iFixit's PS VR2 Teardown- A $550 Compromise

Rejoice, ye Sony faithful, for the PS VR2 has arrived! And it looks like Sony did the hard work of tearing it down for us. PS VR2 is Sony’s second foray into the metaverse since the 2016 release of PS VR but the industry has come leaps and bounds since then. In a nutshell, t this VR headset is a balance between new and expensive, and old and affordable. What we’d really like to know is: what can we do to fix this $550 compromise if it breaks.
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Check out our teardown of the original PSVR
• PlayStation VR Teardow...
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:54 Disassembling the Headset
01:17 Quest 2 Vibes
01:55 Mainboards Compared
02:34 Meat and Potatoes
03:44 PS VR2 OLED Panels
04:25 IR Eye-tracking
04:44 Headband & Cushions
04:53 Brain Rumble Motors
05:09 Controller Disassembly
05:19 IR Tracking Ring
05:56 We Void Warranties
06:02 Controller Battery
06:12 Drift Prone Thumbsticks & Trigger
06:35 Outro
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[@purplegill10]

Words cannot express how badly I want this to be compatible with PC and to have parts available for home repair. This is SUCH a good design in the world of headsets and knowing it's gonna be locked to a ps5 is disappointing but understandable from the business side of things.

[@the-MaZe]

I wouldn't nessesarily say it would be bad form a buisness standpoint to open this to PCs. Sony has now published several big Play Station Titles on the PC (on Steam) and the 550$ would also be a punch in the face for other manufacturers of such headsets aldougth it can be only used with a PC. But Gamers mostly use their VR Headsets with their PC because... PCs are Faster than every SOC in a portable device and can deliver stunning Experiences. So TLDR: I think it would be a smart deseition from Sony to open up this to PC Gamers. Also they could blame Microsoft that they have nothing on their Console like this ;D

[@the-MaZe]

@SmokeKing out of everything this is the easiest problem to overcome with that.

[@purplegill10]

@smokeking3449 You don't need direct storage to run a vr headset. Unless sony did something special with their headset it's just only communicating with your gpu rather than your storage.

[@sagebrushrepair]

Imagine the preorders they could get if we could just get it on steam. Imagine Sony trying to better their industry.

[@Wanted797]

Maybe someone will hack it to work

[@Cam_Cam_Cam_Cam]

This looks as easy to get into and repair yourself as the OLED Vita! So happy to see that that's the case. Sony really did great with this.

[@ItsAkile]

great comparison

[@scottvogel8477]

The fact that you encountered no glue to get to the parts you'll have to replace eventually is really cool on their part.

[@PSNGormond]

Good video, I enjoy your presentation style and how you value the time of those who watch and get straight to the point.

[@eathenalexander2836]

regardless how you feel about Sony or their consoles. I'm happy to see this head set be modular enough so it can be fixed many years come.

[@crowman6330]

Yeah sony always made their stuff fairly easly repairable, and im happy they don't make it harder for us

[@williamsanborn9195]

I guess Sony took a page from former Nintendo engineer Gunpei Yokoi’s concept of “lateral thinking of withered technology”.

[@yorgborg7899]

What does that mean?

[@Meltdownlv100]

​@@yorgborg7899 I'm guessing find new ways to get the most out of older technology

[@RoyHoy]

​@@Meltdownlv100 If that was true, they wouldn't be using analog sticks that can lead to stick drift.

[@ArgyrosVivum]

Man , the ps5 , needs an HDMI pass trough like the XBOX Project Scorpio. To enjoy other stuff on the VR 2 , idk

[@massimomenato]

The only old tech they're using is fresnel lenses (which is still the standard for cheap vr headsets btw), soo I'm pretty curious to understand what you mean with that quote lol

[@izzard]

Lovely video but I think you missed a trick by skipping over the one part people care most about: replacing the cable.

[@Luzgar]

It's amazing what can be achieved when you actually try.

[@KingCrimson82]

wow. Really repairfriendly device. I had a faulty flex cable for the audio in my rift and had to buy a new rift because the repair was out of what is realistic to do for me.

[@Mitsurugi2424]

We call it a $500 compromise, but it preforms better than an Index that costs 1k....still. If this thing worked on a PC, I'd get one to replace my Quest 2.

[@ronaldov09]

Quest 3 will be out in no time

[@shivamarya5225]

Ikr, he's critisizing Fresnel lenses here but not on the valve index teardown even though that costs double and comes with lcd

[@marcelmarcon971]

@@shivamarya5225 pancake lenses weren't mass produced when the index came out, they just recently became a thing that manufacturers adapted

[@TheDuck1234]

Don't get your hopes up when, the point of the VR is to sell the consoles and make devs make game on thier consoles for it. im 90% sure they are sell this headset at a loss just to make people buy the PS5

[@shivamarya5225]

@@marcelmarcon971 what? Pancake lenses have been mass produced by for cameras since the 60s when Nikon started selling them. Where did you get that idea from?

