Lenovo Mirage Solo Headset Review: A Discontinued Daydream Standalone
Lenovo Mirage Solo review: specs, battery, WorldSense tracking and controller of the Daydream standalone, why it is discontinued and what to buy instead.
In this guide
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Still sold? No, not as a new product. Lenovo launched the Mirage Solo in May 2018 at $399 as the first standalone headset for Google's Daydream platform, and Google discontinued Daydream in October 2019, when Lenovo also discontinued the Mirage Solo. Any unit you find now is old or second-hand stock.
Still usable? Only in a limited way. In October 2020 Google ended support for the Daydream software, so the headset gets no platform updates, and apps such as Hulu VR have been withdrawn. We could not confirm which Daydream apps can still be downloaded on the Solo today, so treat it as a collector's item rather than a VR system to rely on.
What to consider instead: a current standalone headset such as the Meta Quest 3S, listed by Meta at $349.99 for the 128 GB model (US price, checked 24 September 2026). See What to buy instead today.
The review below was written when the Mirage Solo was on sale; we have kept the author’s hands-on impressions and corrected the facts that have since changed.
I was looking for an affordable standalone headset for quite long.
With the Lenovo Mirage Solo, my search ends. The Solo promises a great VR experience without the need to spend big bucks on a top-end smartphone or a VR compatible pc.
If you’re a fan of Google phones, you will prefer this headset as it uses the same interface as Google’s phone-powered Daydream View mobile headset.
In this useful guide, I uncover the features of the device that make it stand out amongst its peers.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Lenovo Mirage Solo Headset
In the mobile VR category, the Mirage Solo shines bright. It gives a smooth virtual reality experience with the classic six-degrees of freedom (6DoF). Its inside out sensors allow you to easily move around using the Google Daydream platform, which Google has since discontinued.
If you prefer using just the headset to immerse yourself into your favorite virtual reality game or movie, you will like the Solo. It is a great option for all those extended gaming and movie binge watching sessions as its battery power is one the best in the category. Its weight may become an issue though. At launch, the Mirage Solo was one of the heaviest headsets on the market, at a reported 22.7 ounces (about 645 g).
At launch, the affordable price coupled with high quality mobile VR was hard to miss, and the Solo was a good way to try out VR as a package in itself. Today, with Daydream discontinued, a current standalone headset is the better way in. No need to get other accessories such as a pricey vr compatible pc or smartphone to power the headset.
The headset has two front-facing cameras that allow you to enable WorldSense tracking.
The area in which you can move is limited though. If you step outside the small tracked area, the game pauses until you are back inside the perimeter.
Presenting the Lenovo Mirage Solo
Google and Lenovo collaborated to come up with this wireless headset. The headset was designed to get its games and apps from the Daydream section of the Google Play Store. Since Google ended Daydream support in 2020, that catalogue gets no new content, and some apps have been withdrawn.
You get a strong screen resolution of 2560 x 1440 with picture perfect graphics. The Mirage Solo comes with a robust Snapdragon 835 processor that is a leg up on the Oculus Go model.
What’s in the Box
When unboxing the Lenovo Mirage Solo Headset, you should see the below items:
- Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream
- Wireless Daydream Motion Controller
- USB Type-C Cable
- Travel Adapter
- 3.5mm VR optimized earphones
Apart from all the accessories, you will find the below items to help you get started:
- User manual
- Quick start guide
- Warranty Card
Specification
The Lenovo Mirage Solo Headset comes in the color white and grey with dimensions of 10.6 x 8 x 7.1 inches with a 5.5” screen size. Its operating system is Daydream 2.0 with a screen resolution of QHD 2560×1440. You get a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and can expand the memory by inserting a microSD card in the card slot.
The processor, RAM, storage, display resolution and 4,000 mAh battery match the published specifications; the dimensions, screen size, weight, field of view and battery-life rating come from Lenovo’s launch materials and could not be rechecked.
Key controls are positioned on the headset so you can use the Volume key, adjustment dial, and quick release button quite easily.
Pros
- Completely standalone VR headset
- Cable free and phone free setup
- Great inside out tracking sensors technology
Cons
- Limited motion controls
- Tracking space is small
- Daydream platform discontinued; no new apps or platform updates
The Solo offers a customized audio jack to fit in the 3.5mm VR optimized earphones included with the headset.
Features and Benefits
Battery
When it comes to VR devices, battery life is a big deal. The Lenovo Mirage Solo comes with a 4,000-mAh battery and was rated by Lenovo for about 2.5 hours with continuous use. I used it for watching vr videos and also played some games and it lasted for a full 3 hours.
VR Experience
I have to say that the Solo has robust visuals with good detailing and color display.
With the WorldSense Motion Tracking technology, I was able to conveniently move around in my virtual reality world with six degrees of freedom.
The space for moving around is limited, though.
Design
One great thing about the Lenovo Mirage Solo Headset is the fact that it’s wireless.
At launch, you could connect the headset to Wi-Fi and download games, apps and other content from the Daydream store.
The headset is designed to be light and is adjustable with a balanced load distribution.
