PSVR 2, Sony’s next VR headset, is due for release in late 2022. But how does this new headset compare to the Japanese tech giant’s first foray into virtual reality, the PlayStation VR headset?
O PlayStation VR2 – as we now know it’s officially called – will be a dramatic improvement over the original PSVR’s specs. Sony says it will provide a more immersive experience that will allow gamers to escape into gaming worlds like never before. Considering that the original PSVR already felt immersive – especially for those experiencing VR for the first time – this is certainly exciting.
But if you already have the PSVR, released in October 2016, how is Sony’s next-gen VR headset likely to compare to its predecessor? We don’t have all the details on PSVR 2 yet, but below we’ll compare them based on everything we’ve discovered so far. That way, you can decide whether PSVR 2 will be worth the upgrade when it launches later this year.
PSVR 2 vs PSVR: Price and release date
Sony has yet to reveal the price of the PSVR 2, but we can refer back to the launch of the original PlayStation VR for a vague idea of where the next-gen headset might fall when it comes to price.
The original price for a complete PSVR package was $499 (£399, about AU$650); however, that’s considerably more than consumers might want to pay, especially if they’ve already spent on a PS5 that costs $499 (£449 / AU$795).
The price of the PSVR has dropped considerably since its launch, and the starter pack now retails for $200 / £259 / AU$420. That’s a little cheaper than the price of the extremely popular Oculus Quest 2 which typically retails for £299 / $299 / AU$479, but that’s not a surprise considering the age of Sony’s headset.
With the PSVR 2 set to feature impressive specs, we don’t expect to see Sony’s new headset drop below its $499 starting price from 2016, and we expect it to drop into a higher bracket than the previous model.
PSVR 2 vs PSVR: Design and Features
After many months of waiting, Sony has finally revealed what will the PSVR 2 headset look like – and is very similar to the original PSVR design. It promises to be lighter, thinner and includes a ventilation port to keep you cool while gaming. We don’t have the exact dimensions of the headset yet, but Sony said it’s a touch lighter than the PSVR, which was roughly 600 grams.
PSVR 2 comes with two new controllers, the PlayStation VR2 Sense, which includes adaptive trigger and haptic feedback Support, support. It also uses 4K HDR OLED panel, with a resolution of 2000 x 2040 per eye. The refresh rate is 90Hz – 120Hzwith a 110 degree field of view, as well as foveated rendering.
PSVR 2’s new sensory capabilities, as Sony calls it, combine eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D audioand the PSVR 2 Sense controller to create a deeper sense of immersion. A motor built into the headset will add an additional tactile element, which can replicate your character’s pulse during tense moments, or the rush of objects passing through your head. There’s also a lens adjustment dial and the option to adjust the scope area so it’s closer to or further away from your face.
Sony’s new VR headset will happily reduce the number of wires, with the PSVR 2 only requiring a single cable, but unfortunately it’s not wireless like the Oculus Quest 2. It’s also unclear whether the PSVR 2 will include a housing. circuit breaker like the original, but we hope it connects directly to the PS5 this time around.
PSVR 2 vs PSVR: specs
The PSVR 2, as you might expect, is much more capable than the original headset and is also being powered by the PS5. Sony has shared the full specs of the PlayStation VR2 at CES 2022that you find below.
| PSVR 2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| display method | OLED |
| panel resolution | 2000 x 2040 per eye |
| Panel refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| lens separation | Adjustable |
| Field of vision | About. 110 degrees |
| sensors | Motion sensor: six-axis motion detection system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)) |
| Cameras | 4 cameras for headphone and controller tracking, IR camera for eye for eye tracking |
| Comments | Vibration in the earphone |
| Communication with PS5 | USB Type-C |
| audio | Input: Built-in microphone, Output: Stereo headphone jack |
Compare the PSVR 2’s specs to the original PSVR and it’s clear that Sony’s new headset is a generational leap over Sony’s first effort. The panel’s resolution is, in particular, drastically lower than that of PSVR 2, which is thankfully much improved. You can see the full PSVR specs below.
| PSVR Specifications | |
|---|---|
| display method | OLED |
| panel resolution | 960x 1080 per eye |
| Panel refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| lens separation | Adjustable |
| Field of vision | About. 100 degrees |
| sensors | Motion sensor: six-axis motion detection system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)) |
| Cameras | N/A |
| Comments | N/A |
| Communication with PS5 | through an adapter |
| audio | Input: Built-in microphone, Output: Stereo headphone jack |
| VR headset dimensions | About. 187×185×277 mm (width × height × length, excludes largest projection, headband on shortest). About. 600g (excluding cable). |
| processor unit | About. 150 x 39 x 114 mm (width × height × length, excludes largest projection). About. 300g |
PSVR 2 vs PSVR: Games
Sony has already revealed the first PSVR 2 game, Horizon Call of the Mountain, which sees Guerilla Games’ popular Horizon series get its own VR spin-off. Several games are also in development for Sony’s new headset, and we expect to see many of the most popular VR games such as Beat Saberget updated versions that take advantage of the most powerful hardware in PlayStation VR2 and PS5.
It is worth noting that the older PSVR headset It’s backward compatible with the PS5 if you request a free adapter from Sony. If you don’t mind having the latest specs, it might be worth buying the cheap high-end version to see if VR in general is something you like and try the earlier versions.
We don’t know if PSVR 2 will let you play older PSVR games in it, but we sincerely hope that it is indeed a retrograde capability. You will almost certainly not be able to play PSVR 2 specific games on PlayStation VR.
PSVR 2 vs PSVR: Verdict
Of course, Sony’s PSVR 2 is a huge step up from the original device, but whether or not it will capture a large enough audience is another matter, especially since PlayStation 5 consoles are still incredibly difficult to buy. PSVR wasn’t exactly a very popular add-on, selling around 6 million units in total, although it was clearly successful enough to continue its journey into VR.
The PSVR 2 is sure to appeal to those already on board with VR, and with an impressive list of specs and some smart features, Sony’s second attempt at making VR more popular could be well worth it.
