Sony showcases VR headset prototype with 4K display

We’ve seen a range of new advanced VR headsets come onto the market in recent times. The latest company to make a splash is Sony who this week showcased some of the work they’ve been doing on a new 4K OLED display. This display will form the core of their new VR headset prototype.  It certainly caught the attention of many in the industry and gave everyone a good peek into what Sony has been working on.

What was showcased?

Sony’s footage showed a few engineers interacting with a new VR headset prototype that features two 4K microdisplays that utilize new low latency technology to provide incredible performance. In fact, you essentially have an 8K display because both of your eyes are seeing in 4K.  What’s even more impressive is that all of this was achieved in a form factor that is orders of magnitude smaller and lighter than most other VR displays on the market.

The improved resolution means that even when a user is getting very close to an object in virtual space, they don’t end up being pulled out of the immersion because they can see the pixels. The higher quality graphical integrity combined with very low latency will provide a seamless VR experience for all sorts of different use cases.

This technology is still very clearly in the prototype stage. So we aren’t expecting to see this in the next version of the PlayStation VR setup, but it does signal strong intentions for the company to continue innovating in the space – and deliver a VR headset that pushes the boundaries of what is currently possible.

What does this mean for Sony?

Sony maintains an incredibly loyal fan base in terms of their gaming audience and with VR playing such a big role in the future of the industry. This shows that Sony is working hard to stay on the cutting edge of what is possible.

If we look at the bigger picture though, Sony’s deep investment in the space is going to cause a ripple effect across all the other VR players – both in the business space and the consumer landscape.  In the race to make these headsets as small and light as possible, prototypes like this create the sort of competition that will push the technology forward and encourage all players to continue innovating.

It’s also not out of the question for Sony to use their VR skills to then enter the business sphere – where there is so much opportunity to leverage the technology.  There are rumours that Sony might be heading towards entering the metaverse and providing more than just gaming – but also virtual communication, 3D engineering models, practical training, and more. This could become a brand new revenue opportunity for the company and it’s certainly not something that we should ignore.

We’re excited to see what comes of this new headset and what reaction we’ll see from the other major players after seeing the form factor that Sony seems to have achieved.