Sharp Unveils Lightweight VR HMD "Xrostella VR1" Weighing Approximately 198g; Crowdfunding to Launch Later in November
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999902/20251031019/
Editorial Department: Daisuke Chiba | 2025/10/31 04:51 (UTC)
On October 31, 2025, Sharp announced its virtual reality head-mounted display (VR HMD), the Xrostella VR1. A standout feature is its remarkably light weight—approximately 198 grams—made possible by miniaturization and lightweighting technologies honed through smartphone development.
A crowdfunding campaign for the device will begin on the platform “GREEN FUNDING” starting late November. The price has not yet been announced as of this article’s publication date.
The Xrostella VR1 is a VR HMD that connects via USB cable to PCs or smartphones. Given its lightweight design, it appears to be based on the prototype VR HMD Sharp unveiled in January 2023.
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In conjunction with CES 2023, Sharp set up a private booth at a nearby hotel to showcase various products and technology demonstrations. Among them, the most notable was the first public unveiling of their VR HMD prototype. Although it is not expected for immediate commercial release, this device merits attention both in appearance and technical innovation.
[January 12, 2023, 4:59 PM]
The display panel uses a liquid crystal panel with a resolution of 2,160 × 2,160 pixels per eye and a maximum refresh rate of 90 Hz. It features an interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment range from 58 to 71 mm, along with diopter adjustments ranging from +0 D to -9.0 D—making it possible for nearsighted users to use the device without glasses.
Additionally, a color camera mounted on the front of the unit provides a passthrough function, allowing users to see their surroundings while wearing the headset.
The tracking system uses an inside-out method: cameras built into the goggles detect movements and positions of both the VR HMD and dedicated controllers. With the included controller, users can track hand motions to interact with virtual objects on screen—such as grasping items or navigating menus.