PlayStation VR 2 was announced in 2021, and Sony has released modest details regarding its virtual reality hardware follow-up on a regular basis since then. We know what it looks like, what its controllers look like, and how it will work in general, but we don’t know when it will be released or how much it will cost. Aside from those very vital points, Sony has provided a surprising amount of information on PSVR 2, and we’ve compiled everything we know into one place.
What is PSVR 2?
This isn’t the first time Sony has introduced virtual reality technology; the company’s initial PSVR headgear was released for the PS4 in 2016. The initial PSVR appeared to be a peripheral that gave an entry-level approach to VR, needing many wires, a camera, and external lights for both head- and controller-tracking.
The PS5-exclusive device’s successor uses more powerful technology in its design, as well as various other quality-of-life changes, and may possibly compete with other popular VR headsets like the Meta (previously Oculus) Quest 2 and the Valve Index.
The eye-tracking cameras that follow your line of sight whether you’re aiming or gazing around are another feature worth mentioning. This technology, which employs superior foveated rendering techniques, may be capable of altering image quality to pinpoint and enhance whatever you’re looking at, resulting in a better visual experience.
The four built-in cameras can track you and the DualSense controller in real-time, with the information being used to represent your activities in the game. If you didn’t like using the PS4 Camera for VR before, this solution cuts a lot of fat from the experience.
If you want to try out the latest PSVR, now is an excellent time to find one of the several bundles that have been produced throughout the years. The PS4 has a large library of VR titles, but if you want to play them on the PS5 via backward compatibility, you’ll need to buy a special adaptor that allows the older kit’s camera to work on Sony’s latest platform.
PSVR 2 Price and Versions
Sony hasn’t said anything about PSVR 2 bundles, but if it follows the same path as the original PSVR, expect a standalone version as well as special editions with a free game. PSVR bundles including titles like VR Worlds, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition, and a mega-pack of five games are just a few instances from the past.
The price, on the other hand, remains to be seen. However, you should prepare your wallet, as the initial PSVR retail for $300 when it was first released. Although a higher price for the PSVR 2 is feasible, the headset is likely to be competitively priced versus the Meta Quest 2, which costs $300 for the 128GB variant.
PSVR 2 Release Date
Again, no official release date has been announced, although a report from last year suggested that the device would be available during the 2022 holiday season. That’s a fair assumption, because not only is the fourth quarter a lucrative time to sell new gear, but it also allows Sony to replenish stock while dealing with the effects of the ongoing global chip scarcity.
Long after its debut, the PS5 is still hard to come by, so ensuring that the maximum number of consoles are available before releasing a specialised gadget is a wise plan.
Sign up for Sony’s email list on the official PlayStation website if you own a PS5 and are interested in the headset.
PSVR 2 Specifications
Sony has revealed some information about the PSVR 2’s internals. You can expect a 2,000×2,040 per-eye resolution, a 110-degree field of view, and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz right out of the gate with OLED HDR displays. A six-axis motion sensor, four cameras throughout the setup, and an IR camera for eye-tracking are also used in the headset and controller tracking. The audio is delivered through a standard 3.5mm socket and adapts to your posture and head motions dynamically.
Most crucially, the headset will be connected to the console through a single USB-C cable, significantly reducing the tangle of connections that plagued the initial PSVR headset.
Design
The PlayStation VR 2’s appearance, as seen in the official photographs Sony released in late February 2022, is similar to that of the PS5. It’s sleek, rounded on both sides, and all of the lights on the original model have been replaced with inside-out cameras because it no longer requires light-tracking via an external camera. The single wire connecting the headset to the PS5 is positioned near the back of the device, which should keep it out of the way of the controllers during intensive games, and there is an adjustable scope mechanism for positioning it closer or farther away from your face.
There’s also a redesigned venting design to decrease fogging, as well as a lens-adjustment slider to better focus the image without having to totally relocate the headset.
Controllers
PSVR used the existing PlayStation Move wands launched in the PS3 era, while PSVR 2 features a new controller called the Sense. In essence, this provides gaming input as well as haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, precise tracking, and finger touch recognition, all packaged in an appealing, ergonomic form. Other actions can be performed using traditional analogue sticks and action buttons split across both controllers, according to Sony. The orb-like shape is meant to create a realistic and natural gaming experience through a well-balanced design, while other actions can be performed using traditional analogue sticks and action buttons split across both controllers.
You’ll still be able to effortlessly capture games thanks to the dedicated Share button, and finger touch detection will kick in even if you’re not actively pushing a button, allowing the Sense controller to mimic natural motions and gestures. The Sense controller has haptic feedback, which you can learn more about below. It works in a similar way to the DualSense controller, with adjustable triggers and gentle vibrations. Read also; Dead By Daylight Chapter 24: Everything We Know
PSVR vs. PSVR 2
In comparison to its successor, the PSVR headset looks downright primitive. Here’s how they compare to one another:
| PSVR | PSVR 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 960 x 1080 per eye | 2,000 x 2,040 per-eye |
| Display | OLED | OLED HDR |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Field of view | 100° | 110° |
| Tracking | Six-axis motion sensor and LED tracking via PlayStation Move | Six-axis motion sensor, four cameras for headset and controllers, IR camera for eye-tracking |
| Feedback | None | Vibration on headset |
| Audio | 3.5mm input | 3.5mm input |
| Connections | USB and HDMI | USB and HDMI |
PlayStation VR2 Sense Controllers Specifications
| Buttons | [Right] PS button, Options button, Action buttons (Circle / Cross), R1 button, R2 button, Right Stick / R3 button [Left] PS button, Create button, Action buttons (Triangle / Square), L1 button, L2 button, Left Stick / L3 button |
| Sensing/ Tracking | Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope + three-axis accelerometer) Capacitive Sensor: Finger Touch DetectionIR LED: Position Tracking |
| Feedback | Trigger Effect (on R2/L2 button), Haptic Feedback (by single actuator per unit) |
| Port | USB Type-C Port |
| Communication | Bluetooth Ver5.1 |
| Battery | Type: Built-in Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery |
Haptic feedback
The DualSense controller set a new standard for haptic feedback on a gaming console, and PSVR 2 comes with its own technology to improve the gaming experience. A built-in motor in the headset, according to Sony, can generate mild and responsive vibrations during games. In principle, this means that you can feel your character’s raised pulse during anxious moments, items passing close to your head, or even the sensation of speed when you press the pedal on a vehicle.
The PSVR 2 controllers all include adjustable triggers and can provide vibrations ranging from subtle to powerful pulses. It’s similar to the DualSense in that it’s designed to mimic real-world feedback based on the game you’re playing. Read more; Cloud-based Fortnite on Android (and iPhone) is the Best
Is PSVR 2 backward compatible?
Although backward compatibility with PSVR has yet to be confirmed, a small handful of games have been announced for PSVR 2. When gaming journalist Stephen Totilo contacted Sony about the PSVR 2’s backward compatibility status at CES in January, he was told that Sony has “nothing else to announce at the moment.”
