Google and LG show off their high-res VR display for future headsets

Google and LG’s high-res prototype VR display is official and nearly ready for future VR headsets. It’s an incredibly pixel-rich, 18-megapixel OLED display at 1443 ppi, with a 120Hz refresh rate contained on a 4.3-inch screen with a 120 x 96 field of view.

For reference, Google says the upper bounds of human vision exist at 9600 x 9000, 2,183 ppi, and 160 x 150-degree field of view — so it’s not too far off, which is both fascinating and terrifying. If you want to compare current VR products, the HTC Vive has a smaller 3.6-inch 1080 x 1200 display with 448 pixels-per-inch, while the improved Vive Pro’s 3.5-inch 1440 x 1600 panel only has 615 ppi. Both VR headsets only have measly 90Hz refresh rates and 110-degree fields of view.

Basically, Google and LG supposedly have the most high-res VR display in the world at the moment. Since this is VR we’re talking about, you need two screens (one for each eye) for the immersion to work.

Currently, there is one notable drawback: when the displays are powered by a mobile chipset, they may be restricted to a 75Hz refresh rate. So this solution is currently most appropriate for desktop VR.

Despite the announcement, Google and LG don’t have retail availability for this display since it’s still in the prototype stage, but we’ll update you once the information is available.