[@FrostKittyPaw]

Brad is now a staple name in VR videos XD Love these teardowns!

[@Gaming-Enthusiast]

Loving my Vr2 , cant stop playing it

[@harperspodcast]

What an extremely pleasant individual you are to listen to.

[@HarryL2020]

Hopefully this sets a new benchmark, absolutely amazing for the price wish PC had something this competitive

[@Gyfrctgtdbhf]

The old adage in the world of amateur astronomy when it comes to quality of optics ,“ you get what you pay for “, also applies to VR it seems.

[@shenmeowzo]

Great video. I'm glad the cushions just pop off and on, I'm tempted to fill them with something cos they feel a bit less comfortable than PSVR1. Amazing headset. Absolutely loving the games

[@sinom]

No. Lighthouse is not outside in tracking. It's marker based inside out tracking. It would be outside in tracking if the base stations have cameras like the PSVR1 or the Oculus Rift did it.

[@stevebobowski3507]

I'm very happy with the resolution and visual quality of my varjo aero

[@MattsChipTunes]

Shel Silverstein breaking down and explaining the makeup of a VR headset? I’m in.

[@HellSpawnRulerOfHell]

Um, Ackchyually... Lighthouse is marker based inside-out Also the PSVR 2 HMD is inside-out The controllers are outside-in

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

Is it hard to reinstall the rubber on the headband? I wanted to see if it's possible to add some cushioning behind the rubber on the front of the band... Because I have to tighten it pretty hard to keep the sweetspot in place and that causes headaches ☹️ Because it's just one rubber piece that's clicked into the plastic, I'm expecting it won't be very easy to place it back after removing it...

[@CrashBashL]

Would it be possible to change the glass lenses with better ones that do not blur the image on the edges?! Because right now, using these lenses you can only see clear in the middle of the screen. That's the sweet spot.

[@FarrelClement]

Lighthouse is inside out. That was the defining difference between SteamVR and the original Rift when they released. The Rift used Constellation, which was Outside In and required USB connections to the PC. The Vive used SteamVR tracking, which was Inside Out and didn't require any sort of connection to the PC at all as a result.

[@neeloy]

Yup the external modules for Lighthouse don't require any connection to a PC, just power. They shoot out beams of light that scan across the room in a set pattern, hence the name Lighthouse. There are simple light sensors in the controllers and headset that pickup the patterns. With a little math you get a very accurate position relative to the external modules which simply shoot out the light patterns constantly. Tons of advantages over cameras because the math is way way simpler than processing a bunch of camera feeds. It's super clever.

[@Chronovengers]

Looks great! The psvr one was dead the second the tether cable was damaged. This looks like all you have to do is replace the headband at worst.

[@importon]

Pancake lenses are way darker ruining the experience. This is not a compromise. The image coming from PSV2 is beautiful in part because of the lens choice.

[@PointShotDR]

"I'm going to make this device super easy to fix, but you won't be able to because I won't sell you parts."

[@wjveryzer7985]

I recently replaced the back head rest and front and replaced with the globular cluster psvr 2 comfort mod and it was the best thing i ever did

[@Cavscout101]

Is it possible to run the OLEDs outside the unit? That could look interesting

[@Darkitz69]

Calling it a compromise is barely reprentative of how good it actually is, imo. It looks incerdibly well built and has better hardware than other headsets at a comparable pricepoint.

[@vladislavdonchev1271]

I've had it since launch and it's definitely an impressive piece of technology for the price. And that's really the compromise... No Hall effect sticks and a lower resolution OLED screens than what's actually available on the market today, just to keep that price down. Lack of wireless connectivity also still has the benefit of neglible latency through the USB connection and keeping weight down, which is actually awesome. I say Sony made all of the right choices for VR2, already more than excited for VR3! Now it's just up to us, the developers, to create more VR-enabled content.

[@Girvo747]

Of course: it’s a loss leader (or near enough) that’s made up for by software licensing. No one else can compete with that lol

[@matinprsd]

Clickbait title and it worked

[@joeydube420]

I; literally just wanted to know how to remove the HDMI cables. Wow. Nice work Einstein.

[@ZZZXYZ]

was hoping for cost breakdown, does sound on target though shops take a 50$ cut or more.

