Bigscreen Beyond 2
| Bigscreen Beyond 2 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC-Powered VR |
| Platform | SteamVR |
| Creator | Darshan Shankar |
| Developer | Bigscreen Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Bigscreen Inc. |
| Announcement Date | March 2025 |
| Release Date | June 2025 |
| Price | $1,019 USD (Beyond 2), $1,219 USD (Beyond 2e) |
| Website | https://store.bigscreenvr.com/products/bigscreen-beyond-2 |
| Versions | Beyond 2, Beyond 2e |
| Requires | VR-ready PC, SteamVR Base Stations, VR Controllers |
| Predecessor | Bigscreen Beyond |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Storage | |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual Micro-OLED |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Resolution | 2560 × 2560 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz, 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 116° diagonal |
| Horizontal FoV | 108° |
| Vertical FoV | 96° |
| Foveated Rendering | Yes (Beyond 2e only) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Pancake lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Adjustable (mechanical) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | SteamVR Tracking |
| Base Stations | Required (SteamVR 1.0 or 2.0) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (Beyond 2e only) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | Compatible with SteamVR Trackers |
| Rotational Tracking | 3DOF |
| Positional Tracking | 6DOF |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Room-scale |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Not included (requires separate audio solution) |
| Microphone | Not included |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Ports | DisplayPort |
| Wired Video | DisplayPort |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | USB powered |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (powered by PC) |
| Battery Life | N/A |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Weight | 107 grams (without straps or face pad) |
| Headstrap | Soft strap (included), Audio Strap (optional), Halo Mount (optional) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Carbon Black, Crystal Clear, Nuclear Orange |
| Input | Requires separate controllers |
| Cable Length | 5 meters (fiber optic cable) |
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The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is a PC-powered virtual reality headset developed and manufactured by Bigscreen Inc.[1] Announced in March 2025 at GDC 2025, it is the successor to the Bigscreen Beyond and is marketed as the world's smallest and lightest VR headset.[2]
Overview
The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is a high-end virtual reality headset designed for enthusiasts and professionals who prioritize visual quality and comfort in extended VR sessions. The headset features dual Micro-OLED displays with a resolution of 2560 × 2560 pixels per eye and weighs only 107 grams without straps or face pad, making it significantly lighter than most consumer VR headsets.[3]
The device comes in two variants: the standard Beyond 2 and the Beyond 2e, which includes eye tracking capabilities.[1] Both models require SteamVR base stations for tracking and a VR-ready PC to operate, as they do not include onboard processing capabilities.
History and Development
Bigscreen Inc., founded by Darshan Shankar in 2014, initially focused on developing social VR software before entering the hardware market.[4] The company released the original Bigscreen Beyond in 2023, which gained attention for being the smallest and lightest VR headset available at the time.
The Beyond 2 was first revealed at GDC 2025 in March, where press and attendees were given hands-on demonstrations.[5] The headset was made available for pre-order immediately following the announcement.
Launch and Delays
Initial shipping was scheduled for April 2025 for the Beyond 2 and May 2025 for the Beyond 2e. However, due to a PCB design flaw affecting controller tracking, the first shipments were delayed to June 2025.[6]
Despite the delay, the Beyond 2 experienced exceptional initial sales, with Bigscreen reporting that it sold more units in the first 24 hours than the original Beyond sold in its first six months.[7]
Technical Specifications
Display Technology
The Bigscreen Beyond 2 utilizes dual 1-inch Micro-OLED displays, each with a resolution of 2560 × 2560 pixels per eye.[8] The displays feature an RGB stripe subpixel layout, which eliminates the screen door effect common in lower-resolution VR headsets.
