Sony’s flip-up XR headset costs even more than an Apple Vision Pro

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Sony's SRH-S1 held in a hand at CES 2025.

Sony is one of the biggest names in VR gaming with the popular PlayStation VR2. Now it’s launching a high-end XR headset with specifications that rival the Apple Vision Pro. To be clear, this isn’t the Sony XYN headset powered by Google’s new Android XR, and it won’t connect to a PlayStation 5. It’s aimed at enterprise customers that design products, and it costs even more than the ultra-premium Vision Pro.

Priced at $4,750, the Sony SRH-S1 is a powerful system with integrated hardware and software, a flip-up visor, and unique controllers optimized for manipulating virtual 3D objects. Being able to lift the visor for face-to-face conversations is convenient. The halo strap design also removes all facial pressure. A ring on one finger lets you grasp items, and a 3D stylus that looks like something from a sci-fi movie allows precise adjustments.

Many specifications match the Vision Pro. It features 4K-per-eye microOLED panels and full-color passthrough so you can see your surroundings without removing the headset. It also has head-, hand-, and eye-tracking for intuitive control. It can be used as a standalone device or connected to a computer for more performance. That makes it one of the best VR headsets in terms of display and sensor quality.

There are plenty of Apple Vision Pro competitors arriving soon, and we’ve known about this Sony headset since last year. What we didn’t know were pricing and availability. The Sony SRH-S1 will be available starting January 23, 2025, from Siemens, who develops the integrated NX Immersive Designer CAD software. Shipping is expected to start in February.

The Sony XR headset being worn on a someone's face.

While the Sony SRH-S1 is clearly aimed at enterprise, 2025 will be a big year for XR headsets that might catch your eye for immersive gaming, watching room-filling movies, and general computing while enjoying the peace and beauty of some exotic landscape.

Alan Truly

Alan Truly is a Writer at Digital Trends, covering computers, laptops, hardware, software, and accessories that stand out as…

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A person wearing an Apple Vision Pro headset.

It’s no secret that Apple’s Vision Pro headset is the best advanced headset on the market, with powerful specs and an immersive experience that no rival can truly match. It’s also no secret that Apple has struggled to sell its device, given its $3,499 price tag puts it way out of reach of most consumers. Apple reportedly has a plan to turn things around, though -- yet it might not involve a Vision Pro headset at all.

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Apple Vision Pro demo unit.

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