Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) recently partnered with Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi to produce a Chinese variant of its upcoming Oculus Go VR headset. The Go, which was initially introduced last October, is a $199 stand-alone VR headset that doesn’t require a smartphone or PC. At the time, Facebook stated that it would start shipments in early 2018.
Xiaomi will produce a Chinese version called the Mi VR Standalone, which shares the same technology as the Oculus Go with support for Oculus’ mobile software developer kit.
Both devices will be powered by Qualcomm’s (NASDAQ:QCOM) Snapdragon 821 processor. With the exception of the Mi and Oculus logos, the two devices look identical.
How This Partnership Helps Facebook
Facebook has had a tricky relationship with China ever since its social network was blocked in 2009 following the Urumqi Riots. Facebook repeatedly expressed interest in returning to China, but prior attempts via Instagram and WhatsApp failed, and its “stealth” Colorful Balloons photo-sharing app flopped.
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