Varjo XR-4

Varjo XR-4
Basic Info
VR/AR	Mixed Reality, Virtual Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	PC-Powered VR
Platform	SteamVR, OpenXR
Developer	Varjo
Manufacturer	Varjo
Announcement Date	November 27, 2023
Release Date	December 2023 (first shipments)
Price	$3,990 (XR-4 Standard Edition, launch price); pricing on request as of October 2025
Website	https://varjo.com
Versions	XR-4, XR-4 Focal Edition, XR-4 Secure Edition
Requires	High-end PC
Predecessor	Varjo XR-3
System
Operating System	Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
Storage
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Mini-LED
Subpixel Layout	RGB
Peak Brightness	200 nits
Resolution	3840×3744 per eye
Pixel Density	51 PPD
Refresh Rate	90 Hz (120 Hz experimental)
Persistence	Low persistence
Precision	Sub-pixel precision
Image
Field of View	120° × 105° (H×V)
Horizontal FoV	120°
Vertical FoV	105°
Visible FoV	120° × 105°
Rendered FoV	120° × 105°
Binocular Overlap	105°
Average Pixel Density	51 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	51 PPD
Foveated Rendering	Yes (dynamic)
Optics
Optics	Dual-element aspheric lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	55-75mm (automatic adjustment)
Adjustable Diopter	No
Passthrough	Yes (20MP cameras + 300k LiDAR)
Tracking
Tracking	Inside-out (4 cameras)
Tracking Frequency	200 Hz
Base Stations	Not required (optional support)
Eye Tracking	Yes (200Hz)
Hand Tracking	Yes (camera-based beta since Varjo Base 4.10, April 2025; Ultraleap accessory also supported)
Rotational Tracking	6DOF
Positional Tracking	6DOF
Update Rate	200 Hz
Tracking Volume	7m radius
Play Space	Room-scale
Latency	~22ms (passthrough), less than 15ms (VR)
Audio
Audio	DTS 3D spatial audio headphones
Microphone	Dual noise-cancelling
3.5mm Audio Jack	Yes
Camera	2× 20MP RGB, 1× 300k LiDAR sensor
Connectivity
Connectivity	USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 compatible)
Ports	1× USB-C
Wired Video	USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode
Power	USB-C Power Delivery
Device
Dimensions	280mm × 140mm × 120mm
Weight	665g (headset only), 1021g (complete)
Material	Carbon fiber composite, magnesium
Headstrap	FlexFit ergonomic system
Haptics	No
Color	Black with carbon fiber accents
Sensors	200Hz eye tracking, 9-axis IMU, ambient light sensor
Input	Hand tracking, SteamVR controllers
Compliance	CE, FCC, IC, UKCA, TAA (Secure Edition)
Size	Adjustable (S/M/L cushions)
Cable Length	5 meters (16.4 ft)

The Varjo XR-4 is a professional PC-powered mixed reality and virtual reality head-mounted display announced on November 27, 2023, by Varjo Technologies. Representing the fourth generation of Varjo's mixed reality technology, the XR-4 series launched without subscription requirements, introduced inside-out tracking as standard, and offered professional-grade specifications at a revised price point for its class.

Since March 25, 2025, newly purchased XR-4 and XR-4 Focal Edition headsets need a paid Varjo Base Pro license (US$2,500 per year or $5,000 for a perpetual license) for some advanced mixed reality features. In October 2025 Varjo released a refreshed XR-4 Series aimed at simulation and training customers and said it would support the series with hardware and software through 2030. As of September 2026 the XR-4 Series is still the headset line Varjo sells.

Reviewed 27 September 2026. New 2025-2026 update, pricing, system requirement and no-successor text checked against the cited Varjo, UploadVR and Road to VR sources; legacy spec lists not re-verified. About review dates.

History

The XR-4 development began in 2022 following feedback from Varjo XR-3 customers and success of the subscription-free Varjo Aero. Key development goals included democratizing professional mixed reality, aiming for high visual fidelity in both virtual and passthrough modes, and eliminating external tracking requirements.

