VR Headset Specifications Showdown – Next-Gen Models Compared

The VR battlefield is starting to heat up, with Sony promising support for PlayStation VR on their next-generation console while Valve and HP are bringing to the market premium headset offering that promise high resolutions and high refresh rates to deliver the highest levels of VR graphical fidelity to date. 

On the lower-end, Oculus’ upcoming Rift S headset will deliver a higher screen resolution at a low price tag while moving from AMOLED screens to LCDs that are optimised for VR gaming. These two changes will reduce the impact of the “screen door” effect, while also making VR gaming sharper thanks to the resolution bump. 

With all of these high-profile headsets on the way, we deemed it appropriate to compare the specifications of each, from their resolution to their field of view and even their refresh rate options. To represent the VR old guard, we have the original Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PSVR on the left, while the right-hand side is taken up by the latest VR newcomers. 

For the most part, higher numbers are better, with a broader field of view being preferable, increased resolution screens resulting in increased sharpness and higher refresh rate options providing smoother game motion and increased responsiveness. 

When it comes to tracking we have split things into two groups, Inside-Out and External, with external tracking setups requiring external sensors, trackers or cameras to track VR gamers while Inside-Out tracking systems have everything built into the headset itself, requiring little to no setup.