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Google recaps new Daydream-ready phones, including Huawei Mate 9, first 3rd-party viewer

Last year, Google announced that many upcoming Android devices would support the Daydream VR platform. At CES, Asus announced the Daydream-ready ZenFone AR and ZTE noted that support was coming to the Axon 7 with Nougat. Today, Google announced the addition of Huawei’s Mate 9 and Mate 9 Pro, as well as the first third-party Daydream viewer.

The ZTE Axon 7 is a great entry for Daydream at the low-end, with its Snapdragon 820 processor and 5.5-inch WQHD AMOLED display. ZTE announced at CES that the Nougat update would be available in the coming “weeks.”

Meanwhile, the Asus ZenFone AR doubles as both Daydream-ready and Tango-enabled. Powered by the Snapdragon 821, it features a larger 5.7-inch display and supports augmented reality with a three lens camera stack. Google reiterated that dozens of Tango apps would be coming over the next year.

New additions to Daydream, are Huawei’s Mate 9 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 9. Both feature 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 displays, powered by the non-Qualcomm HiSilicon Kirin 960 processor. Huawei is also announcing the first third-party Daydream viewer that is specifically tailored to these devices.

Unlike the Daydream View, the Huawei VR opts for adjustable focus instead of designing enough space for glasses. Similar in appearance to the Gear VR, the phone is attached via plastic clips to a prominently white plastic frame. Besides the single horizontal headband to secure the device, users can string an additional vertical band over their head for a better fit.

Pricing and availability are unknown, but the device appears to use the exact same Daydream controller that is included with the View.

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com