Varjo XR-4
The Varjo XR-4 is an enterprise mixed reality head-mounted display developed by Varjo, released in 2024 starting at €3,990. The world's highest resolution mixed reality headset, the XR-4 features 4K x 4K per eye displays delivering 51 pixels per degree across 28 million total pixels, 120° × 105° field of view, dual 20 MP passthrough cameras, 300 kpx LiDAR depth sensing, 200 Hz eye tracking, and automatic IPD adjustment. Targeting professionals in aviation, defense, engineering, and medical fields, the XR-4 delivers ultra-high fidelity virtual and mixed reality experiences.
| Varjo XR-4 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | Enterprise XR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Varjo Base |
| Developer | Varjo |
| Manufacturer | Varjo |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Price | €3,990 (XR-4) / €9,990 (Focal Edition) / €7,990-€13,990 (Secure Edition) |
| Website | https://varjo.com/ |
| Predecessor | Varjo XR-3 |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | Mini-LED LCD |
| Resolution | 4K x 4K per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 120° × 105° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Passthrough | Dual 20 MP cameras |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR + inside-out) |
| Eye Tracking | 200 Hz integrated |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Spatial audio speakers |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
| Weight | 665g (headset) + 356g (headband) |
History and Development
Varjo announced the XR-4 series in 2024 as their next-generation flagship mixed reality headset, succeeding the XR-3. The XR-4 was developed for demanding professional applications requiring photorealistic visual fidelity. Varjo was selected as the XR technology provider for the U.S. Army's Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer program, using XR-4 headsets for immersive helicopter pilot training.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Industry-leading resolution:
- 4K x 4K per eye resolution
- 28 million total pixels
- 51 PPD (pixels per degree)
- Mini-LED LCD technology
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 120° × 105° field of view
- 96% DCI-P3 color accuracy
- 98% sRGB coverage
- 200 nits brightness
- Local dimming
- Industrial-grade color accuracy
Optics
- Full-dome aspheric lenses
- Variable resolution design
- Consistent clarity across FOV
- Custom Varjo optical design
Eye Tracking
Precision gaze tracking:
- 200 Hz gaze tracking
- 1-degree accuracy
- Dynamic foveated rendering
- Gaze-directed autofocus (Focal Edition)
- Performance optimization
Passthrough Cameras
High-fidelity mixed reality:
- Dual 20 MP cameras
- 35 PPD passthrough (standard)
- 51 PPD passthrough (Focal Edition)
- Fixed focus (standard)
- Autofocus (Focal Edition)
LiDAR
- 300 kpx depth sensing
- Up to 7m range
- Accurate spatial mapping
- Occlusion handling
Tracking
Dual tracking options:
- SteamVR tracking
- Inside-out tracking
- 6DoF positional
- No base stations required (inside-out mode)
IPD
- Automatic IPD adjustment
- 56mm – 72mm range
- Personalized fit
Audio
- Integrated spatial audio speakers
- Dual noise-canceling microphones
- 3.5mm audio jack
Comfort
- Zero-gravity comfort system
- Replaceable cushions
- 665g headset weight
- 356g headband weight
Editions
| Edition | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| XR-4 | Fixed-focus cameras, 35 PPD passthrough | €3,990 (~$4,300) |
| XR-4 Focal Edition | Autofocus cameras, 51 PPD passthrough | €9,990 (~$11,000) |
| XR-4 Secure Edition (Fixed) | TAA certified, classified use | €7,990 (~$8,700) |
| XR-4 Secure Edition (Autofocus) | TAA certified, autofocus | €13,990 (~$15,200) |
Applications
Professional Use Cases
- Aviation training
- Military simulation
- Engineering visualization
- Medical training
- Design review
- Scientific visualization
Notable Deployments
- U.S. Army helicopter pilot training
- Defense simulation systems
- Automotive design
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 4K x 4K per eye |
| Total Pixels | 28 million |
| PPD | 51 |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| FOV | 120° × 105° |
| Eye Tracking | 200 Hz |
| Passthrough | 20 MP cameras |
| LiDAR | 300 kpx (7m range) |
| IPD | 56-72mm (auto) |
| Weight | 665g + 356g |
| Price | €3,990 - €13,990 |
Reception
Praise:
- 4K x 4K highest resolution available
- 51 PPD retina-level clarity
- 120° × 105° FOV wide
- 20 MP passthrough excellent
- LiDAR depth sensing accurate
- 200 Hz eye tracking precise
- Auto IPD convenient
- Professional build quality
- Zero-gravity comfort system
- U.S. Army selected
Criticism:
- €3,990-€13,990 enterprise pricing
- 90Hz only (vs 120Hz consumer)
- Very high PC requirements
- Not consumer accessible
- Heavy (1kg+ total)
- Enterprise focus only
- Tethered PC required
- SteamVR base stations optimal[2]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Varjo XR-4". Varjo. https://varjo.com/products/xr-4.
- ↑ "Varjo XR-4". IEEE Spectrum. https://spectrum.ieee.org/varjo-xr-4.