VR has plenty of obstacles in its path, from the general lack of interest among the masses and the consequent lack of killer apps to the uncomfortable experience of wearing a bulky headset for hours on end. The Bigscreen Beyond 2 looks to do something about the latter by coming in at an impressively light weight that should create a whole lot less discomfort.
Weighing an impressive 107 grams, the headset is over four times lighter than the Meta Quest 3, which tips the scales at a significantly heftier 515 grams. Of course, it’s not a standalone headset, requiring you to hook up to a VR-capable PC, so you’ll be tethered to a machine the whole time, but it’s definitely a relief not having all that much weight strapped across your face.
The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is equipped with micro-OLED displays that produce a combined resolution of 5120 x 2560 pixels at refresh rates of up to 90Hz. The outfit claims it uses upgraded pancake optics that deliver “edge-to-edge clarity,” ensuring graphics remain sharp even in the user’s peripheral vision, all while delivering an extra-wide 116-degree diagonal field of view, although the outfit didn’t provide separate measurements for horizontal and vertical FOVs.
According to Bigscreen, the headset displays will deliver improved brightness and much less glare compared to its predecessor, creating an overall improved visual experience. You can also adjust the positions of each lens separately to more precisely match the distance between your pupils, ensuring you can customize the visuals to your exact liking.
The base model Bigscreen Beyond 2 doesn’t have eye tracking, by the way, but it is offered in the more premium Beyond 2e. Equipped with tiny camera sensors, the device cam monitor your exact eye position and reflect that in the VR experience accordingly. That seems to be the main difference between the models, with everything else, such as the straps with built-in speakers and the halo mount available as optional components for both.
The Bigscreen Beyond 2 now available for preorder, with a June 2025 ship date. Price starts at $1,019.
