Sharp has officially stepped into the world of virtual reality with a rather unexpected device — the Xrostella VR1, a lightweight, tethered PC VR headset that also connects to select Sharp smartphones.
The Xrostella VR1 comes equipped with dual 2160×2160 LCD panels and “light-efficient” pancake lenses, offering a 90-degree field of view. It includes two grayscale fisheye tracking cameras for positional tracking and a single color passthrough camera. Its controllers look strikingly similar to those of the Quest 2, though they feature slightly larger tracking rings for improved accuracy.
One of the standout features is its remarkably low weight. The headset’s main body weighs only 198 grams, making it lighter than nearly all current consumer VR headsets — second only to the Bigscreen Beyond 2 and Shiftall MeganeX.
Sharp has also ensured flexibility in comfort and vision adjustments, supporting IPD (interpupillary distance) settings between 58mm and 71mm, along with diopter adjustments ranging from 0D to -9.0D.
While primarily designed for PC VR experiences, the Xrostella VR1 also offers compatibility with Sharp’s AQUOS sense10 smartphone, allowing users to project their phone’s display onto a fixed virtual screen. The company mentioned that support for additional smartphone models will be rolled out gradually.
However, some design choices raise eyebrows. The headset only uses two tracking cameras, a setup not seen since the early days of Windows Mixed Reality headsets — a configuration that limits controller tracking range. The single passthrough camera also means users won’t experience accurate depth perception or scale during mixed reality use.
Additionally, the absence of eye tracking and hand tracking features might limit its appeal among social VR enthusiasts and VRChat users. Meanwhile, the narrow field of view and standard resolution may not satisfy simulation or high-end PC VR gamers.
It’s not yet clear who Sharp is targeting with the Xrostella VR1. If priced affordably, it could serve as an accessible entry point for casual users seeking a lightweight, PC-based VR experience. However, that depends heavily on its final price point and overall performance.
Sharp plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign for the Xrostella VR1 later this month on Japan’s GREENFUNDING platform. While it’s unusual for a major tech brand to take this route, it may simply be Sharp’s way of gauging market interest before committing to a full-scale production.
The VR industry has seen plenty of bold experiments, and Sharp’s entry with the Xrostella VR1 adds another intriguing twist — one that could either redefine lightweight VR or remain a niche curiosity.
