Bigscreen Beyond 2

The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is a lightweight PC-powered virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) developed and manufactured by Bigscreen Inc.. Announced on March 21, 2025, it is the successor to the custom-molded Bigscreen Beyond (2023). The second-generation headset retains the company’s “smallest and lightest” design philosophy while adding adjustable optics, a wider field of view (FOV), improved brightness, and an optional eye-tracking edition called the Beyond 2e. At 107 grams—around one quarter the mass of a Meta Quest 3—it is marketed as one of the lightest commercially announced PC VR headsets.

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	21 March 2025
Release Date	June 2025 (first shipments expected)
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 (with eye-tracking)
Requires	VR-ready PC, SteamVR Base Stations, VR Controllers
Predecessor	Bigscreen Beyond
System
Operating System	Windows 10 or 11 (PC requirement), Headset is a PC peripheral
Storage
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Dual 1-inch Micro-OLED
Subpixel Layout	RGB stripe
Peak Brightness	Improved over Bigscreen Beyond
Resolution	2560 × 2560 per eye (5120 × 2560 total)
Pixel Density	Each pixel 7.2 μm wide
Refresh Rate	75 Hz (native), 90 Hz (upscaled via DSC from 1920 × 1920)
Persistence	Nanoseconds response times
Image
Field of View	116° diagonal
Horizontal FoV	108°
Vertical FoV	96°
Foveated Rendering	Yes (Beyond 2e only, via eye tracking)
Optics
Optics	Custom single-element pancake lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	53mm – 70mm mechanical adjustment (accommodates 48mm – 75mm user IPD)
Passthrough	No
Tracking
Tracking	SteamVR Tracking, (Outside-in via SteamVR 1.0 or 2.0 base stations, 6DoF)
Base Stations	Required (SteamVR 1.0 or 2.0, not included)
Eye Tracking	Yes (Beyond 2e only)
Hand Tracking	Supported via SteamVR compatible controllers
Rotational Tracking	Yes
Positional Tracking	Yes
Tracking Volume	Dependent on SteamVR Base Stations setup
Play Space	Dependent on SteamVR Base Stations setup
Latency	Low-latency eye-tracking (on Beyond 2e)
Audio
Audio	Bigscreen Audio Strap, or user's own headphones
Microphone	Not included (available with optional Audio Strap or user's setup)
3.5mm Audio Jack	No (on headset; Link Box may feature one)
Camera	No (Beyond 2e has tiny infrared cameras for eye-tracking)
Connectivity
Connectivity	5 m fiber-optic tether to Link Box
Ports	Link Box: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB 3.0; Headset: USB-C accessory port
Wired Video	DisplayPort
Power	USB powered from PC
Device
Dimensions	143.1 mm (L) x 52.4 mm (W) x 24 mm - 49.2 mm (D) (headset only)
Weight	107 grams (headset only, without straps or face pad)
Material	Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer shell
Headstrap	Soft strap (included), Audio Strap (optional), Halo Mount (optional, Q3 2025)
Haptics	No
Color	Carbon Black, Crystal Clear, Nuclear Orange
Sensors	Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Eye-tracking sensors (on Beyond 2e)
Input	Requires separate VR controllers, Valve Index Controllers
Cable Length	5 meters

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.

The device comes in two variants: the standard Beyond 2 and the Beyond 2e, which includes eye tracking capabilities. Both models require SteamVR base stations for 6DoF 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. The company, with fewer than 40 employees, released the original Bigscreen Beyond in 2023, which gained attention for being the smallest and lightest VR headset available at the time.

Following the launch of the first Bigscreen Beyond, the company aimed to address community feedback and further push the boundaries of VR immersion. The Beyond 2 was developed with a focus on significantly enhancing visual clarity and FOV through new pancake lenses, while also making the headset more shareable and comfortable.

Key Milestones

Date	Milestone
September 26, 2023	Original Bigscreen Beyond ships worldwide
March 21, 2025	Bigscreen Beyond 2 and eye-tracking Beyond 2e announced
April 2025	Pre-orders open internationally
June 2025	First customer units scheduled to ship (North America & Europe)

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 printed circuit board (PCB) design flaw affecting controller tracking, the first shipments were delayed to June 2025.

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.

Design and Features

Form Factor and Comfort

The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is notable for its extremely small form factor, with the headset body measuring 143.1 mm (L) x 52.4 mm (W) x 24 mm - 49.2 mm (D). It is CNC-milled from a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer shell. The headset weighs 107 grams (without straps or face pad), a 16% reduction from the original Beyond.

A custom-fit cushion, generated from an iPhone face scan, is required for optimal fit, similar to its predecessor. For improved shareability and users without a compatible phone, Bigscreen plans to release an optional universal-fit Halo Mount in Q3 2025. This mount is designed to rest on the forehead, potentially eliminating the need for a custom face scan and allowing for eye relief and tilt adjustments. The headset is available in three colorways: Carbon Black, Crystal Clear, and Nuclear Orange.

