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VR continues to evolve into more capable yet lighter hardware. That state of evolution is best embodied in Bigscreen’s lauded Beyond 2, which stakes its claim as the world’s smallest and lightest VR headset. However, production hiccups have momentarily slowed its rollout. Despite these early production delays, Beyond 2 has captured ample attention and a strong start in the VR marketplace.
What Makes Beyond 2 the Smallest?
Beyond 2’s claim to fame is more than a marketing spin — it is a measurable leap in VR miniaturization. Weighing in at just 107 grams and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the device uses cutting-edge pancake lens technology to reduce bulk without sacrificing image clarity. The custom-built micro-OLED displays make the ultraslim form factor possible, delivering high pixel density and sharp visuals at a fraction of the size of traditional screens.
Bigscreen achieves this compactness through a personalized face scan system. When users order a headset, they must use an app to capture a 3D scan of their face so the facepad fits their facial structure. This strategy prevents bulky padding and adjustable straps found in most consumer-grade devices. Paired with magnetic faceplates and lightweight components, the headset results in a piece that feels closer to wearing a pair of ski goggles.
Potential Use Cases and Benefits
Beyond 2’s compact footprint is a design achievement that also opens the door to new possibilities for how and where you can use VR.
Retail Experiences
Research shows that 69% of American consumers now shop online, so retailers are exploring new ways to create engaging digital storefronts. A lightweight, portable headset is ideal for at-home virtual try-ons, interactive product demos or full showroom tours. It lowers the barrier to exploring immersive commerce without the bulk of conventional headsets.
Sustainability in Focus
The reduced size means fewer materials, less packaging, and lower shipping emissions. Those abilities align with rising consumer demand for greener tech, as 60% of shoppers are willing to pay more for products that come in sustainable packaging. Bigscreen’s design philosophy taps into this sentiment, especially if future iterations continue to minimize waste and environmental impact.
Education in Training
Comfort and portability matter in classrooms and workplace training environments. Beyond 2’s tailored fit allows longer wear without fatigue, enabling more users to participate in simulations and soft skills training in corporate and academic settings.
Precision Tracking for Niche Applications
With native support for SteamVR tracking, the headset works well in scenarios where sub-millimeter positional accuracy is essential. This feature is promising in design prototyping or industrial training, where high-fidelity spatial monitoring is required in compact, controlled setups.
The Production Setback
Despite its big debut, Bigscreen hit a speed bump in delivery when it found two bugs in the electrical components. It had traced these issues back to a flaw in the printed circuit board’s (PCB) design that impacted controller tracking. Unfortunately, the company had already produced 5,000 PCBs with the defect, which it had to scrap and rebuild from scratch.
This setback delayed shipments by several weeks, mainly affecting early customers who ordered the Beyond 2 with an April or May delivery estimate. Those placing new orders now can expect to receive their headset by August.
In response to the issue, Bigscreen is implementing more quality control to avoid similar hiccups in the future. The company is also scaling production by investing in machine automation, human processes and computer vision systems to inspect all parts.
It has added more customer support team members to ensure faster response times and meet high demand. Currently, support ticket response times are over one week, but the company hopes to scale it down by one to two days in the coming weeks.
Industry Outlook and What Comes Next
Bigscreen Beyond 2 may have stumbled slightly with early production issues, but its design shows where the VR hardware market is heading — smaller, more ergonomic and specialized hardware. As VR technology becomes more mainstream, several key trends shape its future trajectory.
Market Growth and Diversification
The global VR market is experiencing healthy growth, with projections estimating it will reach $19.75 billion in aggregate revenue by 2028. Growth drivers include consumer demand and enterprise applicability for immersive training in verticals ranging from agriculture to aerospace.
Advancements in Technology
Innovations in AI, cloud computing, and spatial computing enhance VR experiences. AI integration allows for more personalized interactive environments, while cloud streaming reduces the need for high-end local hardware. These technological integrations make VR more accessible.
Emergence of Mixed Reality (MR) and Cross-Reality Integration
VR, AR, and MR are becoming more integrated and offer seamless experiences. Devices are evolving to support multiple modes, enabling users to transition effortlessly between different immersive environments.
Small Form, Big Future
Bigscreen Beyond 2 may be the smallest VR headset on the market, but it is already making a sizable impression. Despite a few production setbacks, its compact design is gaining traction in VR. Innovations like this could redefine how you use immersive tech, so be on the lookout for further developments.
Eleanor Hecks is Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine where she specializes in design, development, and UX topics. Follow Designerly on X @Designerlymag.
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