OLED displays are excellent for VR headsets, as the displays offer high image quality, high efficiency, fast response time, and a small form factor.
The first generation VR headsets mostly adopted OLED displays. In recent years we have seen most new headsets opting for lower-cost LCDs, as these have managed to increase the response time to enable higher quality VR experience. A recent trend in the VR industry is the adoption of OLED microdisplay instead of TFT devices, to enable much higher image quality, low weight, and high efficiency. Apple's Vision Pro for example is based on two 1.3" 4K OLED microdipslays produced by Sony. We expect this trend to continue and accelerate for high-end VR devices.
The AR market is more challenging for OLED displays, as it requires very high brightness. While we have seen several AR solutions based on OLED microdisplays, it is expected that future AR headsets will be based on microLED microdisplays. In any case both the market and the industry are not ready for full scale commercialization of consumer AR solutions.
Following is a comprehensive list of OLED VR and AR headsets:
The Xoss X-Lens AR is a device aimed towards cycling, that is based on a monocular OLED microdisplay (1,200 nits). The X-lens AR uses Bluetooth to connect to the smartphone, and can show information such as speed, time, heart rate, navigation, and more. The device weight 10.1 grams.
The Xoss X-Lens AR is now shipping in China, with a price tag of 699 Yuan ($98 USD)
Meizu's StarV View are AR smartglasses, based on dual FHD OLED microdisplays (produced by Sony) and BirdBath optics. The StarV View can simulate a 188-inch screen from 6 meters, is based on a proprietary OS (Flyme XR Space OS 2.0) and is compatible with a long list of devices, including smartphones, the PS5, Windows PCs, Steamdeck, Nintendo Switch, and others.
The Meizu StarV View are now available for pre-orders in China for about Pre-Sale at $350.
The Viture Pro XR is an AR headset, that is based on dual 1920x1080 120Hz 4,000 nits OLED microdisplays (produced by Sony), and can simulate a 135" display. The Viture Pro XR weighs 78 grams and connects via USB-C or Bluetooth (optional).
The Viture Pro XR costs $549 (and is currently discounted at $459).
The Pimax Crystal Super VR headset offers eith a mini-LED driven QLED display, or an OLED microdisplay, via an interchangeable optical system. The OLED Microdisplay option is a 4K 90Hz microdisplay coupled with pancake options.
The Crystal Super starts at $1,799 (for the QLED version) and is up for pre-order now.
Lenovo's Legion Glasses is an AR HMD are based on dual FHD (1920x1080) 60hz OLED microdisplays. The Glasses can be connected via USB-C to any device, but are mostly geared as a companion to Lenovo's own Legion Go Windows gaming handheld device.
The Legion Glasses will ship in October 2023, with a price tag of 329.
The Immersed Visor is a VR headset that offers dual 4K OLED microdisplays (4K per eye), Immersed's own productivity software an on-board chipset and a battery-powered wireless mode. Immersed says that it collaborated with Qualcomm, Intel and an "undisclosed AR/VR tech giant".
The Visor is expected to ship in 2024.
The long-anticipated Apple VR headset, the Apple Vision Pro, features dual 1.41" 4K (4000 PPI) microdisplays (reportedly produced by Sony) - and rather surprising it does not have a foveated design. The headset also includes an external OLED display (reportedly produced by LGD) to simulate the user's eyes (reverse passthrough).
The Vision Pro is based on Apple's M2 chipset, and includes 12 cameras, five sensors, a lidar scanner and six microphones. Inside the headsets there are more cameras and sensors and the device also includes a new chip used for real-time processing of real-world data (the R1 chip). Apple says the battery life of the Vision Pro is two hours.
Rokid's Max AR Glasses offer a lightweight (75 grams) AR experience, that simulates a 215" display from 6 meters away. The glasses are powered by dual Sony 1920x1080 (FHD) 120Hz 600-nits OLED microdisplays.
The Max AR costs $439 and is now ready for pre-order.
Xiaomi's latest AR headset, the AR Glass Discover Edition are based on dual OLED microdisplays and feature a magnesium-lithium alloy and carbon fiber materials, wireless connectivity and Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2 Gen-1 chipset.
Xiaomi did not yet disclose the price or availability, but from the name we deduce this won't be a mass market device.
Bigscreen's first VR headset, the Beyond, is based on dual 2560x2560 90hz OLED microdisplays, offering a 93-degrees FOV. Customers of the Beyond are asked to scan their faces (using an iPhone-only app) which is used by Bigscreen to produce a custom design. The Beyond supports the StreamVR platform and can work with any compatible controller. The whole headset weights 170 grams.
The Beyond costs $999 (prescription lenses are an extra) and is available for pre-orders. The first units are expected to ship in Q3 2023.