Major Improvements over XR-3

• 51 PPD uniform resolution (vs dual-display system)
• 20-megapixel passthrough cameras (vs 12MP)
• Inside-out tracking standard (vs external base stations)
• Significant price reduction for the standard model with no subscription
• Passthrough resolution of 33 PPD (Standard Edition) or 51 PPD (Focal Edition)

Release and later updates

Varjo took enterprise orders from the November 27, 2023 announcement, and first shipments started in December 2023. A dedicated manufacturing line for the XR-4 Secure Edition, at a new facility in Espoo, Finland, was due to begin operating the same month.

On March 25, 2025, Varjo split its software into two tiers. The free Varjo Base keeps core VR rendering, basic video passthrough with alpha mask, depth occlusion, inside-out and controller tracking, markers, eye tracking for foveated rendering and automatic IPD adjustment. Varjo Base Pro adds chroma key, 3D reconstruction, video post-processing, expanded tracking support, programmatic controls and multi-app functionality. Headsets bought before that date keep all of their existing features, and XR-4 Secure Edition headsets bought after it include a Pro license.

In April 2025 Varjo Base 4.10 added built-in hand tracking as a beta feature. It works from the headset's video passthrough camera streams together with depth data from the built-in time-of-flight sensor, so no extra hardware is needed; the Ultraleap Leap Motion Controller 2 accessory remains supported and takes priority in automatic mode when connected.

In July 2025 Varjo announced that support for the older XR-3, VR-3 and Aero would end on January 1, 2026, and that it was concentrating manufacturing on the XR-4 Series.

On October 8, 2025, Varjo announced a refreshed XR-4 Series intended for cockpit trainers, vehicle simulators and ground training systems. Compared with the original model it has a redesigned headband with a slimmer rear counterweight, an optional chin strap, a new front plate compatible with SteamVR tracking, optimized autofocus passthrough cameras, hand occlusion, a night mode and a new headset adapter for a more stable PC connection. Varjo guarantees hardware and software support for the series through 2030. The refreshed headsets are sold to industrial and government customers in over 40 countries, now including India and Turkey, with pricing available on request. Varjo's support site calls these units the XR-4 Series (2026), and they require Varjo Base 4.13 or newer.

In February 2026 Varjo added Integrated XR Systems, which bundle an XR-4 Series headset with a certified workstation, pre-installed software, licenses, extended warranty and support services. Varjo priced the system at EUR 24,990 with the XR-4 and EUR 29,990 with the XR-4 Focal Edition.

As of September 2026 the latest main release of Varjo Base is version 4.16, released on July 22, 2026, which lists the XR-4 Series as its supported headsets.

Technical Specifications

Display Technology

The XR-4 uses advanced Mini-LED panels:

• Resolution: 3840×3744 per eye (14.8 megapixels total)
• Pixel Density: 51 pixels per degree (uniform)
• Panel Type: Fast-switching Mini-LED with local dimming
• Brightness: 200 nits sustained
• Contrast: 10,000:1 with local dimming
• Color Gamut: 96% DCI-P3, 98% sRGB

Mixed Reality Cameras

High-resolution passthrough system:

• RGB Cameras: Dual 20-megapixel global shutter sensors
• Passthrough Resolution: 33 PPD (XR-4 Standard Edition), 51 PPD (XR-4 Focal Edition, matching virtual content)
• Frame Rate: 90 fps with ~22ms latency
• Dynamic Range: 14 stops with HDR processing
• Low Light: ISO 25,600 equivalent sensitivity

LiDAR Depth System

Enhanced from XR-3:

• Resolution: 300,000 points (300 kpix)
• Range: 0.2m to 7m (extended from 5m)
• Accuracy: ±2mm at 1m distance
• Frame Rate: 30 fps depth updates (Note: some sources may vary)
• Coverage: 94° × 78° depth sensing FOV

Breakthrough Features

Gaze-Driven Autofocus (Focal Edition)

World's first XR autofocus system:

• Technology: Liquid lens with 200Hz response
• Focus Range: 20cm to infinity
• Eye-Coupled: Focus follows gaze automatically
• Latency: <5ms focus adjustment
• Applications: Aims to solve vergence-accommodation conflict

Inside-Out Tracking

Professional-grade markerless tracking:

