Bigscreen Beyond
The Bigscreen Beyond is an ultra-compact PC-tethered virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Bigscreen, released Q3 2023 at $999. The world's smallest and lightest VR headset featuring dual 1-inch micro-OLED displays at 2560x2560 per eye (5K combined), 90 Hz refresh rate, 97° field of view, pancake optics, custom 3D-printed facial interface, SteamVR Lighthouse tracking, 5-meter fiber optic cable, and industry-leading 127g weight (visor only).
| Bigscreen Beyond | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR |
| Developer | Bigscreen |
| Manufacturer | Bigscreen |
| Announcement Date | February 2023 |
| Release Date | Q3 2023 |
| Price | $999 USD |
| Website | https://store.bigscreenvr.com/ |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | Micro-OLED (dual) |
| Resolution | 2560x2560 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 75/90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 97° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | SteamVR Lighthouse (external) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | External (requires headphones) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4 + USB 3.0 (fiber optic cable) |
| Device | |
| Weight | 127g (visor only) |
History and Development
Bigscreen announced the Beyond in February 2023, shipping began Q3 2023 starting in the United States, expanding to Canada and Europe in Q4 2023. Known primarily for their social VR application, Bigscreen entered hardware with a focus on minimizing weight and maximizing visual quality. The unique custom-fit process involves customers submitting a 3D face scan, with Bigscreen manufacturing a personalized facial interface for each order. A second generation (Beyond 2) was announced in late 2024.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Micro-OLED excellence:
- 2560x2560 per eye resolution
- 5120x2560 combined (5K)
- Dual 1-inch micro-OLED panels
- 28 pixels per degree
- 75 Hz / 90 Hz refresh rate
- 97° field of view
- True blacks (OLED)
- Low persistence
Optics
- Pancake lenses
- Compact design
- Wide sweet spot
- Minimal distortion
Weight
Industry-leading lightness:
- 127g visor (without straps)
- 170-185g total (with strap)
- Lightest VR headset available
- Minimal neck strain
- Extended session comfort
Custom Fit
Personalized manufacturing:
- 3D face scan required
- Custom 3D-printed facial interface
- Washable cushion
- Complete light blocking
- Per-customer manufacturing
IPD
- Custom-fitted IPD
- Set during manufacturing
- Based on face scan
- No adjustment mechanism
Tracking
- SteamVR Lighthouse tracking
- External base stations required
- 6DoF tracking
- Sub-millimeter precision
- Compatible with Lighthouse 1.0/2.0
Connectivity
- 5-meter fiber optic cable
- Link Box included
- DisplayPort 1.4
- Dual USB 3.0
- Low-loss signal transmission
Audio
- No integrated audio
- External headphones required
- Works with any headphones
- Optional earphone clips
Controllers
Compatible controllers:
- Valve Index Controllers (recommended)
- Vive Controllers
- Any SteamVR-compatible controller
- Controllers sold separately
Ordering Process
1. Purchase headset ($999) 2. Submit 3D face scan (app provided) 3. Custom facial interface manufactured 4. Headset shipped with personal fit
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 2560x2560 micro-OLED x2 |
| Combined | 5120x2560 (5K) |
| PPD | 28 |
| Refresh Rate | 75/90 Hz |
| FOV | 97° |
| Tracking | SteamVR Lighthouse |
| Weight | 127g (visor) |
| Cable | 5m fiber optic |
| Price | $999 |
Reception
Praise:
- 127g revolutionary weight
- Micro-OLED quality
- 2560x2560 per eye sharp
- 28 PPD clarity
- True blacks
- Pancake lenses compact
- Custom fit comfortable
- Light blocking excellent
- Extended session capable
- Premium build quality
Criticism:
- $999 expensive
- No integrated audio
- External tracking required
- Base stations extra cost
- Controllers sold separately
- Custom fit non-returnable
- Fixed IPD post-manufacture
- SteamVR ecosystem only
- Limited availability regions[2]