at 960 x 720 pixels each (639 ppi) behind lenses with an 80-degree horizontal field of view, and it plays 360 video and Google Cardboard content.[1][4] It went on sale in South Korea on 31 March 2016 at 299,000 won.[5] Press reviews praised its low weight but criticized its blurry image, light leakage, motion lag and thin content library.[6][7] LG's US product page lists the headset as discontinued.[8]
Announcement and release
LG unveiled the G5 and eight "Friends" accessories at its "LG G5 Day" launch event at the Sant Jordi Club in Barcelona on 21 February 2016, alongside Mobile World Congress. The 360 VR was one of the Friends that connect to the phone by cable; LG's Korean press release described it as a "mobile-only VR device" that works only with the G5.[1][9] The companion LG 360 CAM was a 360-degree camera for capturing photos and video that could then be viewed in the headset.[1][10]
LG gave no price or release date at the launch. The Verge reported that the headset was "supposedly scheduled to be released sometime this summer".[7] Shaun Musgrave, LG's product marketing manager for the UK and Ireland, told Trusted Reviews that the price "will be very competitive" and "sits within the same space as the [Samsung] Gear VR".[11] In March 2016 the UK retailer Clove listed the 360 VR at £199, and B&H opened US pre-orders at US$199.99 without a shipping date.[12][13]
The G5 and six Friends, the 360 VR among them, went on sale in South Korea on 31 March 2016. The Korean price of the 360 VR was 299,000 won, the same as the 360 CAM.[5] By May 2016 LG's US website listed it under model number LGR100.AVRZTS at a suggested price of US$199.99.[4]
Release timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 February 2016 | Unveiled with the LG G5 at LG's launch event in Barcelona, alongside Mobile World Congress[1] |
| 22 March 2016 | Listed at £199 by UK retailer Clove[12] |
| 23 March 2016 | US pre-orders at B&H for US$199.99[13] |
| 31 March 2016 | Released in South Korea at 299,000 won[5] |
| May 2016 | Listed on LG's US site at a suggested price of US$199.99[4] |
Design and hardware
The main features of the 360 VR are its small size and low weight. Because the headset does not carry a smartphone, the housing is slim. LG called it a "sports goggle" design that is worn like glasses,[1] and it folds up like a pair of glasses.[2] LG's launch figure was 118 g without the light blocker.[1] The US product page lists 4.12 oz., and the user guide gives 134.3 g, or 113 g without the light blocker.[4][14] A removable felt light blocker surrounds the lenses; inside there is a nose pad and a proximity sensor between the eyes that detects when the headset is worn and turns the display on and off.[10][2]
Display and optics
Each eye has its own 1.88-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 960 x 720 pixels and a density of 639 ppi. LG compared this with the 587 ppi of a 5-inch QHD smartphone display, and said the picture was equivalent to a 130-inch screen viewed from 2 meters.[1][14] LG's US specification sheet lists the panels as "920 x 720 per Eye", while LG's Korean press release, the user guide and LG Singapore's specification page all give 960 x 720.[4][1][15] Road to VR noted that the LCD panels are not low-persistence displays, unlike the OLED panels used in most consumer headsets of the time.[16] Early hands-on reports differed on whether the image was stereoscopic. Engadget first reported that it was not, then added that LG had confirmed that it is stereoscopic.[17]
The lenses have an 80-degree horizontal field of view.[4] Each lens can be focused separately. The Verge's reviewer could use the headset without his glasses, which would not have fitted underneath it, and Pocket-lint wrote that glasses cannot be worn with the 360 VR.[10][7] Reports disagreed about interpupillary distance adjustment. Pocket-lint and Stuff described a way to change the width or lateral position of the lenses, while Road to VR and Tom's Hardware said there was no physical IPD adjustment on the units shown at MWC.[10][6][16][9]
Sensors, controls and connection
The headset has a 6-axis sensor (gyroscope and accelerometer) for head tracking and a proximity sensor.[4] Two keys on top, Select and Back, are used to navigate the interface together with a head-tracked cursor.[14][7] When the 360 VR is in use, the screen of the G5 works as a touchpad.[9] At MWC, LG staff told Road to VR that the headset used both its own IMU and the G5's to keep a stable orientation, and Road to VR found that tilting the phone changed the view.[16]
