PlayStation VR 2 release date, price, news and rumors

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At 2 million units sold and counting, PlayStation VR may lead the pack in high-end headset sales, but Sony recently admitted that PSVR had fallen far short of its sales projections. 

With the PlayStation 5 reportedly a few years out from release, Sony is likely working on a successor to PlayStation VR that will take advantage of next-gen hardware to up its resolution, pixel quality and refresh rate.

Sony did technically release a second PSVR headset late last year: the CUH-ZVR2 added HDR compatibility, integrated headphones and a smaller connective cord. But, the true PSVR 2.0 will feature a much greater jump in specs.

The main question is, will the PlayStation VR 2 simply improve on its predecessor’s visuals, or will it add features like 6DoF tracking or even go wireless to compete with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive?

We’ve got the latest rumors and industry insider info on what the PlayStation VR could look like, its likely release date, potential backwards compatibility and more.

Cut to the chase

  • What is is? The next-generation of PlayStation VR
  • When is it out? Suspected either 2020 or 2021 to coincide with the PlayStation 5 release
  • How much will it cost? No word yet, but probably at or above the PlayStation VR’s $499 / £399 launch price 

Release date

It’s almost certain that PSVR 2 will work exclusively with the PlayStation 5 (more on that below). 

And, based on the latest revelations from Sony, its newest PlayStation console probably won’t release until 2020. 

PlayStation head John Kodera said at a recent Corporate Strategy Meeting that the PS4’s sales cycle has begun to wind down, and that the PlayStation team would hunker down until early 2021 working on its next big project. 

The PS4 Pro will be over four years old by early 2021

The PS4 Pro will be over four years old by early 2021

We also know that Sony won’t announce any new hardware at E3 2018, which makes 2019 the absolute earliest we should expect anything. But, most analysts predict 2020 as the more likely date. 

Intriguingly, Marcus Sellars, a notorious leaker of gaming info, claimed that Sony has already shipped PS5 dev kits to third-party partners. These game devs may have already begun work on PS5’s exclusive launch titles. 

At the the same time, we haven’t heard anything about PSVR 2 dev kits being sent out. This could simply mean that Sony has kept the gear under tighter wraps, or that the new iteration isn’t ready yet. 

But, if Sony mostly allocates its manpower to PS5 production, then the PSVR could launch much later than the console’s release date—perhaps a year or more. PlayStation VR 1 launched three years after the PS4, after all. 

Price

The current PlayStation VR starter bundle retails for $200 / £259 / AU$420, but this affordable cost came after two price drops in the past two years. 

The original price for a full bundle, $499 (£399, about AU$650), could give us a good idea of what Sony will charge for its next VR headset. 

Of course, this new headset will have some potentially expensive tech to go with the PS5’s increased potential. 

Japan Display (JDI), a LCD manufacturer co-run by Sony, recently unveiled its 3.2-inch, 1,001 pixels-per-inch (ppi) displays with 2160 x 2432 resolution. PSVR currently uses 386 ppi and 1920 x 1080 resolution for its one 5.7-inch screen. 

How pixel density can improve the VR experience | Credit: JDI

How pixel density can improve the VR experience | Credit: JDI

Adding better display quality, as well as doubling the screen count, could jump up the price.

Currently, the only somewhat “next-gen” VR headset on the market is the HTC Vive Pro, which retails for $800, £800 or around AU$1,045. Depending on the PSVR 2’s hardware, Sony could choose to list it as a premium device. 

But, that would likely go against its brand of offering an affordable entry into VR. We’re hopeful Sony will avoid pricing all but the wealthiest among us out of VR.

We also recently spotted a patent for upgraded motion-control wands with finger tracking and haptic feedback. 

Higher-cost bundles of PSVR 2 may very well include these controllers for VR experiences that a DualShock controller can’t provide. 

Why be a PlayStation 5 exclusive?

PlayStation 4 owners (especially Pro owners) might be a bit peeved when they discover they can’t make PSVR 2 work on their consoles. 

But, it could be Sony’s only option to make its second headset feel truly next-gen. 

We tested out PSVR on the PS4 and compared the graphical quality to the Pro. In “Pro Mode”, we spotted minor improvements in textures, graininess and lag reduction. Ultimately, though, the difference didn’t feel that momentous.