Oculus Rift vs. PlayStation VR: What are the Differences in Price and Specs?
Sony has recently announced that it will be holding a special event next month to present its upcoming VR device, the PlayStation VR. The company is expected to reveal details about the device during that time, including price. On the other hand, the Oculus Rift is expected to ship the first batch of pre-orders in the same month.
Consumers still divided between the two devices can take a look at what they have to offer below, where their specifications and prices are compared.
Oculus Rift vs. PlayStation VR specifications
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Consumers who will buy the Oculus Rift will get a headset with built-in headphones and microphone, Oculus sensor and remote, and an Xbox One controller. The VR device functions like a goggle and needs a Windows PC to work. The PC should ideally have an Intel i5-4590, an NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD 290 graphics card, 8 GB+ RAM. Minimum specifications include 2.4 GHz quad-core CPU, 64 GB HDD, and an NVIDIA 9800 or AMD 4870 graphics card.
Meanwhile, those interested in buying the PlayStation VR will get the virtual reality headset, 3D lens, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and positional tracking with the use of nine LEDs. The LEDs provide the device with 360-degree head tracking and about 100-degree field of view. The device has 5.7-inch OLED display with 1,920 x RGB x 1,080 resolution, with each eye set at 960 x RGB x 1,080. This translates to 120 Hz refresh rate and low latency of 18 ms. Three velcro-covered straps secure the device on the user's head.
Oculus Rift vs. PlayStation VR price
The Oculus Rift costs $599, while the PlayStation VR's price is expected to be revealed on March 15 when Sony will be presenting the device in an exclusive press event. Andrew House, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, previously said that Sony's VR device will be "priced as a new gaming platform." For comparison purposes, Sony released the PS4 with a $399 price tag.
The Verge suggests the PlayStation VR could launch as "the cheapest major VR platform," thanks to its pairing with the PS4 console. In contrast, the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, which is currently selling for $799, both require powerful PCs, which adds to the total cost of owning the device. The Oculus Rift offers PC bundles, though, which might help lower the overall cost.
