PSVR 2 vs PSVR: What’s new?

With the PSVR 2 release date window confirmed as ‘Early 2023‘, and more and more details about the new VR headset coming out, we thought we’d break down all of the differences between the PSVR 2 vs PSVR.

It’s been quite a while since the release of the original PSVR, to the point where it’s pretty difficult to get ahold of and is usually bundled with a less-than-critically acclaimed game. If you’re curious about how nstandalone headsets compare to the externally powered ones, check out our PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 page.

The age of the PSVR means that we’re strongly overdue a follow-up, so we’re very excited to find out everything that Sony has added and improved.

PSVR 2 vs PSVR: Specs

Of course, we’re going to see a big improvement across the board here, but how big? Well, let’s take a look, then we’ll talk about how these improvements can enhance your VR gaming experience.

Sony PSVR 2

Not known, likely an upgraded version of the original

Not applicable, powered by PS5

Not applicable, not wireless

Sony PSVR

Not applicable, powered by PS4

Not applicable, not wireless

To an extent, comparing specs matters a little less than usual here, as both PSVR and PSVR 2 are powered by consoles, the PS5 and PS5 respectively.

So, given that the gameplay experience is largely decided by the consoles, what is there to talk about? Well, there are still a few aspects that have been upgraded.

The most drastic change we saw going from the original PSVR is the displays. Where the original PSVR has a roughly 1080p display (960 × 1080 per eye), the PSVR 2 has a resolution that’s essentially double at 2000 x 2040 per eye.

Of course, this will result in far clearer and more realistic imagery, additionally, frame rates are predicted to be far more stable courtesy of the PS5.

PSVR 2 vs PSVR: Features

Here we find a few more actually interesting differences, and honestly, even just at a glance, the PSVR 2 looks like more than a worthy upgrade to the original, with some impressive looking features that look like they’ll help up the immersion factor considerably.

Our favorite is the haptics that Sony will be adding to the headset itself. It’s a fantastic idea, but easily has the potential to be hugely annoying.

However, we have faith that Sony will do this well, as they have proven themselves in terms of haptics, with the DualSense variable resistance triggers being recieved particularly well.

Speaking of DualSense, they’ve also implemted the triggers themselves into the new PSVR controllers, which should add some much needed weight to the bog standard controllers we had for the original PSVR.

Another feature that we’re looking forward to is the addition of a “See-through mode”. This will use the IR cameras on the headset to project a version of what they see in real time.

Not only is this helpful for avoid crashing into furniture, but it also makes it easier to define the boundaries of your play area, which is useful for avoiding accidents, but more importantly makes it less likey that you’ll be riopped from the work of the game back into reality by a pop up telling to to sotp.

PSVR 2 vs PSVR Final verdict: Should you upgrade?

Well, it’s a tricky question to answer as we don’t know everything about the PSVR 2 quite yet. However, from what we’ve seen an considering the age of the original PSVR. We consider the PSVR 2 to be a worthy upgrade that is at very least worth considering.

Addiitonally, we doubt that there will be another VR headset from PlayStation until after the release of the inevitable PS6. So you won’t need to worry about the PSVR 2 being superseded too quickly.