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I mean … if you’re trying to build a device to compete with the headset Apple announced two years ago and launched a year and a half ago, I should hope that the one today would have better technology. 🤷🏻‍♂️ And probably significantly less expensive.
Can't believe anyone would think differently unless they're going for a cheaper price point 🤦‍♂️
 
I am skeptical that this will make any difference at all really. Once you reach a certain pixel density, it doesn't make a difference going beyond that.
Even if it has higher specs, that doesn't necessarily make it "better"
There is a lot more to a "better" screen than resolution.

Sony makes a 12 Megapixel $2,200 ZV-E1 camera. It is "better" at most photography than any smartphone, particularly the "100 Megapixel" ones. Higher specs do not automatically mean "better" and when I see "better display" in a headline I automatically think the author is ignorant.

I have a 27" $250 LG 4K monitor right night to my 27" Eizo 4K $1,800 monitor. They both have the same resolution but one is much "better" than the other. In fact, I'll put my Eizo up to any "5K" monitor out there.
 
And as you mentioned, that is based on the Steve Jobs iPhone 4 standard. The article you linked to has some interesting links on the differing views on the limit of human vision, which can put the limit up to 150 PPD.

The Apple Retina term is based on 20/20 vision. There is a common misconception that 20/20 means perfect vision, when it actually means average vision.

It wouldn't really apply to the Retina definition very well either. How does being able to see something at 20 foot away help when you're looking at a screen one foot away.


Someone could have 20/15 vision but need reading glasses.
 
I am skeptical that this will make any difference at all really. Once you reach a certain pixel density, it doesn't make a difference going beyond that.
The Vision Pro isn't even close to that.

The difference is only 5% in the number of pixels, when you counter in the difference in size. So, the difference is probably not noticeable.
And with a VR headset, there are a ton of factors that make the comparison much more complicated than comparing monitors. Panel utilization, lens quality, rendering quality, foveated rendering, and image persistence all need to be taken into account to measure the perceived resolution/sharpness.
 
yeah, the PPI isn't the issue with these devices. Weight, battery life, field of view (which will be worse than the vision pro) and apps are the much bigger issues. Apple made an incredible device and then just decided to not add anything to it.
 
Personally, I'd much rather have a w-i-d-e-r field of view.
We seem to be stuck as a field of view that's similar on many headsets, and it's still far from acceptable.
 
I am skeptical that this will make any difference at all really. Once you reach a certain pixel density, it doesn't make a difference going beyond that.
It matters . VP's PPD is around 32 I believe .

You'd need 60 to have retina quality

It's not exactly comparable, but apple current screen can be compared to a 200ppi screen

iPhones have 460ppi
 
3391*1.42/(3800*1.3) = 97.5% — Samsung has a slight advantage of having a bit more pixels.

Isn't FOV and pixel density in the end all about the lenses: How the pixels are projected to your eye?
 
it's still the future of tech and the only electronics I find exciting to use anymore.
Eh--- I dunno. I found headsets exciting 10 years ago. And after playing around with them for 10 years, the shine and general interest has worn off completely for me.

The "future" is maybe AR glasses that pack all of the capabilities of an AVP and even more, into a regular pair of reading glasses...except even Meta's experimental glasses don't come close, and they aren't even manufacturable on a consumer level due to the exotic materials that are required for the optics to work.

All of these bulky headsets have the same issue of convenience and comfort (and honestly, lack of compelling use-cases for most people), which is the biggest blocker to getting the general public interested. And until they are no longer bulky and inconvenient, all of these product releases are going to continue to sell poorly. I just don't see why anyone is wasting time creating these things at this point.
 
Field of vision is way more important than a slightly higher resolution. I found the Vision Pro's field of vision already not as much as I'd like. The wider, the more immersive it feels. Fail on Samsung's part, tbh, for not understanding this.
 
This may be a question without a possible answer, but: what is the “pixel density” of 20/20 vision in real life?
 
I stopped reading after "reduced FOV". I realize Samsung never invents anything, but they got this theft WAY wrong. The product will be dead in the water, especially if any potential buyer compares with the AVP. I don't see how they can call it "immersive".

Sadly, there is a downside. When it fails, all the media will say is that these "new devices" will never be accepted in the marketplace. The only winner will be Meta with the Quest toy.
 
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I am skeptical that this will make any difference at all really. Once you reach a certain pixel density, it doesn't make a difference going beyond that.
Certain individuals live and die on specs. If the specs are better the result must be better, or so they argue. Even though the human eye is almost incapable of seeing the difference between 4K and 8K those individuals will decide by spec alone. But that’s not the case in many instances. The proof will be in the user experience.
 
"Alright Mike, but how much?"

Price will be a huge factor here as the price on the Apple unit is a huge deterrent.
 
I don't mind the current FOV but I think better passthrough quality and lower latency is key. And it may not even be possible to do adequate passthrough at all.
Well at least with just the visionOS 26 update we got 90hz hand tracking.

The current field of view is generally fine for me when watching movies or playing games. Things where the focal point is generally in the center of the screen anyway.

