Varjo VR-3
| Varjo VR-3 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | Enterprise VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Varjo Base |
| Developer | Varjo |
| Manufacturer | Varjo |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Price | $3,395 USD + subscription ($795/year) |
| Website | https://varjo.com/ |
| Predecessor | Varjo VR-2 |
| Successor | Varjo Aero |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | Bionic Display (dual resolution) |
| Resolution | 1920x1920 (focus) / 2880x2720 (peripheral) per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 115° |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Non-Fresnel custom lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | SteamVR (outside-in, required) |
| Eye Tracking | 200 Hz integrated |
| Hand Tracking | Ultraleap Gemini |
| Audio | |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
| Color | 99% sRGB, 93% DCI-P3 |
The Varjo VR-3 is an enterprise virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Varjo, released in 2021 at $3,395 plus annual subscription ($795/year). Featuring Varjo's signature Bionic Display with human-eye resolution (70 PPD / 1920x1920 in focus area), 115° field of view (widest in Varjo lineup at release), integrated 200 Hz eye tracking, Ultraleap Gemini hand tracking, automatic IPD adjustment, active cooling, and color calibration to 99% sRGB. Targeting professional simulation, training, design, and research requiring photorealistic visual fidelity.
History and Development
Varjo announced the VR-3 alongside the XR-3 (mixed reality variant) in late 2020, shipping in 2021. The VR-3 represented a major improvement over the VR-2, doubling peripheral resolution and expanding FOV from 87° to 115°. Varjo pioneered the Bionic Display concept, combining high-resolution focus displays with wider peripheral displays for human-eye resolution where it matters. A Varjo subscription is required for operation, positioning it firmly in enterprise markets.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Bionic Display technology:
- Focus area: 1920x1920 per eye at 70 PPD
- Peripheral area: 2880x2720 per eye at 35 PPD
- Human-eye resolution in focus
- Gradual resolution blend
- 2x improvement vs VR-2 peripheral
Color Calibration
Professional-grade color:
- 99% sRGB
- 93% DCI-P3
- Factory calibrated
- Color-critical applications
Refresh Rate
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- Smooth motion
- Low latency
Field of View
- 115° FOV
- Widest Varjo FOV (at release)
- 87° → 115° improvement vs VR-2
Eye Tracking
Industry-leading precision:
- 200 Hz eye tracking
- World's fastest VR eye tracking
- Foveated rendering
- Gaze analytics
- Automatic focus area positioning
Hand Tracking
- Ultraleap Gemini integrated
- Fifth-generation hand tracking
- First Gemini integration in VR
- Commercial use licensed
- Natural hand interaction
Optics
- Custom non-Fresnel lenses
- Ultra-wide design
- Reduced distortion
- Edge clarity
IPD
- Automatic IPD adjustment
- Eye tracking powered
- Optimal fit for all users
Comfort
- Active cooling system
- Extended session comfort
- 3-point precision headband
- All head shapes/sizes
Tracking
- SteamVR base stations required
- No inside-out tracking
- Professional precision
Subscription Model
Requirements
- Valid EIN/TAX ID (enterprise only)
- Varjo account per user
- Annual subscription required
Pricing
- Hardware: $3,395
- Subscription: $795/year
Software Compatibility
- Unity
- Unreal Engine
- OpenXR 1.0
- Autodesk VRED
- PREPAR3D
- VBS Blue IG
- Professional 3D platforms
Applications
Industries
- Training and simulation
- Design and engineering
- Medical and healthcare
- Research
- Automotive design
- Aerospace
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Focus Display | 1920x1920 per eye |
| Focus PPD | 70 |
| Peripheral Display | 2880x2720 per eye |
| Peripheral PPD | 35 |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| FOV | 115° |
| Eye Tracking | 200 Hz |
| Hand Tracking | Ultraleap Gemini |
| Color | 99% sRGB, 93% DCI-P3 |
| Price | $3,395 + $795/yr |
Reception
Praise:
- 70 PPD human-eye resolution
- 115° FOV widest Varjo
- 200 Hz eye tracking fastest
- Ultraleap Gemini integrated
- Automatic IPD convenient
- Active cooling effective
- 99% sRGB professional color
- Foveated rendering performance
- Non-Fresnel lenses clear
- Research-grade quality
Criticism:
- $3,395 + subscription expensive
- Enterprise-only focus
- Base stations required
- No inside-out tracking
- Subscription mandatory
- Heavy for consumer use
- High PC requirements
- Not consumer accessible
- 90Hz only[2]