Looking for the best VR headsets coming in 2024? We’ve rounded up all the hottest options, including Valve’s Deckard, Quest 3 Lite, and more.
The launch of the Meta Quest 3 made VR more affordable and accessible than ever before, and Apple’s entry into the VR industry with the Vision Pro reinvigorated the industry and market for high-end headsets.
This newfound interest has other hardware manufacturers eager to get in on the action, with many big names like Google, Samsung and Valve said to have headsets in the works, and smaller companies with some very interesting projects in the works.
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Bigscreen Beyond VR headset
Big Screen Resolution per eye: 2560 x 2560 Refresh rate: 90Hz Field of view: 90 degrees Price: $999 Weight: 127g
The Bigscreen Beyond VR headset is the latest in a series of virtual reality software makers to branch out into hardware. The headset was announced earlier this year, with pricing, design, specs and key features confirmed, and it is expected to start shipping in May 2024.
This virtual reality headset features an OLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 2560 pixels per eye and a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. It’s extremely compact, weighing just 127 grams, and is priced at $999.
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When you pre-order a headset, the company will request a 3D scan of your face, which will be used to custom build a face cushion to your shape, and once the headset is in the shipping phase, it will be shipped directly to you.
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The headset comes with pancake lenses, making it compact and lightweight. It features a 90-degree viewing angle and fully supports Steam VR games. You can also use Bigscreen’s app to enjoy movies, play games, and hang out with friends in VR.
Valve Decard VR headset
Dexerto
The makers of Steam Deck are working on a successor to the Valve Index: the company has confirmed that it’s developing a second-generation VR headset, but hasn’t revealed any details yet.
Related:
Best Apple Vision Pro Alternatives in 2024
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The company is confident in virtual reality because it has the experience necessary to build new hardware and a library of games to take advantage of the capabilities of its new headsets.
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Valve’s game library and aggressive pricing have also contributed to the success of Valve handhelds, while the Valve Index headset was released in 2019 and is doing pretty well despite costing $1,000 for the complete kit.
Valve’s upcoming VR headset could be an exciting gadget to rival Bigscreen’s headset, which is likely to benefit from Valve’s library of games.
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Apple Vision Pro Lite
Apple Resolution per eye: 3660 x 3200 Refresh rate: up to 100Hz Field of view: 100 degrees Price: from $1,500 Weight: 600g
Since the launch of the Apple Vision Pro, rumors have surfaced that Apple is working on a cheaper, smaller version of the headset, with leaks claiming that the upcoming headset will be an “entry-level” version.
The main sticking point is the OLED display, which is the biggest factor behind the high price of the headset, and Apple is reportedly trying to find a cheaper alternative, possibly by finding a new supplier.
Rumors reported by online tipsters Technology Review It has been suggested that the entry-level Vision Pro could be priced around $1,500. As of now, there has been no official confirmation or announcement regarding a release date.
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Samsung and Google’s Project Moohan
AI image: Microsoft Resolution per eye: 4K Operating system: Android
According to various reports, Samsung and Google, who already work together on Android and Wear OS, are teaming up to take on Apple, and the result of this collaboration could be a powerful XR headset called Project Moohan.
The augmented reality (XR) headset may reportedly feature Samsung hardware (and branding), while Google is reportedly working on the Android XR software to power it, with both companies hoping to create a compelling headset to rival Apple’s Vision Pro.
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But teams at the two tech giants are reportedly frustrated by delays and fears they will create an inferior product.
On the hardware side, Google has had a number of failed AR-related products, including Google Glass, Cardboard, Daydream, Tango, and Iris. The company has had some success with software, including ARCore, Tilt Brush, and some AR Google Maps features.
That’s why Samsung is so keen to take control of the project and bring it to fruition.
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At this time, no one knows when Project Moohan will begin. South Korean newspapers reported that Samsung and Google had reset the project and postponed the launch.