A USB Type-C cable carries power and video, so the phone stays free to act as a controller for virtual reality applications. The headset has a USB 2.0 and USB Type-C port and draws 5 V from the phone over USB OTG, at 280 mA or less.[4][14] Rendering is done by the G5's Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, and Tom's Hardware reported that the 360 VR was the first VR hardware to use that chip.[9] The user guide gives a usage time of 2.0 hours or less, measured in airplane mode with the headset connected and a 2,800 mAh phone battery.[14] In Stuff's review, the G5 heated up noticeably and lost about 20% of its battery charge after half an hour of use.[6] Sound is played through the 3.5 mm headphone socket on the underside of the headset; without headphones, sound comes from the phone.[10]
Technical specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Glasses-type display[14] |
| Dimensions | 164.1 mm x 185.6 mm x 45.9 mm (temples open)[14] |
| Weight | 134.3 g; 113 g without the light blocker (user guide)[14] |
| Display | 1.88", 960 x 720 (639 PPI) IPS LCD, one per eye[14] |
| Field of view | 80° (horizontal)[4] |
| Sensors | 6-axis (acceleration, gyro), proximity sensor[14] |
| Physical UI | Keys (Back, Select)[15] |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 + Type C Plug[15] |
| Audio | 3.5 mm, 3-pole earphone jack[14] |
| Chipset | STM32F411 - Cortex-M4 100MHz[15] |
| Power | 5 V USB OTG from phone; current consumption 280 mA or less (for 5.0 V)[14] |
| Operating temperature | -15 °C to +55 °C[14] |
| Compatible phone | LG G5[4] |
| In the box | LG 360 VR, warranty card, quick start guide, USB Type-C cable, carrying case, lens cleaner and light blocker[4] |
Software and features
LG did not build its own app store for the 360 VR. It aimed the headset at user-created 360-degree photos and video, YouTube 360 video and other Google Cardboard content.[9] LG's press release said the headset can show all VR content provided through Google Cardboard, and the 360 VR supports Google Cardboard apps and 360 videos.[1][16] LG said it used proprietary software, so it could not be used with other phones.[10] On LG's US site, an LG representative wrote in June 2016 that the headset is compatible with the G5, not with other phone models, and will not operate normally if the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O PLAY or other devices that are not LG G5 modules are attached to the phone.[18]
When the headset is plugged in, the G5 opens the VR software and prompts the user to download the relevant apps.[10][6] The interface begins in a virtual lobby; Expert Reviews described demo "home theatre" and "cinema" modes that placed the viewer on a virtual sofa watching a G5 advert.[10][19] The headset can also show photos and video from the G5's gallery and from the LG 360 CAM.[6][19] In its May 2016 review, Stuff found that the YouTube icon in the main menu told users to download a separate VRTube app through the VRChannel app, where the only app available to download at the time was Jaunt VR.[6]
Development
Because the headset supports Google Cardboard apps, developers who wanted to create their own virtual reality applications for the LG 360 VR could use Google's Cardboard SDKs.[16] In 2016 Google described the Cardboard SDK for Android as a way to build apps that display 3D scenes with binocular rendering and track head movements, and the Cardboard SDK for Unity as a way to adapt an existing Unity 3D app for virtual reality or build a VR experience from scratch.[20]
Reception
Hands-on reports from MWC 2016 were mostly negative apart from the weight. Tom's Hardware called it "one of the smallest and lightest VR HMDs we've ever worn", but found the resolution poor, the build cheap, and the fit loose enough to let in a lot of light. One demo unit lost its head tracking.[9] James Vincent of The Verge said the headset's main problem was its visor-like design with a gap around the face, and its second was lag: the image blurred when he turned his head.[7] Expert Reviews called the image quality "extremely poor", with perceptible lag and a picture that looked like it ran at about 20 fps.[19] Road to VR noted motion blur from the LCDs and light entering from the sides, and wrote that Cardboard support gave owners no curated content compared with Samsung's Gear VR store.[16] Pocket-lint was more positive, calling it comfortable and well suited to casual VR if it was priced right.[10]
In a full review published in May 2016, Stuff gave the 360 VR 2 out of 5. The reviewer praised the low weight and the use of the G5 as a remote, and found it had a less visible screen door effect than a Gear VR with a Galaxy S7. However, video looked blurry even with the lenses set correctly, light leaked in around the face, there was little content, and the reviewer judged the £200 launch price too high compared with a Gear VR at around £85.[6]
Status
