Arpara 5K
| Arpara 5K | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR, PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Android (AIO version) |
| Creator | Arpara |
| Developer | Arpara |
| Manufacturer | Arpara |
| Announcement Date | 2021 (Kickstarter) |
| Release Date | 2022 |
| Price | ~$600-900 |
| Website | https://www.arparaland.com/ |
| Versions | Arpara Tethered 5K, Arpara AIO 5K |
| Requires | PC (Tethered) / None (AIO) |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | None announced |
| System | |
| Operating System | Android (AIO), Windows (Tethered) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 (AIO) |
| CPU | Snapdragon XR2 (AIO), Host PC (Tethered) |
| GPU | Adreno (AIO), Host PC (Tethered) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 128GB+ (AIO) |
| Memory | 6GB+ (AIO) |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual 1.03-inch micro-OLED (SeeYA) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB |
| Peak Brightness | High |
| Resolution | 2560 × 2560 per eye (5120 × 2560 combined) |
| Pixel Density | 3514 PPI |
| Refresh Rate | 70Hz (5K), 90Hz (4K mode), 120Hz (lower res) |
| Persistence | Low persistence (2μs display response) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 95° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~95° |
| Vertical FoV | ~95° |
| Average Pixel Density | 32 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | 32 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Pancake lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 56-72mm |
| Adjustable Diopter | Yes (-1D to -5D) |
| Passthrough | Yes (AIO, grayscale) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (Tethered), 6DoF (AIO) |
| Tracking Frequency | 1ms sensor latency |
| Base Stations | Optional (SteamVR adapter) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (AIO) |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes (AIO), Optional (Tethered with adapter) |
| Update Rate | Up to 120Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale (AIO) |
| Play Space | Roomscale (AIO), Seated (Tethered base) |
| Latency | <3ms (sensor 1ms + display 2μs) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5mm audio jack |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 6 cameras (AIO for tracking/passthrough) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB-C (Tethered), Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (AIO) |
| Ports | USB-C, 3.5mm |
| Wired Video | Yes (USB-C) |
| Wireless Video | Yes (AIO) |
| WiFi | Yes (AIO) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (AIO) |
| Power | 4600mAh (AIO), USB-C powered (Tethered) |
| Battery Capacity | 4600mAh (AIO) |
| Battery Life | ~3 hours (AIO) |
| Charge Time | Not specified |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Compact visor |
| Weight | 200g (Tethered), 380g (AIO) |
| Material | Lightweight plastic |
| Headstrap | Adjustable strap |
| Haptics | Controllers only |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | IMU, cameras (AIO) |
| Input | Controllers, hand tracking (AIO) |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
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The Arpara 5K is a high-resolution virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Arpara, launched via a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2021 and shipping in 2022. Marketed as "the world's first 5K micro-OLED all-in-one VR headset," the Arpara line features dual 1.03-inch micro-OLED panels from SeeYA with 2560 × 2560 resolution per eye (5120 × 2560 combined), an exceptional 3514 PPI pixel density delivering 32 pixels per degree, and 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio with DCI-P3 90% / sRGB 127% color gamut—all at an ultra-low 2μs display response time for virtually zero motion blur. Available in two versions: the ultra-lightweight Tethered 5K (200 grams, 3DoF base) for PC VR, and the AIO 5K (380 grams) powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 with 6DoF inside-out tracking, hand tracking, and 4600mAh battery. Both versions feature a 95° field of view, 56-72mm IPD adjustment, built-in -1D to -5D diopter correction, and support for variable refresh rates up to 120Hz. An optional SteamVR tracking adapter enables full 6DoF with Valve Index controllers.
