The Sony XR Headset: A True Source of Vision Pro? – XR Today

The Sony XR headset is coming – and it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve seen from the tech company before. Sony is marketing the new device as a “spatial content creation system” aimed at helping organizations and developers create augmented reality experiences.

Rumors about the possible features and capabilities have been circulating since the beginning of this year when Sony first announced that it would be working on a new XR solution. However, it has been a while now, things have been very quiet. It wasn’t until leaked information from the SIG certification surfaced in September that the hype started heating up again.

Now, we have clear confirmation that the device revealed at CES 2024 is coming to the market (and may arrive later this year). So, what can we expect from the Sony XR headset?

The Sony XR Headset: What we know so far

Unlike most XR makers (like the Meta), Sony continues to be tight-lipped about its upcoming headset. The company actually showed prototypes of the device earlier this year at the January CES event.

Although it is still in its early stages of development, Sony’s XR device has generated a lot of excitement among enthusiasts, especially in business settings. It is clear that this premium headset, set to have high-quality 4K OLED microdisplays, mixed reality passthrough, and an exclusive set of controllers, is aimed at a specific market.

This isn’t a headset aimed at the everyday consumer – it’s designed to power 3D content creators, designers and developers in the business. Although Sony has not released an official list of “specs”, for the headset, we know a lot about it based on previous demonstrations and leaks.

For example, we know that the device will have Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform, which is similar to the high-end headsets from PICO and Varjo. We also know that it will take advantage of Siemens’ unique XCelerator engineering software, thanks to the partnership between Sony and Siemens.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we know so far:

• 4K micro-OLED displays
• Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform
• Full color rendering
• Unique ring and pointer controls
• Support for head and hand tracking
• Lightweight, flexible design
• Unique tools for creating 3D content

Design: The Look and Feel of the Sony XR Smartphone

As mentioned above, we already have a good idea of ​​what the Sony XR headset will look like, thanks to the simulations shown at CES this year. However, it is important to note that the design (even the features) may change slightly before the device is released.

At first glance, this headset appears to be clunkier and more powerful than other headsets we’ve seen recently, such as the Apple Vision Pro. However, early reviewers have said that the headset is still lightweight, with good weight distribution and very stable cables.

It’s also large enough to accommodate glasses wearers, which is helpful if you don’t want to invest in custom lenses. The headset is adjustable from front to back, and has good padding around the forehead for added comfort.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the design, however, is the flip-up display. Unlike other hybrid headsets, which include buttons and software to help you switch between reality and seeing the world around you, Sony’s interface moves up and down. This means that all you need to do is raise the visor to return to the “real world.”

That may not seem like a big improvement from a design perspective, but it’s a good way to make sure you can “wear in” quickly from any immersive experience. You also get extra support for air circulation around the face and eyes, which is great if you’re really hot with the XR.

Display and Visual Quality

In terms of vision, Sony is really taking steps to compete with companies like Apple, Varjo, and PICO, with its 4K display that is amazing in every eye. The company has designed its headset from the ground up with micro-small OLED panels, giving you a compact 8K resolution.

According to the first reviewers, who tried Sony headsets by visiting the museum, the quality of the display is amazing. Text reads clearly on the screen, and images sound crisp. Thanks to the powerful processors in the device, you don’t have to worry about feeling nauseous or uncomfortable due to lag.

The field of view may be narrower than what you’ll find in some high-end headsets (rumors suggest it will be 100 degrees). However, you should still get a great experience regardless of whether you’re designing or collaborating on XR.

Sony has not revealed any information sharing what the sound will be like on this headset. However, we can expect some kind of surround sound using high-quality speakers, as well as integrated microphones for collaboration. In addition, these features will be important if Sony wants to capture the attention of the corporate market.

The Sony XR Headset Controllers

Perhaps one of the biggest things that sets the Sony XR headset apart from other headsets available today is its control system.

Like most modern headsets, this device will come with support for head and hand tracking, although we’re not sure if eye tracking will be an option just yet. However, Sony headsets will come with unique controllers, for a more advanced desktop experience.

Unlike the controllers you might find in something like Meta Quest 3, you won’t be constantly holding two controllers when interacting with XR content. Instead, you’ll have a circle that follows your finger movements with incredible accuracy and a pointer tool.

These controllers come with built-in haptics for feedback as you work on designs and products in augmented reality. If you’ve had the chance to interact with other ring-based controllers, like the Nolo Air Ring, you’ll know how useful these devices are for the Sony XR device. It’s a very intuitive experience, focused on promoting “local content”.

Performance and Content Creation Software

Like the aforementioned Samsung XR headset, the Sony XR headset will feature the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset. This chipset will power 4K OLED microdisplays, as well as space and in-app user tracking features.

According to Sony, its device will help provide separation, which means that users will be able to connect their headsets to their computer system to share the processing load for advanced applications. first. We don’t have much information about what the performance features of this headset will be like here.

However, we know that Sony is focused on creating a solution that specifically improves interactions with mixed reality content, 3D objects and digital twins. The headset will come with instant access to the Seimens Xcelerator open digital business platform.

In particular, users will be able to work in the “NX Immersive Designer” system created by Siemens specifically for the area of ​​engineering and product development. Siemens even announced earlier this year that this software will offer a new solution based on Unreal Engine.

It will not only provide access to a wide range of tools that creators can use to render high-definition, 3D objects, and hyper-realistic avatars, but it will also feature advanced security and collaboration features. Also, with the Sony XR headset, users will be able to take photos on the XR, and share real-time views of the XR environment with team members across the business.

Sony XR Headset Price: How Much Will It Cost?

Unfortunately, like many companies when it comes to creating new headsets and AR glasses, Sony has not disclosed information about how much its device will cost. The partners (Siemens and Qualcomm) have also kept their mouths shut, so we’re left to speculate.

Since this is a high-end headset, aimed mainly at developers, product designers, and corporate groups, we expect a very high price. You will likely need to pay something closer to the price of the Apple Vision Pro (starting at $3,499), than the price of the Meta Quest 3 (starting at $599). However, there is a chance that Sony can find ways to make its headsets cheaper.

Alternatively, it could take a completely different approach, as Snap has with “Spectacles 5”, which allows developers to pay for a monthly subscription instead of buying the headset outright.

The Outlook for the Sony XR Headset

It seems clear that the Sony XR headset will come to the market soon. We don’t know when it will be available, how much it will cost, or what the full specs will look like. However, we know that Sony will be targeting a specific group of users for this device.

The company is not only creating a new market for the consumer market. Sony wants to address the unique needs of content creators and business users in the XR. They are clearly building on the solutions they already have for business users. For example, Sony already offers access to real-world displays and the Mocopi motion capture system for content development.

If Sony delivers the efficient, clear, and powerful headsets we expect to see this year, it could carve out a niche for itself in the XR market. It may not compete with Apple Vision Pro, or Meta Quest 3, but it will be one of the most attractive options for XR developers.

This could be the start of a new era of XR tools, built specifically for unique use cases and needs in the XR environment.