Systems and methods for providing video content using spatially adaptive video encoding. Panoramic and/or virtual reality content may be viewed by a client device using a viewport with viewing dimension(s) configured smaller than available dimension(s) of the content. Client device may include a portable media device characterized by given energy and/or computational resources. Video content may be encoded using spatially varying encoding. For image playback, portions of panoramic image may be pre-encoded using multiple quality bands. Pre-encoded image portions, matching the viewport, may be provided and reduce computational and/or energy load on the client device during consumption of panoramic content. Quality distribution may include gradual quality transition area allowing for small movements of the viewport without triggering image re-encoding. Larger movements of the viewport may automatically trigger transition to another spatial encoding distribution.