History and Development
Arpara Background
Company origins:
- Chinese VR startup
- Micro-OLED focus
- High-resolution priority
- Consumer and enthusiast target
Kickstarter Campaign
Crowdfunding success:
- 2021 launch
- Funding goals exceeded
- Community enthusiasm
- 5K micro-OLED first
2022 Shipping
Commercial release:
- Tethered and AIO versions
- Global availability
- Enthusiast reception
- High-resolution focus
SeeYA Displays
Display partnership:
- OLEDoS displays
- 1.03-inch micro-OLED
- High PPI achievement
- Premium panels
Design Philosophy
5K Micro-OLED First
Resolution priority:
- First 5K micro-OLED headset
- 2560 × 2560 per eye
- 3514 PPI achievement
- Clarity focus
Dual Architecture
Two versions:
- Tethered (ultra-light PC VR)
- AIO (standalone full-featured)
- User choice
- Flexibility
Ultra-Lightweight Tethered
Weight optimization:
- Only 200 grams
- Minimal internal complexity
- PC-powered
- Extended comfort
Premium Contrast
Micro-OLED benefits:
- 1,000,000:1 contrast
- True blacks
- HDR-capable
- Cinema quality
Display Technology
SeeYA Micro-OLED
Panel specifications:
- Panels: Dual 1.03-inch micro-OLED
- Resolution: 2560 × 2560 per eye
- Combined: 5120 × 2560 (5K)
- PPI: 3514 pixels per inch
Pixels Per Degree
Angular resolution:
- PPD: 32 pixels per degree
- Reduced screen door effect
- High clarity
- Text readable
Variable Refresh Rate
Performance modes:
- 70Hz (5K resolution)
- 90Hz (4K resolution)
- 120Hz (lower resolution)
- User selectable
Ultra-Low Latency
Response time:
- Display: 2μs response
- Sensor: 1ms latency
- Virtually zero blur
- Fast-motion excellent
Color Performance
Gamut specifications:
- DCI-P3: 90%
- sRGB: 127%
- Wide color gamut
- Accurate reproduction
Contrast Ratio
OLED excellence:
- Contrast: 1,000,000:1
- True blacks
- HDR capable
- Cinema-grade
Field of View
Wide FOV
Coverage:
- FOV: 95°
- Wide peripheral vision
- Immersive experience
- Standard VR coverage
Optics
Pancake Lenses
Optical design:
- Compact pancake lenses
- Slim form factor
- Weight reduction
- Quality imaging
Diopter Adjustment
Vision correction:
- Range: -1D to -5D
- Built-in adjustment
- No glasses for many
- Convenience
IPD Adjustment
Eye alignment:
- Range: 56-72mm
- Mechanical adjustment
- Wide compatibility
- Optimal clarity
Versions
Tethered 5K
PC VR version:
- Weight: 200 grams
- 3DoF base (rotation only)
- PC-powered via USB-C
- Optional SteamVR adapter for 6DoF
AIO 5K
All-in-one version:
- Weight: 380 grams
- Processor: Snapdragon XR2
- Tracking: 6DoF inside-out
- Cameras: 6 concurrent
- Battery: 4600mAh
Tethered 5K Details
Ultra-Light Design
Weight achievement:
- Only 200 grams
- Among lightest VR headsets
- PC handles processing
- Minimal internal hardware
3DoF Base
Standard tracking:
- Rotation only (3DoF)
- Seated/standing experiences
- Video playback
- Simple content
SteamVR Upgrade
Optional 6DoF:
- SteamVR tracking adapter
- Valve Index controller compatible
- Full room-scale
- 6DoF upgrade path
AIO 5K Details
Snapdragon XR2
Standalone power:
- Same chip as Quest 2
- 6DoF inside-out tracking
- Hand tracking support
- 8K video decode
6-Camera Array
Tracking system:
- 6 concurrent cameras
- Positional tracking
- Hand tracking
- Passthrough AR
Battery
Power specifications:
- Capacity: 4600mAh
- Life: ~3 hours
- High-capacity
- Extended sessions
Comparison with 5K Headsets
| Feature | Arpara 5K | HP Reverb G2 | Varjo Aero |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560×2560/eye | 2160×2160/eye | 2880×2720/eye |
| Display | Micro-OLED | LCD | Mini-LED LCD |
| PPI | 3514 | N/A | N/A |
| PPD | 32 | ~24 | 35 |
| FOV | 95° | 114° | 115° |
| Weight | 200g/380g | 498g | 500g |
| Contrast | 1,000,000:1 | Standard LCD | Standard LCD |
| Price | $600-900 | $449 | $1,990 |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 5K resolution (2560×2560 per eye)
- 3514 PPI micro-OLED
- 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- Ultra-lightweight tethered (200g)
- 2μs display response (zero motion blur)
- DCI-P3 90% / sRGB 127% color
- Built-in diopter adjustment
- Variable refresh up to 120Hz
Limitations
- Tethered version 3DoF only (base)
- SteamVR adapter required for 6DoF
- 95° FOV (narrower than some)
- Smaller brand/ecosystem
- Limited availability
- AIO heavier (380g)
- Kickstarter-originated (delivery concerns)
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Tethered 5K | AIO 5K |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Dual 1.03" micro-OLED | Dual 1.03" micro-OLED |
| Resolution | 2560 × 2560/eye | 2560 × 2560/eye |
| PPI | 3514 | 3514 |
| PPD | 32 | 32 |
| Refresh | Up to 120Hz | Up to 120Hz |
| Tracking | 3DoF (6DoF optional) | 6DoF inside-out |
| Processor | PC | Snapdragon XR2 |
| Weight | 200g | 380g |
| Battery | N/A | 4600mAh |
| Price | ~$600 | ~$900 |