Optics and Display

The Beyond 2 features a new custom single-element pancake lens design. Bigscreen states these provide "dramatic improvements over Beyond 1 with total edge-to-edge clarity and a very large sweet spot." The new optics also aim to reduce lens glare and enhance brightness. The headset boasts a 116° diagonal FOV (108° horizontal, 96° vertical).

It utilizes two 1-inch Micro-OLED displays, each with a resolution of 2560x2560 pixels per eye (over 13.1 million pixels total) and an RGB stripe subpixel layout. Each pixel is 7.2 μm wide, and the displays feature nanosecond response times. The headset supports two refresh rate modes:

• 75 Hz mode: Displays native 2560 × 2560 resolution per eye.
• 90 Hz mode: Uses Display Stream Compression (DSC) to compress the signal to 1920 × 1920 per eye, then upscales to 2560 × 2560.

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 using a small hex tool (the "IPD Tool") that allows users to independently adjust each lens position. The mechanical adjustment range is 53mm to 70mm, accommodating users with IPDs from 48mm to 75mm due to the large sweet spot of the lenses. This adjustment mechanism is designed to be ultralight.

Tracking

The Bigscreen Beyond 2 uses the SteamVR Tracking standard (Version 1.0 or 2.0) for 6DoF rotational tracking and positional tracking. This requires external SteamVR Base Stations, which are not included. It supports standard SteamVR accessories, such as body trackers and controllers like Valve Index Controllers.

Eye Tracking (Beyond 2e)

The Beyond 2e variant includes integrated eye tracking. This system adds only 1.05 grams to the headset's weight and uses AI-powered computer vision with tiny, grain-of-sand-sized infrared cameras for low-latency, privacy-focused tracking. It is integrated with SteamVR, OpenXR, and platforms like VRChat, enabling features like avatar eye-gaze. A beta program for foveated rendering in collaboration with Valve and Nvidia is planned for Summer 2025.

Weight Comparison

Headset Weight Comparison (without straps/face pads)

Headset	Weight
Bigscreen Beyond 2	107 grams
Bigscreen Beyond (original)	127 grams
Meta Quest 3	Approx. 397 grams (headset only, estimated from total weight)
Apple Vision Pro	Approx. 478 grams (headset only, estimated from total weight)

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.

Beyond 2e

The Beyond 2e variant includes all features of the standard model plus integrated eye tracking. It 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:

• Bigscreen Audio Strap: An optional strap with integrated on-ear speakers.
• Third-party headphones or earbuds (can be connected to the PC or potentially a 3.5mm jack on the Link Box).

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.

Other Accessories

• Custom-fit cushions (require iPhone face scan)
• Prescription lens inserts
• 5-meter fiber optic cable (included)
• Link box (included)
• IPD Adjustment Tool (included)
• Cleaning Cloth (included)

What's in the Box

The standard Bigscreen Beyond 2 package includes:

• Bigscreen Beyond 2 Headset
• Soft Strap
• IPD Adjustment Tool
• Fiber Optic Cable (5 meters)
• Link Box
• Cleaning Cloth

Compatibility

The Beyond 2 maintains full compatibility with accessories from the original Beyond, including:

• Straps
• Cushions
• Cables
• Prescription lenses (Prescription lens inserts manufactured before 2025 are compatible with the Beyond 2 but not the Beyond 2e, while inserts manufactured in 2025 and later are compatible with all models).

System Requirements

• VR-ready PC
  • OS: Windows 10 or 11
  • CPU: Quad Core Intel or AMD (minimum)
  • RAM: 16GB (minimum)
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (or newer, must support DisplayPort 1.4 and DSC)
  • Ports: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x USB 3.0
• SteamVR Base Stations (1.0 or 2.0, required, not included)
• Compatible VR controllers (such as Valve Index Controllers, not included)

Target Audience

The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is designed for VR enthusiasts and professionals who prioritize high-quality visuals, a wide field of view, and an exceptionally lightweight form factor for extended comfort. It is particularly suited for applications such as flight simulation, sim racing, gaming, and virtual collaboration where visual fidelity and low weight are paramount. The reliance on external SteamVR Tracking and the need for users to provide their own controllers and audio solution make it ideal for those with existing SteamVR setups or those seeking a highly customizable, high-performance PC VR experience.

Reception

Early hands-on impressions praised the Beyond 2's improved optics, wider field of view, and reduced weight. UploadVR's Ian Hamilton noted the lenses were "clear to the edges with fewer distracting internal reflections" and called them "the world’s best pancake optics" with a "very large sweet spot." Road to VR highlighted the reduced glare compared to the original Beyond.

The headset's sales performance exceeded expectations, with the company reporting record-breaking pre-orders that led to initial batches selling out within hours. Some users and reviewers have noted the ongoing reliance on external base stations and controllers (which add to the overall cost if not already owned) and the 90 Hz mode's use of upscaling as potential drawbacks for some users, especially when compared to standalone headsets with inside-out tracking.

Images

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See Also

• Bigscreen Beyond
• Micro-OLED
• SteamVR
• PC VR
• Pancake lens
• Valve Index
• Meta Quest 3
• Apple Vision Pro