There is no friction or strain against your nose when you wear it. You can also adjust the headset to make sure it’s a comfortable fit for your head.
I quite like the feature of the thick foam cushion on the set made of breathable fabric.
Its shape has a curve that nicely rest on the natural curve of your forehead.
Display
The headset is 5.5” with an LCD display type. According to Lenovo’s launch specifications, there are two Fresnel-aspheric lenses with a 110-degree field of view, and it offers a color depth of 16.7 million. The resolution is the most impressive thing about the headset since it’s a QHD 2560×1440. The display resolution is the same as that of the Oculus Go.
There are dual 6-Degrees-of-Freedom Tracking cameras built-in that help track every movement you make while wearing the headset.
Audio
The device comes with a pair of 3.5mm VR optimized earphones. This is great because the earphones are specially designed for this headset and make the audio very immersive.
Controller
It comes with a single 3DoF controller. Though it is quite lightweight, you get only rotational directions.
I found the touchpad to be extremely responsive. It allowed me to return to the home screen with a single press. To reset the headset setting and orientation, give the touchpad, a single long press.
There is a set of volume buttons that sit along the right side of the controller and a USB Type-C port at the bottom of the controller so you can easily charge it.
Contents
When this review was written, over 250 Daydream apps were available for the Lenovo Mirage Solo headset.
The apps include gaming to VR travel and even live events. Some of the most notable apps include:
- Hulu
- YouTube
- At Bat VR
- Discovery VR
- Need for Speed VR
- CNN
Note: This app list is historical. Google stopped supporting Daydream in 2020, and Hulu removed its Daydream VR app before also dropping PSVR, Oculus Go and Windows headsets in June 2020. We could not confirm which of the other apps listed can still be installed on the Mirage Solo.
Creating your content for the Lenovo Mirage Solo was easy too. With the Mirage Camera, a 180-degree 3D VR camera that records in 4K, you can create your content and upload it to the Solo to view. Once content is ready, you can send it directly to friends or upload it onto YouTube. The Mirage Camera was sold separately.
Setup
Setting up the headset is relatively simple. Since it is a standalone headset, you don’t need to attach any other pc or smartphone to it. To set up your headset, you need to do the following:
- Charge your headset and controller.
- Find a roomy space to play the VR application or game.
- Start up your device by holding the power button until the LED lights up and wait for the LED light to stop flashing.
- Check your eyes-to-lens distance and correct it as necessary.
- Equip the headset by using the knob on the back on the headset to adjust to your head size.
- Follow the on-screen prompts and pair the controller.
- Your headset is ready to go.
What Did Other People Think about It?
I noticed that many reviews were quite positive about the Lenovo Mirage Solo. Most reviewers liked the robust battery life, smart design and the fact that it is a standalone headset. Many users appreciated the Daydream platform and its user-friendly interface.
They found that the device fit well and didn’t move around on the head too much. Other reviewers enjoyed that the headset had a long battery life that lasted between two to three hours, which is rare for a VR headset.
Alternatives from the Original Review
When this review was written, three headsets were the obvious alternatives to the Lenovo Mirage Solo. All three have since been discontinued, so read this section as a historical comparison; our current picks are in What to buy instead today.
PlayStation PSVR
Note: Sony stopped making the original PS VR in 2024, according to Wikipedia’s PlayStation VR entry; its successor, PlayStation VR2, is on sale and requires a PlayStation 5.
The PlayStation PSVR transports you into a new world and spoils you for choice with its more than 200 games and apps library. You can add in the controllers that are similar to the ones that come with the Mirage Solo, though you will need to get the bundle at an additional cost.
The PSVR differs from the Solo as it requires the Playstation Console to operate and the DualShock 4 controller to use it.
With key specifications like a 5.7-inch OLED screen, integrated microphone, accelerometer, and gyroscopes the specs for the PSVR would delight you if compared to the Lenovo Mirage Solo headset. The 100-degree field of view helps to get an immersive experience.
The PSVR has some of the top-rated games when it comes to virtual reality games. Some of the titles and apps available at the time included (Hulu has since withdrawn its PSVR app):
- Hulu
- YouTube
- Until Dawn: Rush of Blood
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Jackal
- Spiderman: Homecoming VR
| PSVR | Lenovo Mirage Solo | |
|---|---|---|
| Controller | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless | No | Yes |
| Console or PC required | Yes (PS4 or PS5) | No |
| Headphones included | Yes | Yes |
PSVR was an excellent headset for anybody who loves both gaming and using a variety of apps. PSVR is a total package if you prefer using controllers and playing on a tethered console.
At the time, most of the newly released top-rated VR games came to the PSVR; today an avid console gamer should look at the PS VR2 instead. You will require a bigger budget though as the PS4 console and the VR controllers, both will be needed with the headset to get a fantastic VR experience.
Oculus Go
Note: Facebook discontinued the Oculus Go in 2020 and stopped accepting new Go apps and app updates on 4 December 2020, so the app library described here is frozen.