Where field of view is holding me back is when working on a Mac virtual display. Yes, my main task is in the center, but I'm often quickly glancing up to check the time, an incoming notification, or scanning menu bar items. The text based content is more intricate and doesn't hold up around the peripheral vision. It sounds dumb but it's really frustrating when you have 20 years of muscle memory to just glance and read things and now have to retrain to use more time and effort to move your whole head just enough that it's legible. Even if the displays was higher resolution it's really the field of view and lens quality that's causing the blur.
 
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It wouldn't really apply to the Retina definition very well either. How does being able to see something at 20 foot away help when you're looking at a screen one foot away.


Someone could have 20/15 vision but need reading glasses.
It applies because the Apple Retina definition is not based on perfect vision, so people with perfect vision can see more.
 
I don't mind the current FOV but I think better passthrough quality and lower latency is key. And it may not even be possible to do adequate passthrough at all.
Also the low light passthrough in particular. As soon as hand occlusion falls apart from low lighting things go down hill for me. I prefer typing with my index fingers on the virtual keyboard over that gaze and pinch method. Without hand occlusion I can't judge the depth and my accuracy falls.

I really want to see what they can do with a true Apple Vision Pro hardware update. I think no one will actually like or want a cheaper model. The current Pro isn't really good enough. They need to iterate several years on this hardware before splitting to a lower end model makes any sense.
 
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If these companies want to beat Apple they need to team up together. Make deals so right from the start things like consoles, phones, and video streaming sites work well right from day one in a device like this. The selling factor and killer apps are the ability to view products from other companies better than you can with screens. Apple can't compete with that because they wont give access to their devices away for free, or pay anyone else to join them. I can't expect these hardware makers to make their own killer apps justify buying them but if you can play your console games or connect it to your entertainment center and view your own content better than anything out there? that may just be enough to build up an audience.
 


Samsung's upcoming AR/VR headset will feature more advanced displays than Apple's Vision Pro, according to a new supply chain report from The Elec that reveals key specifications and sourcing strategies.

samsung-headset-2.jpg

Samsung is preparing to launch its first extended reality (XR) headset later in 2025, and it will reportedly contain displays that surpass the resolution of Apple's Vision Pro. The Elec claims that the device will use 1.3-inch OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) microdisplays with a pixel density of approximately 3,800 pixels per inch (PPI).

In comparison, the Vision Pro uses 1.42-inch OLEDoS panels from Sony with a pixel density of 3,391 PPI. The increase in pixel density will likely represent a significant improvement in visual clarity over the Vision Pro. Despite having a slightly smaller panel, which could reduce the field of view, Samsung's headset should be able to deliver sharper visuals.

The Vision Pro was the first mainstream consumer device to adopt OLEDoS microdisplays. OLEDoS technology allows for extremely high resolution in compact form factors, making it particularly suitable for immersive virtual reality applications.

Samsung is apparently reviewing plans to source OLEDoS panels from both Sony and Samsung Display, with Sony currently acting as the main supplier. While Sony is recognized for its expertise in microdisplay manufacturing, it has limited its production capacity and previously declined Apple's request to expand output for the Vision Pro. Sony's focus remains centered on its entertainment business, and it is reportedly cautious about committing additional resources to its display operations.

Article Link: Samsung's Headset to Offer Better Displays Than Apple Vision Pro
If Samsung is competing with Apple Vision Pro and investing in better resolution it means one thing: Apple is onto something and Samsung does not want to be left behind.
 
Sure, but the Vision Pro isn't at that density yet (as even the MacRumors show conceded).

On the other hand, this might mean that the increased PPI results in an even higher PPD.

It's an extra 125 pixels in each direction. If my math is right, Samsung is showing 24.4 million pixels: (3800 x 1.3")^2, Apple is showing 23.18 million pixels: (3391 x 1.42)^2. It's barely 5%.

There’s a great chance I am wrong (I’ve not seen any measurements of any sort). But I think the screen is going to be closer to the eye (so the density at the relative distance will be equivalent), so the weight sits closer to the face and is more comfortable. Likewise, a slightly smaller screen closer to the eye will have an equivalent field of view.

And with the AVP, it is very noticeable how much more comfortable it is (at the same time feeling very incorrect) if you remove the light shield and put it on. Even reducing a CM or 2 of distance from screen to eye is noticeable. That could be what Samsung is trying to do.
 
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I’m not sure the point of it.

Surely a limited market - will it have PC compatibility with apps that have VR capabilities?

As for Mac, that’s a closed off space so forget that.

Maybe it will become a must have for everyone but I’m sceptical.
 
If Samsung is competing with Apple Vision Pro and investing in better resolution it means one thing: Apple is onto something and Samsung does not want to be left behind.
Some of us know whats going on, but the majority seem to be quite blind to it. They have all been quite clear - give it 3 years or so and I think we will arrive at the true start where people start to get it.
 
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A smaller field of view is exactly not what a two-year newer, potentially competitive device should offer. Once again Samsung is focused on pointless specs and not on quality user experience.
 
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