World's smallest VR headset hits a snag: Bigscreen Beyond 2 faces technical delays

World's smallest VR headset hits a snag: Bigscreen Beyond 2 faces technical delays

Bigscreen is running into production problems with its new VR headset. Some orders are being pushed back.

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FACTS

The VR hardware startup Bigscreen has announced a delay in delivering its new Beyond 2 PC VR headset. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the company said that it uncovered technical issues with controller tracking during the production process.

According to Bigscreen, testing revealed two bugs in the headset’s electronics that caused controller tracking to be less reliable than expected in certain environments.

At the point these issues were caught, over 5,000 printed circuit boards (PCBs) had already rolled off the manufacturing line. Those PCBs are now being scrapped and rebuilt from scratch. Bigscreen says it’s working closely with Valve, and the updated electronics will incorporate improvements from the Valve Index, with the goal of boosting tracking precision.

Beyond 2e eye-tracking model unaffected

The delay only impacts customers with an original delivery window in April or May 2025 — those orders are now rescheduled for June. Pre-orders for the Beyond 2e eye-tracking variant (originally set for June 2025), as well as both models shipping with the new Halo mount (expected in Q3 2025), are not affected.

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Bigscreen says it’s actively working to accelerate production, with the hope of beginning initial shipments as early as the end of May.

CONTEXT

Despite Setback, Beyond 2 Sees Strong Launch

The delay comes as the Beyond 2 is otherwise off to an exceptionally strong start. According to CEO Darshan Shankar, the second-generation ultra-compact headset saw as many units ordered on launch day as its predecessor sold in six months.

Beyond 2 stands out for its impressively lightweight design. Weighing just 107 grams (excluding the mount and face pad), it shaves off another 20 grams compared to the already featherweight original. As before, users will need a powerful PC, connection cables, and external sensors for SteamVR tracking.

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Key upgrades this time around include newly designed pancake lenses that offer a wider field of view and noticeably reduce lens flare and light reflections. Unlike the first-generation model, eye relief is now individually adjustable, rather than fixed.

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The Bigscreen Beyond 2 replaces its predecessor in the lineup and is priced at €1,369. Later this year, a version with built-in eye tracking and a special mount—allowing the headset to be worn without a custom-fit face cushion—is expected to launch.

Are you concerned about the delay to the Bigscreen Beyond 2? Join the conversation on Facebook, Bluesky or X or share your opinion in the comments below.

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Sources: Bigscreen (X)