[@aryjarvis3161]

Fresnel lenses for hdr support feels like an acceptable sidegrade. Would I still kill for a headset more like bigscreen beyond? Of course

[@ooiiooiiooii]

I would say the batteries for the controllers should be far more accessible IMO. I understand needing to repair a stick but a battery? Every user should be able to replace their battery with ease.

[@chaosjoey123]

3:15 Thats where the Beyscreen Beyond comes in!

[@carlosb8130]

Good Stuff!

[@damiresq]

No way vr2 has a cooler as well ? omg :)) I am so amazed by all this design

[@AKK5I]

It just seems to be a small IC fan, I wonder if you could modify it and put a larger noctua cooler and have a sort of active cooling system for your face

[@James.Gatsby]

this is another level of innovation.

[@benji6704]

Please do a Pico 4 teardown to see how feasible it is for individuals to replace parts such as the joy stick, battery pack etc. Thanks😉

[@Piasecznik72]

If you are willing to do some experiment with high probability of irreversible damage, can you try to remove filter film from top of the display panels and see how it looks like?

[@LMA2]

Gotta love when we compare a $1500 device with a $550 one

[@AQDuck]

Lighthouse tracking is also inside-out tracking, a common misconception.

[@TomJ-wr9nb]

Can you please further tear down the cable connector to see which company's chip is enabling the Active Cable single-cable design?

[@samfisher9229]

Thanks a lot for the teardown, I was having problems trying to disengage the cable from the headband insides. I'm trying to design something to attach a face mount as quest 2 has to the psvr2, I cant tolerate this PSVR2 forehead mount and I have psvr2 kept without being able to use it. Too unconfortable for me. I can say, psvr2 visor works perfectly with unplugged sound cable and head vibration motor.

[@Hannah_The_Heretic]

I'd like to see a video of that.

[@8giallu7]

Hi! Thanks for your video!! Just a little question: After a little hit with a chair, my right sense has the thumbstick that point left making it useless. I want to try to take a look inside before reach sony for repair, if i open it i break some warranty sigil or something? Sorry for the long comment! 😂 Thanks again!!

[@holodoctor1]

Is the purpose of the fan to remove moisture and heat from the air in the headset while using it, or is it purely to blow air over the interior components?

[@1000Orgasms]

Stellar video. 👍👍👍

[@rad6666]

Fantastic video, I get about 6-7 hours from my handsets.

[@UssyMustyYS]

Incredible

[@DaveGamesVT]

The drifting controllers is an automatic no for me. Start using hall sensors FFS. And no, before anyone mentions cost, it's not an issue. Google the cost of hall effect sticks vs the crappy ones.

[@Sevent77]

As great as it is no backwards compatibility with VR1 games and no PC support make this extremely tough sell.

[@hookedworm17thehoosiergamecat]

Thank you for your video. The tension wheel for the strap has seized up on me. Do you think by dismantling the wheel I could get it back on track? It's so strange that I used the release button to remove the head set but the wheel never reset and is locked. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@RoyHoy]

6:07 It last 4-5 hours. Not 3.

[@D4rk51d332]

I would love if Ifixit came out with a replacement cable. It's criminal that sony charges an arm and a leg to replace it and won't sell an replacement

[@DoABarrilRoll]

i would have loved to see those dismantled OLED panels in aktion

[@shanejacobsen6311]

So you can replace the cable. Now where is it available??

[@MarcusThomas-no6it]

Can y'all make a video taking it apart and putting it back together please

[@ThermalWorld_]

Finally Sony do the right thing about repairability.. Thanks Sony.. 🔥

[@crowman6330]

Sony isn't a perfect company, but they always made it fairly easy to repair their stuff so im happy they didnt change that

[@ahmeti.7595]

You still can't repair it if the cable is damaged. Sony asks 300$ for repair of the cable.

[@ThermalWorld_]

@@ahmeti.7595 It's not to hard to repair the cable! I can repair the entire electric board if needed.

[@ahmeti.7595]

​@@ThermalWorld_I am talking about replacing the cable. Sony should provide spare cables but they don't. Are you going to manufacture the cable yourself?

[@ThermalWorld_]

@@ahmeti.7595 you don't need to replace the entire cable!!! Just repair it on the broken point, not very hard to do.. If you don't know how to repair anything, bring it to repair center. Easy to repair doesn't mean you need to have everything as a spare parts for repair!

[@SnacksMpls]

I’m getting 4-6 hours depending on how much the games seem to use the haptics.

[@austin4700]

Imagine if they came out with better lenses you could buy and put in

[@haukkes8546]

it is technically a 1000 headset as it cannot be used without a ps5 until a pc solution is made.

