Varjo XR-4: Difference between revisions

|Creator =

|Release Date = November 2023

|Price = $3,990 (XR-4 Standard Edition, no subscription)

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|Peak Brightness = 200 nits

|Face Tracking =

|Body Tracking =

|Latency = ~22ms (passthrough), less than 15ms (VR)

|Camera = 2× 20MP RGB, 1× 300k LiDAR sensor

|Wireless Video =

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The [[Varjo XR-4]] is a professional [[PC-Powered VR|PC-powered]] [[mixed reality]] and [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] announced on November 27, 2023, by [[Varjo|Varjo Technologies]]. Representing the fourth generation of Varjo's mixed reality technology, the XR-4 series eliminated subscription requirements, introduced inside-out tracking as standard, and offered professional-grade specifications at a revised price point for its class.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://varjo.com/press-release/varjo-releases-new-xr-4-series-to-deliver-mixed-reality-experiences-indistinguishable-from-natural-sight/|title=Varjo Releases New XR-4 Series to Deliver Mixed Reality Experiences Indistinguishable from Natural Sight|publisher=Varjo|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref>

The XR-4 development began in 2022 following feedback from [[Varjo XR-3]] customers and success of the subscription-free [[Varjo Aero]]. Key development goals included democratizing professional mixed reality, aiming for high visual fidelity in both virtual and passthrough modes, and eliminating external tracking requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/27/finnish-startup-varjo-launches-3990-xr-4-mixed-reality-headset.html|title=Finnish startup Varjo launches $3,990 XR-4 mixed reality headset|publisher=CNBC|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref>

51 PPD uniform resolution (vs dual-display system)

20-megapixel passthrough cameras (vs 12MP)

Inside-out tracking standard (vs external base stations)

Significant price reduction for the standard model with no subscription

Passthrough resolution of 33 PPD (Standard Edition) or 51 PPD (Focal Edition)

'''Resolution''': 3840×3744 per eye (14.8 megapixels total)

'''Pixel Density''': 51 pixels per degree (uniform)

'''Panel Type''': Fast-switching Mini-LED with local dimming

'''Brightness''': 200 nits sustained

'''Contrast''': 10,000:1 with local dimming

'''Color Gamut''': 96% DCI-P3, 98% sRGB

High-resolution passthrough system:

'''RGB Cameras''': Dual 20-megapixel global shutter sensors

'''Passthrough Resolution''': 33 PPD (XR-4 Standard Edition), 51 PPD (XR-4 Focal Edition, matching virtual content)

'''Frame Rate''': 90 fps with ~22ms latency

'''Dynamic Range''': 14 stops with HDR processing

'''Low Light''': ISO 25,600 equivalent sensitivity

'''Resolution''': 300,000 points (300 kpix)

'''Range''': 0.2m to 7m (extended from 5m)

'''Accuracy''': ±2mm at 1m distance

'''Frame Rate''': 30 fps depth updates (Note: some sources may vary)

'''Coverage''': 94° × 78° depth sensing FOV

'''Technology''': Liquid lens with 200Hz response

'''Focus Range''': 20cm to infinity

'''Eye-Coupled''': Focus follows gaze automatically

'''Latency''': <5ms focus adjustment

'''Applications''': Aims to solve vergence-accommodation conflict

'''Cameras''': 4× wide-angle tracking sensors

'''Algorithm''': Advanced SLAM with ML enhancement

'''Accuracy''': Sub-millimeter precision

'''Range''': 7-meter radius tracking volume

'''Persistence''': Remembers room layout

'''Technology''': Computer vision with neural networks

'''Fingers Tracked''': All 10 fingers with 21 points each

'''Latency''': 11ms hand-to-photon

'''Gestures''': Library of standard XR interactions

'''SDK''': Direct hand data access for developers

'''One-Time Purchase''': Starting at $3,990 for XR-4 Standard Edition

'''All Features Included''': No feature tiers within an edition

'''Free Updates''': Lifetime software support

'''Professional Tools''': Full SDK access

'''Device Management''': Configure all settings

'''Performance Monitoring''': Real-time diagnostics

'''User Profiles''': Save multiple configurations

'''Cloud Sync''': Settings backup and restore

'''Unity Plugin''': Native XR-4 features

'''Unreal Engine 5''': Full integration with Nanite/Lumen

'''OpenXR Extensions''': Varjo-specific features

'''NVIDIA Omniverse''': RTX rendering support

All core features

20MP passthrough (33 PPD)

300k LiDAR

$3,990

All Standard features plus:

Liquid lens autofocus system

Enhanced eye tracking data

[[TAA]]/[[BAA]] compliant

Secure boot process

Offline operation mode

Manufactured in secure facility

ITAR-free for international use

'''OS''': Windows 10 version 20H2 or Windows 11

'''CPU''': Intel Core i9-11900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (or comparable)

'''GPU''': NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, RTX 3080, RTX 2080 Ti, or NVIDIA RTX A5000 (or comparable AMD GPU)