LG's US product page for the LGR100.AVRZTS marks the 360 VR as discontinued (archived copy of August 2025).[8] On 5 April 2021 LG announced that it was closing its mobile phone business, with the wind-down expected to be completed by 31 July 2021.[21]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "LG전자, 'LG G5와 프렌즈(Friends)' 공개". LG. LG Electronics. 2016-02-21. https://www.lg.co.kr/media/release/5290. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ron Amadeo (2016-02-21). "LG jumps on the VR bandwagon with the LG 360 VR". Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/02/lg-jumps-on-the-vr-bandwagon-with-the-lg-360-vr/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ Scott Stein (2016-02-21). "LG 360 VR headset looks almost like glasses (photos)". CNET. https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-360-vr/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 "LG 360 VR Headset (R-100): Lightweight VR Headset". LG USA. LG Electronics. 2016-05-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20160524135239/http://www.lg.com/us/lg-friends/lg-LGR100.AVRZTS-360-vr. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Park Hyun-jun (2016-03-30). "'G5' 31일 출시...출고가 83만6000원". News Tomato. https://newstomato.com/ReadNews.aspx?no=639682. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Esat Dedezade (2016-05-18). "LG 360 VR virtual reality headset review". Stuff. https://www.stuff.tv/review/lg-360-vr-review. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 James Vincent (2016-02-24). "LG's new virtual reality headset has a problem: too much reality". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/24/11100776/lg-vr-360-headset-announced-mwc-2016. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "LG 360 Virtual Reality (VR) Headset - LG G5". LG USA. LG Electronics. 2025-08-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20250823205208/https://www.lg.com/us/mobile-accessories/lg-lgr100avrzts-360-vr. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Alex Davies (2016-02-21). "LG Takes On Samsung With VR Headset And Camera, We Go Eyes-On". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/lg-vr-headset-360-camera,31237.html. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 Chris Hall (2016-02-21). "LG 360 VR preview: A unique perspective on mobile VR". Pocket-lint. https://www.pocket-lint.com/ar-vr/reviews/lg/136800-lg-360-vr-preview-a-unique-perspective-on-mobile-vr/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ Sean Keach (2016-02-22). "LG finally talks about 360 VR headset price and availability". Trusted Reviews. https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/lg-360-vr-release-date-price-headset-buy. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Vlad (2016-03-22). "LG's Friends for the G5 get priced in the UK". GSMArena. https://www.gsmarena.com/lgs_friends_for_the_g5_get_priced_in_the_uk-blog-17376.php. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Vlad (2016-03-23). "LG 360 VR headset is now priced in the US too". GSMArena. https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_360_vr_headset_is_now_priced_in_the_us_too-news-17401.php. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 "LG 360 VR (LG-R100) user guide: Specifications and Features". ManualsLib. LG Electronics. https://manualslib.mx/manual/448507/Lg-360-Vr.html?page=18. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "LG 360 VR". LG Singapore. LG Electronics. https://www.lg.com/sg/lg-friends/lg-360-VR. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Scott Hayden (2016-02-23). "The Good, the Bad and the 'Meh' of LG 360 VR". Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/good-bad-meh-lg-360-vr/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ Chris Velazco (2016-02-21). "LG made a robot ball and a VR headset for the G5". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2016-02-21-lg-g5-friends-vr-headset-rolling-bot.html. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ "LG 360 VR Headset (R-100): Lightweight VR Headset". LG USA. LG Electronics. 2016-07-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20160707052956/http://www.lg.com/us/lg-friends/lg-LGR100.AVRZTS-360-vr. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Michael Passingham (2016-02-23). "LG 360 VR review - hands on with the G5-compatible headset". Expert Reviews. https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/beauty-wellness/wearables/lg-360-vr-review-hands-on-with-the-g5-compatible-headset. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ "Cardboard Overview". Google Developers. Google. 2016-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305105804/https://developers.google.com/cardboard/overview. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ "LG to Close Mobile Phone Business Worldwide". LG Canada. LG Electronics. 2021-04-05. https://www.lg.com/ca_en/about-lg/press-and-media/lg-to-close-mobile-phone-business-worldwide/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.