[@billyelliotx]

How are fresnel lenses an upgrade over the single element? Fresnel has artifacts and a proper single element would be better visually, although at a higher cost. Granted you can get cheap single element lenses that are done poorly. It was the one thing I love about my PSVR1 and HATED about my HP Reverb G2.

[@PrinzMidas]

No artifacts. Godrays.

[@ChiquitaSpeaks]

The true solution to the screens is micro LED which really should be a perfect foray for them into the market along with cell phone screens when they finally catch up with the manufacturing

[@patrickdanneker5480]

I don't see how micro LEDs should be possible in such a small format and that high pixel density in the near future

[@marcinmoleda3879]

Hi. I just have a tech related question. I have the psvr2 unit, but I think, that the headband is broken. The initial grip (without using the dial) in psvr1 was far more tighter. In psvr2 when I press the button and try to get that initial grip with the band - it is sliding off my face and head. OK, when I use the dial, the headband clicks and I can get the headband tighter. Button releases the grip and the headset falls off my head again - almost no "initial grip" . The headband itself, when pulled back and released, returns to the original position. Is it designed like this? Should the initial grip (without using the dial) feel so loose?

[@epiphaner]

Yes, the button basically disengages the headset strap. You need to turn the gear at least a little bit to re-engage it.

[@ramschasar7654]

My Quest 1 has the same oled + lense combination as the psvr2.

[@eSKAone-]

My Thrustmaster T300 + Wheel Stand Pro V2 + IKEA Poäng are very happy 💟

[@69jeffb69]

is there any way to move the lenses closer together than the closest setting? my eyes are closer together than average and i cant quite get my pupils perfectly in the middle of the lenses.

[@ramschasar7654]

Is there a good way to tie these controllers to my hands like the Index knuckles or kiwi controller strap for quest? Being able to fully open my hands is something i dont want to miss on a new system. Its just so much more immersive when throwing or catching something as well as comfortable during longer sessions.

[@Nu11u5]

Since the tracking ring is around your wrist it does a good job at keeping the controllers in your hands even if you loosen your grip. Unless you open your grip completely and pull your thumb in they won't slip off, and the short lanyard keeps them from slipping off completely. Not covered is that the controller has linear proximity detection functionality in the lower fingers (R1/L1), index finger (R2/L2), and thumb (top buttons/stick) allowing basic gesture detection with no or minimal pressure. Open palm gestures work as expected when a game supports them.

[@phoenixvance6642]

I'd definitely have looked into getting one. Sadly, being locked to a PS5 means it's off the table for me. Hopefully the next thing Valve comes up with is as repairable and affordable. I wouldn't expect Oculus to achieve the repairable part, but you never know.

[@DaweezMauiWowee]

I can see Sony allowing driver compatibility on Steam allowing PC users to use them at some point. Especially if it underperforms as a PS5 peripheral

[@thebyzocker]

@@DaweezMauiWowee if not I hope there will be 3rd party ones like for the psvr1

[@killertruth186]

Sadly it is currently an expensive paperweight. I would’ve get one myself later on.

[@ArchusKanzaki]

@@thebyzocker LTT have got pretty good review of it, but unfortunately, the guy that is doing PSVR1 is probably not doing it. The complexity of PSVR2, and the fact that even PSVR1 compatibility is still abit spotty, means that the guy won't be doing it.

[@anom6707]

@@DaweezMauiWowee I wouldnt be surprised if they add support for PC as they have been more open then ever before with adding playstation exclusives (albeit at a much later date) to pc, something which was previously unheard of. Adding PSVR 2 support to PC could allow them to sell their own VR titles like Horizon. If enough people bother Sony maybe they'll do it at some point.

[@str8poisintv131]

High risk high reward video.

[@fabianoperes2155]

4:40 Is there any material similar to faux leather like the Pulse 3d pads that degrade over time and come off parts?

[@brendanhutton7452]

I wanna know if that main cable can be replaced?

[@BigodsOFC]

i see the title and i imagine its the game TearDown its on PSVR now

[@BrianBGeronimo]

I really do hope VR manufacturers take a note on this. I'd buy a PSVR2 if it would work on PC.

[@cusman]

Very cool. I also hate glue.

[@shmookins]

How do the soft plastic rings hold things instead of glue?

[@DunderKlomp]

Friction

[@aut0m4t1c_jack]

what's the repairability score??

[@Ash-re2fe]

I think they stopped giving a score, I haven’t actually seen one recently on their channel. I’d presume it got a 10 though. I believe if the most difficult part of a device can be replaced without breaking any of the hardware by an average user, it deserves a full score. Maybe a 9 due to one or two of the plastic clips breaking but it’s miles better than glue.

