Unfortunately, according to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, it will still be some time before we see retina resolution VR headsets on the market.
News about research, prototyping and optimization of the retinal resolution in VR by Meta? During his recent Instagram Q&A, Andrew Bosworth answered this question.
Conventional screens of monitors and televisions have seen their resolutions improved. XR helmets also follow this development. They aim for screen quality that eliminates the perception of individual pixels, often referred to as “retina resolution”, in reference to Apple’s Retina Displays. Bosworth explained that the calculation of this resolution differs for XR screens.
Bosworth explained that in the field of virtual reality one measures resolution in pixels per degree. According to him, the total number of pixels is less important than their arrangement in relation to the eye and the way the lens reconfigures them. He also emphasized the importance of uniformity and distribution of pixels from center to periphery.
As part of research conducted by Reality Labs, the team was formed experimental devices to assess the ability to distinguish visual details. She then noticed that it was surprisingly high, probably reaching 100 pixels per degree. However, Bosworth notes that there is a point of diminishing returns where improvements between 80 and 100 pixels per degree are not that significant. But they are still visible.
Bosworth concluded that manufacturing screens with such density remains a challenge. This requires a specific power and format, and this technology is still far from being mastered.
VR headsets and the race for retina resolution
In 2022, Meta revealed the Butterscotch prototype, with a PPD of 55 thanks to a new hybrid lens and a halving of the field of view. In 2023, the Butterscotch Varifocal appeared with a variable focal length display, with a PPD of 60. These prototypes are for research and demonstration purposes only, with no plans for commercialization.
You will have understood, so we are not not ready yet to view VR headsets with retina resolution. But honestly, our VR headsets are already amazing, and the VR games available are just amazing. However, it does get us thinking about how even more impressive XR devices could become in the future.