'''RAM''': 32 GB DDR4-3200

'''Storage''': 1 TB NVMe SSD

'''USB''': Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C with DP Alt Mode

'''CPU''': Intel Core i9-13900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X

'''GPU''': NVIDIA RTX 4090 or RTX 6000 Ada

'''RAM''': 64 GB DDR5

'''Storage''': 2 TB NVMe Gen4 SSD

'''[[BMW Group]]''': Full vehicle design in MR

'''[[Stellantis]]''': Global design collaboration

'''[[Rimac Automobili]]''': Hypercar development

'''[[Polestar]]''': Sustainable material visualization

Design reviews with physical clay models

Ergonomics testing with real drivers

HMI development and testing

Virtual showrooms with real products

'''[[Cleveland Clinic]]''': Surgical planning in MR

'''[[Karolinska Institute]]''': Medical education

'''[[Brainlab]]''': Image-guided surgery

'''[[Siemens Healthineers]]''': MRI/CT visualization

Pre-operative planning with patient data

Medical device training

Anatomy education with cadavers

Rehabilitation therapy

'''[[Zaha Hadid Architects]]''': Parametric design review

'''[[AECOM]]''': Infrastructure visualization

'''[[Trimble]]''': BIM integration

'''[[Autodesk]]''': Native Revit support

'''[[Lockheed Martin]]''': F-35 maintenance

'''[[Saab]]''': Gripen pilot training

'''[[BAE Systems]]''': Ship design review

'''Various contractors''': Classified programs

'''Price Point''': $3,990 for the standard edition was a notable reduction from the previous XR-3.

'''No Subscription''': Praised by enterprise customers.

'''Feature Set''': Considered comprehensive for its price in the professional market.

'''Availability''': Global launch in 40+ countries.

Professional reviews were generally positive, highlighting advancements:

'''[[UploadVR]]''': "Professional MR at prosumer pricing" (Note: "prosumer pricing" is relative to the high-end professional market)

Passthrough quality is a key focus, with Varjo aiming for experiences "indistinguishable from natural sight," though user experiences may vary.

Autofocus system (Focal Edition) "game-changing" for MR.

Price/performance ratio considered strong for the professional segment.

Ergonomics significantly improved.

High PC requirements remain.

No wireless option at launch.

Hand tracking, while improved, may occasionally lose precision.

Limited battery for future standalone use (if such a version were developed).

'''NVIDIA CloudXR''': RTX server rendering

'''5G Support''': Ultra-low latency streaming

'''Edge Computing''': Local cloud deployment

'''Multi-User''': Synchronized MR sessions

'''Passthrough Enhancement''': AI upscaling and denoising

'''Hand Tracking''': Neural network gesture recognition

'''Eye Tracking''': Predictive gaze estimation

'''SLAM''': ML-assisted tracking robustness

'''Dual-Element Lenses''': Reduced aberrations

'''Coating Technology''': 99.5% light transmission

'''Edge-to-Edge Clarity''': <2% distortion at edges

'''Pancake Design''': Considered but rejected for quality

'''Quality Control''': 100% optical calibration

'''Lead Time''': 5-day average shipping

'''Customization''': OEM versions available

'''Sustainability''': Carbon neutral facility

'''Display Panels''': BOE (custom Mini-LED)

'''Cameras''': Sony (IMX sensors)

'''LiDAR''': Proprietary Varjo design

'''Lenses''': ZEISS (coating technology)

'''XR-4 Advantages''': Higher virtual resolution, PC-powered performance for demanding applications, established professional ecosystem, potentially more robust tracking for certain professional use cases.

'''Vision Pro Advantages''': Standalone operation, advanced consumer-facing OS and apps, highly integrated hand/eye tracking for its interface.

'''XR-4 Advantages''': Significantly higher resolution, professional-grade tools and support, superior passthrough fidelity (especially Focal Edition).

'''Quest Advantages''': Standalone, much lower price, larger consumer content library.

'''XR-4 Advantages''': Higher resolution, generally superior passthrough quality, more advanced eye tracking.

'''Vive Advantages''': Standalone option, lower price point.

Standalone version in development

Wireless adapter planned for 2025

8K per eye displays in testing

AI copilot for enterprise applications

Set a new benchmark for professional MR features at its price point.

Reinforced the demand for 50+ PPD for detailed professional use.

Accelerated inside-out tracking adoption in the professional space.

Validated the no-subscription model for enterprise hardware.

Gaze-driven autofocus for XR (Focal Edition).

20MP+ passthrough cameras.

300k+ point LiDAR integration.

Uniform high-PPD displays.

[[Mixed reality]]

[[Varjo|Varjo Technologies]]

[[Varjo XR-3]]

[[Varjo Aero]]

[[Apple Vision Pro]]

[[LiDAR]]

[[Inside-out tracking]]

[[Foveated rendering]]

[[TAA compliance]]