The Oculus Go is a standalone headset, similar to the Mirage Solo. It offers 3 degrees of freedom with a resolution of 2560×1440 on a 5.5-inch screen. I found it to be a useful feature for enhancing the resolution, but it did make the headset quite jerky, even nauseous at times.
With a weight of 468g, the device is lightweight and easy to wear for a prolonged period. When it comes to storage space, the Oculus Go gives you two options, 32GB or 64GB.
You get high-quality video and audio on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 mobile platform. It also consumes less power and can easily become your must-have travel accessory. It is portable and can be easily lugged around without the need to pack in any additional wires or other equipment.
The unique feature of the Oculus Go is the built-in audio. Spatial audio is the sound system that comes with the device. It elevates the immersive sound experience without the addition of any headphones. If you’re not a fan of the built-in headphones, the Oculus Go also comes with a 3.5 mm audio jack where you can plug in your favorite pair.
At the time, the Oculus Go offered over 1000 apps, movies, games, and short-form VR experiences, that scores over the Lenovo library. Some of the best apps and games to use for the Oculus include:
- YouTube
- Netflix
- Facebook 360
- Catan VR
- End Space
| Oculus Go | Lenovo Mirage Solo | |
|---|---|---|
| Controller | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless | Yes | Yes |
| Console or PC required | No | No |
| Headphones included | No | Yes |
Both Oculus Go and Mirage Solo are standalone headsets with prices positioned in the same range. I found their controllers to be quite similar too.
If you loved hanging out with your friends, the Go offered a Viewing with Friends feature, which allows users to meet up with their buddies in a virtual world. You could also view live sports or television shows on the go.
HTC Vive Pro
Note: HTC told UploadVR in 2020 that the original Vive Pro was end of life. Unlike the Mirage Solo, it is a PC VR headset: it needs a VR-ready PC and is tethered by cable unless you add a separate wireless adapter.
The HTC Vive Pro is a remastered and pricier version of the Vive. You get an OLED display with 1440×1600 pixels per eye and a wide field of view.
It is lightweight and easy to wear. To get the perfect fit with the Vive Pro, you use a small knob on the back of the headset to tighten or loosen it into place. A great addition to the Vive Pro is the built-in headphones. I like the fact that they have comfortable padding to allow for extended gaming sessions.
You can buy the two HTC Lighthouse sensors and VR controllers separately, though it can become steep.
The Viveport subscription offered loads of apps, games and video; titles at the time included:
- Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
- Spider-Man: Homecoming VR
- The Last Day Defense
- VR Chat
- Amaze: VR Movies and Videos
| HTC Vive Pro | Lenovo Mirage Solo | |
|---|---|---|
| Controller | Sold separately | Yes |
| Wireless | No (optional adapter) | Yes |
| Console or PC required | Yes (VR-ready PC) | No |
| Headphones included | Yes (built in) | Yes |
The HTC Vive Pro is a fantastic headset with a lot of great features, but the high price tag may disappoint. The comfort factor and extended hours of game time are the best things in the Vive Pro.
If you were willing to spend more on a great PC VR experience, the Vive Pro was the one to get. With the headphones built into the headset, your experience will undoubtedly be delightful, every time you get them on.
What to Buy Instead Today
If you want what the Mirage Solo promised, a headset that works without a PC, phone or cables and lets you move around, the current equivalent is a standalone headset with 6DoF tracking and two tracked controllers. As of September 2026, Meta lists these US prices on its comparison page, following a price increase on 19 April 2026:
| Headset | US price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Quest 3S (128 GB) | $349.99 | The closest replacement at a similar price to the Solo’s $399 launch price |
| Meta Quest 3S (256 GB) | $449.99 | More storage for games and video |
| Meta Quest 3 (512 GB) | $599.99 | Sharper display and lenses |
Our Meta Quest 3 vs Quest 3S comparison covers the differences. If you own a PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2 is the console option; Sony also sells a PC adapter for it.
Conclusion
The Lenovo Mirage Solo Headset offered an immersive VR experience without being tied down by wires, and it didn’t require any other equipment or accessory to operate.
Due to the adjustable straps and lever that helps secure the headset to your face, it offers a comfortable fit for everyone without the issues of continually having to adjust. The battery life was one of the best features for this headset since it can hold a charge for two to three hours, which was uncommon for VR headsets at the time.
Today, though, Daydream is discontinued and the Solo no longer receives platform updates, so we would only recommend it to collectors or to someone who already owns one; for everyone else, a Meta Quest 3S is the sensible replacement. If you still want to look up the Lenovo Mirage Solo, see the listing here.
Sources
- Google Daydream (Wikipedia)
- Google Daydream View is no longer available from the Google Store (9to5Google)
- Google drops Daydream VR support with Android 11 (GSMArena)
- Hulu VR shutting down on PSVR, Oculus Go and Windows VR headsets (Road to VR)
- Oculus Go (Wikipedia)
- HTC discontinues Vive Pro and Focus (UploadVR)
- PlayStation VR (Wikipedia)
- PlayStation VR2 (PlayStation)
- An update on Meta Quest pricing (Meta)
- Compare Meta Quest headsets (Meta)
Explore the related guides in VR headsets.