• Cameras: 4× wide-angle tracking sensors
• Algorithm: Advanced SLAM with ML enhancement
• Accuracy: Sub-millimeter precision
• Range: 7-meter radius tracking volume
• Persistence: Remembers room layout

Integrated Hand Tracking

Built-in hand interaction:

• Technology: Computer vision with neural networks
• Fingers Tracked: All 10 fingers with 21 points each
• Latency: 11ms hand-to-photon
• Gestures: Library of standard XR interactions
• SDK: Direct hand data access for developers

Software Ecosystem

No Subscription Model

Following Aero's success:

• One-Time Purchase: Starting at $3,990 for XR-4 Standard Edition at launch
• All Features Included: No feature tiers within an edition at launch; since March 25, 2025, advanced mixed reality features on newly purchased XR-4 and XR-4 Focal Edition headsets require a Varjo Base Pro license
• Free Updates: Lifetime software support
• Professional Tools: Full SDK access

Varjo Controller Software

New unified control system:

• Device Management: Configure all settings
• Performance Monitoring: Real-time diagnostics
• User Profiles: Save multiple configurations
• Cloud Sync: Settings backup and restore

Development Support

• Unity Plugin: Native XR-4 features
• Unreal Engine 5: Full integration with Nanite/Lumen
• OpenXR Extensions: Varjo-specific features
• NVIDIA Omniverse: RTX rendering support

Variants

XR-4 Standard Edition

Base professional model:

• All core features
• 20MP passthrough (33 PPD)
• 300k LiDAR
• $3,990 (launch price)

XR-4 Focal Edition

With gaze-driven autofocus:

• All Standard features plus:
• Liquid lens autofocus system
• 20MP passthrough (51 PPD)
• Enhanced eye tracking data
• $9,990 (launch price)

XR-4 Secure Edition

Government/Defense variant:

• TAA/BAA compliant
• Secure boot process
• Offline operation mode
• Manufactured in secure facility
• ITAR-free for international use

System Requirements

As of September 2026, Varjo lists two desktop tiers for the XR-4 Series. Both require Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11, 3 GB of storage for Varjo Base, one DisplayPort 1.4 or newer output and one USB-C port that supports USB 10Gbps or higher, connected directly to the chipset. AMD graphics cards are not supported.

Minimum Specifications

Varjo's "Minimum performance" desktop tier:

• OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11
• CPU: Modern 8 core desktop CPU (13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700K, 4th Gen Intel Xeon w7-2475X, AMD Ryzen 7 7700X)
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell, NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 4080 or RTX 3090
• RAM: 32 GB
• Storage: 3 GB (Varjo Base installation)
• USB: 1 x USB-C that supports USB 10Gbps or higher, plus 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 or newer

Recommended Specifications

Varjo's "Best performance" desktop tier:

• CPU: High-end 16 core workstation or enthusiast CPU (Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 4th Gen Intel Xeon w9-3495X, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D)
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
• RAM: 64 GB
• Storage: 3 GB (Varjo Base installation)

Industry Applications

Automotive Industry

Enhanced design validation:

• BMW Group: Full vehicle design in MR
• Stellantis: Global design collaboration
• Rimac Automobili: Hypercar development
• Polestar: Sustainable material visualization

Use cases:

• Design reviews with physical clay models
• Ergonomics testing with real drivers
• HMI development and testing
• Virtual showrooms with real products

Healthcare and Medical

• Cleveland Clinic: Surgical planning in MR
• Karolinska Institute: Medical education
• Brainlab: Image-guided surgery
• Siemens Healthineers: MRI/CT visualization

Applications:

• Pre-operative planning with patient data
• Medical device training
• Anatomy education with cadavers
• Rehabilitation therapy

Architecture and Construction

• Zaha Hadid Architects: Parametric design review
• AECOM: Infrastructure visualization
• Trimble: BIM integration
• Autodesk: Native Revit support

Defense and Aerospace

• Lockheed Martin: F-35 maintenance
• Saab: Gripen pilot training
• BAE Systems: Ship design review
• Various contractors: Classified programs

Market Reception

Launch Impact

The XR-4 announcement generated significant attention:

• Price Point: $3,990 for the standard edition was a notable reduction from the previous XR-3.
• No Subscription: Praised by enterprise customers.
• Feature Set: Considered comprehensive for its price in the professional market.
• Availability: Global launch in 40+ countries.