According to the media, Samsung is currently planning to use a high-resolution screen for its XR headset that is comparable to the single-eye 4K (8K) display offered by Apple Vision Pro, which may delay the headset’s launch until mid-2024.
In May 2024, news surfaced that Google had partnered with mixed reality company Magic Leap in a deal specifically focused on Magic Leap’s optical technology. This could indicate that Google plans to integrate Magic Leap’s optical technology into Project Moohan, but this could further delay the project.
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At Samsung Unpacked in July 2024, Samsung president and head of the mobile experience business, T.M. Roh, mentioned “a new XR platform coming this year,” which is believed to be related to Project Moohan.
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Later, at the same event, Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of platforms and devices, confirmed that Google remains involved in the project.
Pico Project Swan
Pico Interactive
Pico is a small VR device manufacturer owned by ByteDance, whose upcoming Pico 5 has reportedly been discontinued in favor of a higher-end mixed reality device to rival Apple Vision Pro.
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Little is known so far about the device, other than that it is being developed under the code name “Project Swan.”
Pico 4S
Bytedance
Sales of the original Pico 4 headset didn’t meet parent company ByteDance’s expectations, so UploadVR reports that the company is going back to the drawing board for a smaller, lighter headset.
The Pico 4S is expected to come with an upgraded version of the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, similar to the one used in the Meta Quest 3. It will also come with 6GHz Wi-Fi capability and 12GB of RAM.
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Images of a “ring-less” VR controller were shared on Chinese social media sites, sparking speculation that the controller could be from either the Pico 4S or the aforementioned Project Swan headset.
Sony MR Headset
Sony Resolution per eye: 4K Processor: Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Display: 1.3-inch OLED
At CES 2024, Sony unveiled a new mixed reality (MR) headset. The unnamed headset will feature dual 4K OLED displays, a range of sensors that allow for real-world pass-through, and will be powered by a Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor.
Unlike the PSVR 2, this headset is a standalone unit and is said to be designed for developers rather than consumers. The headset has its own set of controllers, split into a “pointer” unit and an “interaction” unit.
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Early demos of the unit have been seen at a few trade shows, but it appears to still be in a work-in-progress state: UploadVR journalists got a hands-on demo at the Augmented World Expo, and noted that both the software and hardware are far from ready to ship.
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The headset is expected to be released in late 2024, but pricing has not yet been revealed.
Metaquest 3S
Panda VR / Pexels Resolution per eye: 1832 x 1920 Processor: Snapdragon XR Gen 2 Lens: Fresnel Price: Under $499.99
Although there is no official announcement regarding the Meta Quest 3S yet, several rumors continue to circulate.
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It’s generally believed that this headset, if it does in fact exist, will be a budget version of the existing Quest 3 headset.
Another leak from Lunayian in May 2024 said the Quest 3S would use the Fresnel lens from the Quest 2 and have a resolution of 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye, although the lower-priced model will feature the Quest 3’s full-color mixed reality pass-through.
The name has also been a topic of debate, with some sources calling it the Quest 3 Lite while others refer to it as the Quest 3S.
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Metaquest Pro 2
According to a report from Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu of The Information, Meta is working on a successor to the Quest Pro.
The Quest Pro 2 project has reportedly been in the works since November 2023, which coincides with the start of Meta’s partnership with LG to develop optical technology for future Meta headsets.
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Details are limited and unconfirmed, but a leaked roadmap suggests that the Quest Pro 2 will feature a higher resolution display but retain some of the design of the original Quest Pro. The Quest Pro 2 is also said to use Meta’s experimental “codec avatars.”
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The new HTC Vive
HTC
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2
HTC has hinted at its intentions to re-enter the consumer VR market with a new video posted by the company to the official HTC YouTube channel and other social media accounts.
The video, titled “HTC VIVE: A Vision for You,” shows a silhouette of the new headset, but gives away very little other information.
However, Qualcomm has confirmed that HTC is one of five companies using the new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, which is an upgrade over the XR2 Gen 2 currently used in the Meta Quest 3.
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