[@NikolaBg35]

Any thoughts on wedging something in between optical units to gain additional 1-2 mm of IPD?

[@kamikentaro]

The IPD is mechanically adjustable on the psvr 2

[@NikolaBg35]

@@kamikentaro Max IPD on PSVR2 is not enough for me.

[@Mickice]

Quest 3 has a lot to live up to. You already know what thing is gonna be heavy and hot.

[@redbuIIracing33]

You should try disassemble Sony's Xperia. Are those repair-friendly? Unlike apples and samsungs.

[@K3S3M]

The whole video I’m saying it’s gonna be a 10 in the repair ability scale and you didn’t even include it

[@h8_mE]

Ifixit, please release a custom PC case that can house a laptop motherboard so you can repurpose any broken laptop into a functioning Desktop PC.

[@cronus33]

How you actually remove the rear cushion properly?

[@livebyyourpassion4628]

Would it be possible to upgrade to pancake lenses ourselves?

[@jimbob-jimmyhcgaming3013]

What about the cable is that replaceable mines starting to come apart at the headset end

[@lew708]

Well, so goes the complaints about the cord breaking or fraying…..Seems super simple to replace the back rest, if the cord breaks…No tools needed…good look Sony.

[@LegendaryGodKing]

Thank you ifix it. You are the push the industry needs. This headset was only built well because they knew pre engineing it knowing that people like you would look at its repairability. I'm now mad that I have an Xbox.

[@RETRONuts]

If one of these Inferred eye tracker sensor disconnects around the lens, it start to flash red and after 5-10 seconds it turns off the PSVR2, like it has a fault.

[@xGIGAx]

I hope that Sony add some controls to the fan. Resi 8 gets really scary and I need more fan power to cool my face 🥵

[@gamingjay141]

Open a window? Or maybe eat healthier dude.

[@theclassicgamer20]

I think the fan is mostly there to avoid the lense fogging up

[@patfer1189]

One other difference of the "tethered to PS5" approach vs a Quest: you won't be able to produce graphics like GT7 on a Quest.

[@rjdaire38]

A very fair price for a headset that oushes the limits of our current technology to the furthest it can be without being technology that is actually 15 years in the future

[@lorenzoisidori4360]

Where i can found a cable for change the Original? Mine cable is broken

[@R1Willem]

My brother just fell off a barstool while kayaking. Now one screen is dead. 😢 Trying to send it back to Sony for repair

[@TheMineArtist]

If ifixit sells pancake lenses for the psvr2 I'd buy them

[@jjsavior]

I noticed the end of the type c chord that plugs🔌 into the ps5 will tend to bend no matter what position you put it in. I'm pretty sure this will eventually lead to a short. Does anyone have any suggestions. Laying the ps5 horizontal will still have the same effect.

[@Iumey]

Connect the cable to a short extender (must support DP and USB3). If that fails, at least the main tether won’t.

[@kuri911]

I've yet to accidentally yank the PSVR2 cord from the PS5 but I secure the cord on to the desk next to the PS5 with some duct tape. This way, if I yank on the cord during play, the tape will prevent me from yanking the plug off the PS5. Not exactly fancy but a quick, cheap way of protecting the USB C jack and PSVR2 plug.

[@Fishstaebchen_]

Is there a chance to put some foam behind the front cushion? It to hard and hurts my foreskin.

[@UberSynth]

I wonder because the PSVR2 is powered by its USBC connection, the games aren’t installed on the headset, surely you could look at the the possibility of connecting to a PC. Is it not like a video receiver? It can’t be much different to that of the way any headset connects to a PC using USBC 🤔

[@RamjeProductions]

I'm actually ready to pay the actual costs of the PSVR2 if it allows me to use it on PC. Sony, release a *_Windows Mixed Reality_* variant for 800 dollars and I'll buy it in a heartbeat.

[@samgao]

Can you replace the USB-C cable that you’re tethered to?

[@asdf_asdf948]

Yes, it's detachable, but it doesn't look like it's a regular usb-c cable

[@johannassburg]

Yeah it looks like a special l shaped usb 3.2 gen whatever cable. So 20gbps? 🤔

[@TuTAH_1]

Controller's accumulator (battery) IS bad at all! 3 hours is very tiny lifetime + I can't just hotswap it as a AA battery + there's only one cable to charge the controllers in the box. I never understood why do some people prefer accumulator batteries instead of swappable batteries. I won't argue you didn't say about Mura effect, motion blur and other screen problems - it's not a review. But I can't agree that the batteries aren't bad at all.

[@Cordovan]

can't wait for Apple Reality headset 😍😍