Critical Response

Professional reviews were generally positive, highlighting advancements:

• Road to VR: "The XR-4 redefines what's possible in mixed reality"
• UploadVR: "Professional MR at prosumer pricing" (Note: "prosumer pricing" is relative to the high-end professional market)
• VRFocus: "Inside-out tracking rivals base station precision"

Common Praise

• Passthrough quality is a key focus, with Varjo aiming for experiences "indistinguishable from natural sight," though user experiences may vary.
• Autofocus system (Focal Edition) "game-changing" for MR.
• Price/performance ratio considered strong for the professional segment.
• Ergonomics significantly improved.

Criticisms

• High PC requirements remain.
• No wireless option at launch.
• Hand tracking, while improved, may occasionally lose precision.
• Passthrough quality, while high, may not always meet the "indistinguishable from reality" claim under all conditions, according to some hands-on reviews.
• Limited battery for future standalone use (if such a version were developed).

Technical Innovations

CloudXR Integration

Streaming MR capabilities:

• NVIDIA CloudXR: RTX server rendering
• 5G Support: Ultra-low latency streaming
• Edge Computing: Local cloud deployment
• Multi-User: Synchronized MR sessions

AI-Enhanced Processing

Machine learning throughout:

• Passthrough Enhancement: AI upscaling and denoising
• Hand Tracking: Neural network gesture recognition
• Eye Tracking: Predictive gaze estimation
• SLAM: ML-assisted tracking robustness

Optics Engineering

• Dual-Element Lenses: Reduced aberrations
• Coating Technology: 99.5% light transmission
• Edge-to-Edge Clarity: <2% distortion at edges
• Pancake Design: Considered but rejected for quality

Manufacturing Excellence

Helsinki Production

In-house manufacturing advantages:

• Quality Control: 100% optical calibration
• Lead Time: 5-day average shipping
• Customization: OEM versions available
• Sustainability: Carbon neutral facility

Component Partners

• Display Panels: BOE (custom Mini-LED)
• Cameras: Sony (IMX sensors)
• LiDAR: Proprietary Varjo design
• Lenses: ZEISS (coating technology)

Competitive Landscape

Versus Apple Vision Pro

XR-4 Advantages: Higher virtual resolution, PC-powered performance for demanding applications, established professional ecosystem, potentially more robust tracking for certain professional use cases.

Vision Pro Advantages: Standalone operation, advanced consumer-facing OS and apps, highly integrated hand/eye tracking for its interface.

Versus Meta Quest Pro/3

XR-4 Advantages: Significantly higher resolution, professional-grade tools and support, superior passthrough fidelity (especially Focal Edition).

Quest Advantages: Standalone, much lower price, larger consumer content library.

Versus HTC Vive XR Elite

XR-4 Advantages: Higher resolution, generally superior passthrough quality, more advanced eye tracking.

Vive Advantages: Standalone option, lower price point.

Future Roadmap

As of September 2026, Varjo has not announced a successor to the XR-4 Series. Its news releases from 2025 and 2026 cover the refreshed XR-4 Series, software updates and bundled systems rather than a new headset, and the company has said it will support the XR-4 Series with hardware and software through 2030.

Impact on Industry

• The XR-4's launch influenced the mixed reality landscape:
• Set a new benchmark for professional MR features at its price point.
• Reinforced the demand for 50+ PPD for detailed professional use.
• Accelerated inside-out tracking adoption in the professional space.
• Validated the no-subscription model for enterprise hardware.
• Technologies popularized:
• Gaze-driven autofocus for XR (Focal Edition).
• 20MP+ passthrough cameras.
• 300k+ point LiDAR integration.
• Uniform high-PPD displays.

See Also

• Mixed reality
• Varjo Technologies
• Varjo XR-3
• Varjo Aero
• Apple Vision Pro
• LiDAR
• Inside-out tracking
• Foveated rendering
• TAA compliance