The headset supports two refresh rate modes:
- 75 Hz mode: Displays native 2560 × 2560 resolution per eye for maximum sharpness
- 90 Hz mode: Uses Display Stream Compression (DSC) to compress the signal to 1920 × 1920, then upscales to 2560 × 2560[1]
Optics
One of the most significant upgrades in the Beyond 2 is its new pancake lens system. Bigscreen claims these are "the world's best pancake optics" with the following improvements over the original Beyond:[1]
- Wider field of view (116° diagonal, 108° horizontal, 96° vertical)
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Large sweet spot
- Reduced glare and internal reflections
Weight and Ergonomics
| Headset | Weight (without straps) |
|---|---|
| Bigscreen Beyond 2 | 107 grams |
| Bigscreen Beyond (original) | 127 grams |
| Meta Quest 3 | 397 grams |
| Apple Vision Pro | 478 grams |
The Beyond 2's ultra-light design is achieved through the use of compact Micro-OLED displays and minimal housing materials. The headset requires a custom-fit face pad based on an iPhone face scan, similar to the original Beyond model.[1]
Interpupillary Distance (IPD) Adjustment
Unlike the original Beyond, which was manufactured in 18 different fixed IPD sizes, the Beyond 2 features mechanical IPD adjustment. This is accomplished through an innovative system using a small hex tool (called the "IPD Tool") that allows users to independently adjust each lens position.[5]
Variants
Beyond 2
The standard Beyond 2 model includes all core features except eye tracking. It is priced at $1,019 USD, with a discounted price of $849 for owners of the original Beyond.[9]
Beyond 2e
The Beyond 2e variant includes all features of the standard model plus integrated eye tracking. The eye tracking system adds only 1.05 grams to the headset weight and uses AI-powered computer vision for low-latency tracking.[7] The Beyond 2e is priced at $1,219 USD, or $1,049 for Beyond 1 owners.
Accessories
Audio Solutions
The Beyond 2 does not include built-in audio. Users can choose from:
- Audio Strap: An optional strap with integrated speakers
- Third-party headphones or earbuds
Mounting Options
- Soft Strap: Included with the headset
- Halo Mount: An optional accessory launching in Q3 2025, inspired by night vision goggles, featuring fine-tuned controls for tilt and eye relief[9]
Other Accessories
- Custom-fit cushions (require iPhone face scan)
- Prescription lens inserts
- 5-meter fiber optic cable (included)
- Link box (included)
Compatibility
The Beyond 2 maintains full compatibility with accessories from the original Beyond, including:[10]
- Straps
- Cushions
- Cables
- Prescription lenses (with some exceptions for Beyond 2e)
System Requirements
- VR-ready PC with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or higher recommended[5]
- DisplayPort 1.4
- USB port for power
- SteamVR base stations (1.0 or 2.0)
- Compatible VR controllers (such as Valve Index Controllers)
- Windows operating system
Reception
Early hands-on impressions praised the Beyond 2's improved optics and reduced weight. UploadVR's Ian Hamilton noted the lenses were "clear to the edges with fewer distracting internal reflections."[1]
The headset's sales performance exceeded expectations, with the company reporting record-breaking pre-orders that led to the initial batches selling out within hours.[11]
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 UploadVR. "Bigscreen Beyond 2 Has Clearer, Wider, Adjustable Lenses And Optional Eye Tracking". March 20, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "uploadvr-announcement" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Bigscreen Store. "The world's smallest VR headset: ultra-light form factor weighing just 107 grams with an unbelievable 116° field of view and eyetracking". Accessed March 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "store-page" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ TechEBlog. "Bigscreen Beyond 2 takes virtual reality to the next level, and weighs just 107g". March 21, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "techeblog" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Crunchbase. "Founded by Darshan Shankar in 2014, Bigscreen is a venture-backed startup creating an immersive virtual reality platform". Accessed March 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "crunchbase" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 UploadVR. "When Bigscreen's founder told us he was bringing the sequel to the Beyond PC VR headset to GDC 2025, we booked a flight immediately to try it". March 21, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "uploadvr-handson" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ UploadVR. "Bigscreen Beyond 2's first shipping batches have been delayed to June, or late May if things go well, due to a PCB design flaw". April 27, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "uploadvr-delay" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 7.0 7.1 UploadVR. "Bigscreen says it sold more Beyond 2 headsets in the first 24 hours than it did Beyond 1 in its first 6 months". March 21, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "uploadvr-sales" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ FlatpanelsHD. "Over 13.1 million pixels are packed into two 1-inch OLED displays in an RGB striped layout". Accessed March 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "flatpanelshd" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 9.0 9.1 Road to VR. "The headsets are priced at $1,019 (Beyond 2) and $1,219 (Beyond 2e), although Bigscreen is discounting that for previous owners of the original Beyond". March 21, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "roadtovr" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Bigscreen Store. "Use your straps, cushions, lenses, and cables from the Beyond 1 with your Beyond 2". Accessed March 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "store-upgrade" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ The Ghost Howls. "In 25 minutes, the Beyond 2 had already surpassed the sales the Beyond 1 had on its whole launch day". March 26, 2025. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "ghost-howls" defined multiple times with different content