VRHow / Headsets / Varjo XR-4 Series

Varjo XR-4 Series: XR-4 vs Focal vs Secure

Short answer: The Varjo XR-4 Series is a tethered, Windows-based enterprise mixed-reality family for training, simulation and design work. The standard XR-4 uses fixed-focus passthrough, the XR-4 Focal Edition adds gaze-driven autofocus, and the XR-4 Secure Edition is the TAA-compliant, Finland-assembled option for classified or air-gapped deployments. This is a procurement guide, not a hands-on review. Last checked October 11, 2026.

What the family shares

Varjo lists three XR-4 models: XR-4, XR-4 Focal Edition and XR-4 Secure Edition. Across the family, the published platform specification is substantial: dual 3840 × 3744-per-eye mini-LED displays, a 120° × 105° field of view, 200 Hz eye tracking, automatic 56–72 mm IPD adjustment, integrated spatial audio and noise-cancelling microphones. The product page also lists inside-out tracking, SteamVR tracking, optical hand tracking and third-party tracking integrations through an API. Varjo describes the range for air, land and sea training and simulation rather than as a general consumer headset.

Family feature	Published specification
Displays	3840 × 3744 per eye; mini-LED; up to 51 pixels per degree
Field of view	120° × 105°
Eye tracking	200 Hz gaze tracking; foveated rendering; automatic 56–72 mm IPD
Passthrough/depth	Dual 20 MP cameras; 300 kpix LiDAR with 7 m range; ambient-light sensing and night mode (up to 51 PPD applies to Focal autofocus passthrough)
Connection and platform	Tethered Windows PC; DisplayPort and USB-C; Varjo Base software

The “up to 51 PPD” passthrough figure is not the same for every variant: Varjo’s product catalog identifies the standard XR-4 at 33 PPD passthrough and the Focal Edition at up to 51 PPD. The shared display resolution and the passthrough camera result should not be conflated.

Three variants, three procurement decisions

XR-4: fixed-focus passthrough

The standard XR-4 is the fixed-focus model. Varjo’s comparison explains that its cameras maintain a consistent depth of field. That makes it the sensible starting point when the main workload is virtual content and passthrough is mainly for orientation, spatial awareness or larger physical elements. It still has the family’s high-resolution displays, depth sensing and tracking features, but it does not have the Focal Edition’s gaze-driven autofocus system.

XR-4 Focal Edition: autofocus for real objects

The Focal Edition is the choice when the trainee must read or manipulate real, nearby things: cockpit instruments, switches, labels, maintenance parts or a physical vehicle station. Its gaze-driven autofocus uses the 200 Hz eye tracker and depth sensing to adjust camera focus; Varjo states that passthrough can reach up to 51 PPD. That is a capability distinction, not a claim that every application or user will see a particular experience. The extra camera system matters most where near-field physical detail is part of the task; it is not automatically necessary for a primarily virtual scene.

XR-4 Secure Edition: controlled deployments

Secure Edition is the security and supply-chain variant, not simply a faster XR-4. Varjo says it is assembled in Finland, is TAA-compliant, and can be configured without radio components. It is designed to run completely offline for classified, government and closed-loop environments. Varjo’s Secure page says it is available in fixed-focus and autofocus configurations, so “Secure” does not by itself tell you which passthrough optics a project receives. Confirm that choice in the quotation. Secure Edition retains the family’s published visual and tracking capabilities, but the security configuration and procurement requirements are the defining reasons to select it.

PC, software and deployment requirements

This family is not standalone: Varjo’s support requirements call for Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11, Varjo Base, one DisplayPort 1.4-or-newer output and a directly chipset-connected USB-C port supporting USB 10 Gbps or faster. AMD graphics cards are currently not supported. For a desktop minimum-performance baseline, Varjo lists a modern eight-core CPU, 32 GB RAM and examples including GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 4080 or RTX 3090; its best-performance tier calls for 64 GB RAM and examples including GeForce RTX 5090 or RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell. The page says the best tier is intended for demanding native-resolution simulation, while the minimum tier is for lighter scenes. Varjo also notes that the motherboard/chipset must support the required high-throughput USB transactions, or a compatible PCIe expansion card may be needed.

SteamVR is optional for OpenVR applications and for SteamVR-tracked configurations; Varjo says SteamVR for Enterprise/Government can be installed for offline use. The manufacturer also offers a pre-validated XR workstation bundle and Varjo Alpha professional services. Treat the headset, workstation, tracking method, controllers, software licensing and integration support as a deployment package rather than assuming a consumer-style box includes everything.

Availability and price caveats

As of October 11, 2026, Varjo’s product catalog shows “Order now” links for all three variants, but those links go to Talk to Sales. Varjo’s webstore announcement says the direct store closed on October 8, 2025; business buyers are directed to its sales team. That is clear evidence of enterprise-oriented procurement, not proof of retail stock in every country. A specialist reseller, Knox Labs, displayed dated configuration listings when checked: $10,380.15 for its XR-4 Fixed Focus listing and $20,775.15 for its XR-4 Focal Edition listing, each with a stated 5–10-day shipping estimate. These are reseller prices, not Varjo-published MSRP, and the reseller says final terms can change with freight, import treatment, configuration and project requirements. Secure Edition pricing was not used here because the available listing distinguishes radio and no-radio configurations and should not be generalized.

Who should choose which?

Choose XR-4 when virtual content is primary and fixed-focus passthrough is sufficient.
Choose XR-4 Focal Edition when physical, near-field details are a core training task.
Choose XR-4 Secure Edition when TAA compliance, Finnish assembly, offline operation or configurable radio removal is a procurement requirement; then specify fixed-focus or autofocus separately.

Before ordering, validate the exact variant, passthrough mode, radio configuration, tracking, controllers, workstation GPU, Varjo Base tier and offline/licensing requirements with Varjo or the authorized seller. For other models, return to the VRHow headset directory.