Jump to content

Oculus Rift S

From VR & AR Wiki
Revision as of 03:10, 8 January 2026 by Betabot (talk | contribs) (Improving page with detailed specifications, history, features, and references)
Oculus Rift S
Basic Info
VR/AR Virtual Reality
Type Head-mounted display
Subtype PC VR
Platform Oculus Platform
Creator Oculus VR
Developer Oculus VR, Lenovo
Manufacturer Lenovo
Announcement Date March 20, 2019 (GDC 2019)
Release Date May 21, 2019
Price $399
Website https://www.meta.com/quest/rift-s/ (archived)
Versions Oculus Rift S
Requires Gaming PC with DisplayPort
Predecessor Oculus Rift CV1
Successor Meta Quest 2 (different category)
System
Operating System Windows 10/11
Chipset N/A (tethered PCVR)
CPU N/A (PC-powered)
GPU N/A (PC-powered)
Storage
Storage N/A
Memory N/A
SD Card Slot No
Display
Display Single fast-switch LCD
Subpixel Layout RGB stripe
Peak Brightness ~100 nits
Resolution 1280 × 1440 per eye (2560 × 1440 combined)
Pixel Density ~14 PPD
Refresh Rate 80Hz
Persistence Low persistence
Image
Field of View 88°
Horizontal FoV ~88°
Vertical FoV ~88°
Average Pixel Density ~14 PPD
Peak Pixel Density ~14 PPD
Foveated Rendering No
Optics
Optics Next-generation Fresnel lenses
Ocularity Binocular
IPD Range 63.5mm (fixed, software adjustment 58-72mm)
Adjustable Diopter No (glasses compatible)
Passthrough Yes (grayscale, via cameras)
Tracking
Tracking 6DoF inside-out (Oculus Insight)
Tracking Frequency 60Hz (cameras)
Base Stations None required
Eye Tracking No
Face Tracking No
Hand Tracking No
Body Tracking No
Rotational Tracking Yes
Positional Tracking Yes
Update Rate 80Hz
Tracking Volume Room-scale
Play Space Roomscale
Latency <20ms motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio Integrated speakers (in headband)
Microphone Yes (integrated)
3.5mm Audio Jack Yes
Camera 5× inside-out tracking cameras
Connectivity
Connectivity DisplayPort, USB 3.0
Ports DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0
Wired Video Yes (DisplayPort)
Wireless Video No
WiFi No
Bluetooth No
Power USB-powered
Battery Capacity N/A
Battery Life N/A (tethered)
Charge Time N/A
Device
Dimensions ~220mm × 180mm × 130mm
Weight 500g (without cable)
Material Plastic
Headstrap Halo-style strap with dial adjustment
Haptics Controller haptics
Color Black
Sensors 5× inside-out cameras, IMU, proximity sensor
Input Oculus Touch controllers
Compliance FCC, CE
Cable Length 5 meters

Property "Successor" (as page type) with input value "Meta Quest 2]] (different category)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Latency" (as page type) with input value "" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.


The Oculus Rift S is a PC VR head-mounted display co-developed by Oculus VR and Lenovo, announced at GDC on March 20, 2019, and released on May 21, 2019 at a price of $399. Positioned as a streamlined successor to the Oculus Rift CV1, the Rift S represented Oculus's transition from external sensor-based tracking to inside-out tracking via the "Oculus Insight" system, using five cameras embedded in the headset to track both head and controller position without external hardware. The headset featured a single LCD panel with 2560 × 1440 combined resolution (40% more pixels than CV1), improved lenses reducing god rays, and a more comfortable halo-style headstrap. While the Rift S offered a simpler setup experience, it was criticized for its fixed 63.5mm IPD, reduced 80Hz refresh rate (down from CV1's 90Hz), and integrated audio that many found inferior to CV1's detachable headphones. The Rift S was discontinued in April 2021 as Oculus focused entirely on the standalone Quest platform.

History and Development

Oculus Rift CV1 Limitations

The original Oculus Rift CV1 (2016) established Oculus in the consumer VR market but had notable drawbacks:

  • Required external USB sensors for tracking
  • Complex multi-sensor setup for room-scale
  • Multiple USB ports consumed
  • HDMI + USB connection
  • Relatively low resolution

Lenovo Partnership

Oculus partnered with Lenovo to develop Rift S:

  • Lenovo's manufacturing expertise
  • Halo headstrap design from Lenovo Explorer
  • Inside-out tracking development
  • Cost-effective production

Inside-Out Tracking Transition

Rift S pioneered Oculus's move to inside-out:

  • Five cameras for comprehensive coverage
  • "Oculus Insight" tracking system
  • Same approach as Quest (announced simultaneously)
  • Foundation for future Oculus products

GDC 2019 Announcement

Announced alongside Oculus Quest at GDC 2019:

  • Positioned as PC VR evolution
  • Same price as original Rift ($399)
  • Simplified setup emphasized
  • Available May 2019

Discontinuation

Oculus discontinued Rift S in April 2021:

  • Quest 2 + Link replaced dedicated PC VR
  • Standalone platform became primary focus
  • End of dedicated PC-only Oculus headsets

Design and Form Factor

Halo Headstrap

Borrowed from Lenovo Explorer WMR headset:

  • Halo ring supports back of head
  • Weight distributed across forehead
  • Dial adjustment at rear
  • Quick donning and doffing

Build Quality

Consumer-grade construction:

  • Plastic housing
  • Fabric touches on headband
  • Functional durability
  • Lightweight at 500g

Glasses Compatibility

Improved accommodation:

  • More space for eyeglasses
  • Adjustable depth (eye relief)
  • Better than CV1 for glasses wearers

Display Technology

Single LCD Panel

Different approach from CV1's dual OLEDs:

  • Type: Fast-switch LCD (same as Oculus Go)
  • Resolution: 2560 × 1440 total (1280 × 1440 per eye)
  • Pixels: ~40% more than CV1
  • Subpixels: RGB stripe (vs. CV1's PenTile OLED)

Visual Quality

Improvements and trade-offs:

  • Sharper image due to RGB subpixels
  • Reduced screen door effect
  • Worse black levels than OLED
  • Better fill factor

Refresh Rate

  • 80Hz (down from CV1's 90Hz)
  • Controversial reduction
  • Adequate for most users
  • Some motion sensitivity

Lenses

"Next-generation" Fresnel design:

  • Reduced god rays vs. CV1
  • Better sweet spot
  • Improved edge clarity
  • Still some visible artifacts

IPD

Fixed physical IPD with software adjustment:

  • Physical: Fixed at 63.5mm
  • Software: 58-72mm range
  • Many users outside optimal range
  • Significant criticism point

Tracking System

Oculus Insight

Five-camera inside-out tracking:

  • Front: Two cameras
  • Sides: Two cameras
  • Top: One camera (unique to Rift S)

Camera Placement

Fifth camera addressed Quest limitations:

  • Better overhead tracking
  • Improved compatibility with Rift titles
  • Reduced dead zones
  • More reliable than 4-camera Quest

Tracking Quality

Generally positive reception:

  • Reliable room-scale tracking
  • Good controller tracking volume
  • Some limitations at extremes
  • Adequate for most games

Guardian System

Safety boundaries:

  • Draw play space
  • Visual warnings
  • Passthrough mode available
  • Room-scale support

Controllers

Oculus Touch Controllers

Updated Touch design:

  • Similar to Quest controllers
  • Ring moved above hand
  • Same button layout as CV1 Touch
  • Haptic feedback
  • AA battery power

Controller Improvements

Over CV1 Touch:

  • Better grip ergonomics
  • Improved tracking ring
  • Inside-out compatible design

Audio System

Integrated Audio

Speakers built into headstrap:

  • Open-back design
  • Positioned above ears
  • Convenient but criticized
  • Inferior to CV1's detachable headphones

Audio Quality Complaints

Common criticism:

  • Less immersive than CV1
  • Less bass response
  • Sound leakage
  • Not removable

3.5mm Jack

Alternative audio:

  • Use preferred headphones
  • Improved audio possible
  • Many users preferred this option

Connectivity

Simplified Cable

Single cable design:

  • DisplayPort 1.2 + USB 3.0
  • 5-meter length
  • Improved over CV1's HDMI + USB
  • No additional sensor cables

PC Requirements

  • DisplayPort 1.2 (required)
  • USB 3.0
  • GPU: GTX 1050 Ti minimum, GTX 1060 recommended
  • Windows 10

Reception and Criticism

Positive Points

  • Simplified setup (no external sensors)
  • Improved resolution and clarity
  • Better comfort for many users
  • Reduced god rays
  • Same price as CV1

Criticism

  • Fixed IPD (63.5mm only)
  • 80Hz refresh rate (vs. CV1's 90Hz)
  • Inferior integrated audio
  • LCD blacks vs. OLED
  • Tracking dead zones at extremes

Market Position

Caught between:

  • CV1 users preferring OLED and 90Hz
  • Quest users wanting standalone freedom
  • Valve Index launching at higher end
  • Short product lifecycle

Comparison with CV1

Feature Rift S Rift CV1
Resolution 2560×1440 2160×1200
Display Type LCD OLED
Refresh Rate 80Hz 90Hz
Tracking Inside-out (5 cameras) External sensors
IPD Fixed 63.5mm 58-71mm adjustable
Audio Integrated speakers Detachable headphones
Setup Simple (no sensors) Complex (USB sensors)
Price $399 $399 (at discontinuation)

Legacy

Tracking Technology

Oculus Insight tracking from Rift S influenced:

  • Quest tracking system
  • Quest 2 implementation
  • Industry-wide inside-out adoption

End of PC-Only Oculus

Rift S was the last dedicated Oculus PC headset:

  • Quest with Link replaced PC VR strategy
  • Standalone became primary platform
  • PC VR via Quest tethering

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification Details
Display Single LCD, 2560 × 1440 combined
Per Eye 1280 × 1440
Refresh Rate 80Hz
FOV 88°
Tracking Oculus Insight (5 cameras)
IPD 63.5mm fixed
Audio Integrated speakers
Weight 500g
Connection DisplayPort + USB 3.0
Price $399

See Also

References

Retrieved from "https://vrarwiki.com/index.php?title=Oculus_Rift_S&oldid=37435"