In an exciting announcement, Bigscreen has unveiled its cutting-edge Beyond PC VR headset, poised to offer an improved field-of-view (FOV) and enhanced clarity thanks to its innovative pancake lenses. Adding to its appeal, the headset is designed with home and enterprise users in mind, featuring an adjustable interpupillary distance (IPD) and a versatile Lightseal facial interface.
Bigscreen is introducing two models of this new headset—the Beyond 2 and the Beyond 2e. Unlike Apple’s iPhone 16e, where the ‘e’ signifies a more economical option, the ‘e’ in Beyond 2e highlights the inclusion of eye-tracking capabilities.
The Beyond 2e model has all the features of the Beyond 2 but includes a compact eye-tracking suite powered by AI-driven computer vision. This suite promises smooth, privacy-focused tracking and integration with platforms like SteamVR, OpenXR, and VRChat, with a beta expected by summer 2025.
Let’s talk pricing: the Beyond 2 is set at $1,019, while the Beyond 2e, which includes the eye-tracking, is priced at $1,219. However, if you’re upgrading from the original Beyond headset, you can snag these at a discount, bringing costs down to $849 and $1049, respectively.
Shipping is slated to commence in April, and come Q3 2025, users will have the option to add a halo-style strap mount. Choose from three sleek color options: Carbon Black, Crystal Clear, and Nuclear Orange.
Much like its predecessor, the slim and feather-light headset utilizes the SteamVR tracking system, supporting SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 base stations, as well as various SteamVR accessories, such as the popular Valve Index controllers, colloquially known as ‘Knuckles.’
Bear in mind, you’ll need a VR-ready PC to operate Bigscreen’s Beyond 2, along with the necessary base stations. Curious whether your PC is ready for this leap? Click here to check compatibility.
While the resolution remains the same as the original model—sticking with the dual 1-inch 2,560 × 2,560 micro-OLED displays—it’s the new pancake lenses in the Beyond 2 models that steal the show. These lenses significantly expand the FOV from the previous 102 degrees to a reported 116 degrees diagonally.
Moreover, the new models are lighter, weighing in at a mere 107 grams. This is considerably less than other standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 3 (515g) and the Apple Vision Pro (650g), as well as other light PC VR headsets such as the upcoming MaganeX superlight 8K (179g).
The displays might be unchanged, but Bigscreen assures better brightness and reduced glare. Thanks to the new lens design, users should experience a wider field with total clarity from edge to edge and a notably large sweet spot.
For the first time, Beyond 2 is introducing an adjustable IPD mechanism. Easily modified with the provided tool, users can tweak their settings with visible millimeter markings for each lens, ensuring customized clarity.
Bigscreen touts this advancement as a major leap from Beyond 1’s fixed IPD system, which demanded precise fitting from 18 sizes and a facial scan via iPhone for a custom fit.
In terms of accessories, the Beyond 2 maintains compatibility with Beyond 1’s custom-fit cushions but also ships with a universal-fit Lightseal interface. This inclusion enhances its shareability appeal for home users and boosts its attractiveness for enterprise applications.
Additionally, many of the original Beyond’s accessories integrate seamlessly with Beyond 2—including a five-meter fiber optic cable, link box, and Audio Strap. Prescription lens inserts made before 2025 for Beyond 1 fit only Beyond 2 and not 2e. Meanwhile, inserts made from 2025 onwards are compatible with all Beyond models, according to Bigscreen.
Shipping with a complementary soft strap, the headset will have a newly unveiled halo-style mount available by Q3 2025, inspired by night vision goggles for added stability.
The halo mount allows for precise adjustments in tilt and eye relief, supporting configurations with the included lightseal, Beyond’s original custom facial interfaces, or none at all. Though it’s not a strap in itself, it is compatible with various strap solutions, including the provided soft option and third-party ones. We can expect more details on pricing as the release date approaches.
Bigscreen is opening orders for Beyond 2 on its website, with shipments originating from their factory in Los Angeles, California. Initially serving customers in the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, the company plans to expand to South Korea, Mexico, Israel, and the UAE later this year.
Specifications
- Field of View: 116° diagonal
- Weight: 107 grams
- IPD: Adjustable, 48mm to 75mm (55mm to 70mm physically)
- Resolution: 2,560 × 2,560 per-eye
- Refresh Rate: 90Hz, 75Hz
- 6DOF Tracking: SteamVR tracking
- Tracking Requirements: SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 Base Stations (not included)
- Eye Tracking: Yes, on Beyond 2e
- Full-body Tracking: Compatible with SteamVR trackers such as HTC Vive Trackers, Tundra Trackers (not included)
- Controllers: Compatible with SteamVR controllers such as Valve Index Controllers (not included)
PC Requirements
- Audio Input: Dual microphone array
- Audio Output: Built-in on-ear speakers with the Audio Strap (not included)
- Accessory Ports: 1 × USB-C
- Cable: 5-meter fiber optic cable
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 2070 or AMD RX 5700 XT or newer (DisplayPort 1.4 and DSC required)
- CPU: Quad-core Intel or AMD
- Ports: 1 × DisplayPort 1.4, 2 × USB 3.0 ports
- OS: Windows 10 or Windows 11
