Experts predict VR’s next major evolution will focus on ultra-thin displays and lighter headsets

Virtual reality has already undergone two game-changing revolutions—the introduction of affordable, high-quality displays and the rise of standalone headsets like the Meta Quest. But is another seismic shift on the horizon?

According to industry experts, the next major VR breakthrough won’t just improve image quality but will radically shrink headset size, making them thinner, lighter, and more accessible to mainstream users. Meta’s Holocake 2 prototype and its Mirror Lake concept hint at the future—a compact, energy-efficient device with near-retinal resolution and advanced optics.

While cutting-edge eye-tracking, micro-OLED displays, and cloud-streamed VR could revolutionise the experience, form factor may be the biggest hurdle preventing mass adoption. Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth speculates that by 2031, VR headsets could be as light as sunglasses while maintaining high-fidelity graphics.

Despite promising innovations, experts caution that true hardware breakthroughs may take more than five years to materialise. Until then, the industry is set for gradual improvements rather than a sweeping technological revolution.

For now, VR remains in its infancy, but the next game-changing leap may not be far away. Will it finally push virtual reality into the mainstream?