End of support for the Varjo XR-3

The end of support for the Varjo XR-3, announced for January 1, 2026, marks a decisive turning point for companies using this cutting-edge technology. This strategic decision by Varjo will directly impact professional mixed reality deployments and requires careful preparation.

The professional VR/XR headset ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and this transition to the new XR-4 models is part of a continued innovation process. Organizations must now evaluate their options and plan their technology migration.

Varjo's Official Announcement: What Really Changes

January 1, 2026, will mark the end of general support for Varjo's third-generation headsets, allowing the Finnish company to focus its resources on next-generation technologies. This decision affects professional and enterprise deployments exclusively.

Varjo's official statement emphasizes that this strategic transition aims to optimize the development of the XR-4 ecosystem. The company thus aims to offer an improved user experience and superior technical performance.

This announcement is not surprising in the technology industry, where business product lifecycles generally follow predictable patterns. However, it requires careful planning on the part of business users.

Models Directly Affected by the End of Support

Three Varjo helmet models are impacted by this decision:

Varjo XR-3 : The flagship of professional mixed reality, recognized for its exceptional resolution and advanced tracking capabilities.

Varjo VR-3 : The version dedicated exclusively to virtual reality, popular in the training and simulation sectors.

Varjo Aero : The consumer model, whose production had already been discontinued in early 2024.

Each model has specific technical features that have contributed to their adoption in different industries. Their end of support requires an individual assessment of migration needs.

Detailed Transition Timeline

The official timeline spans several critical phases:

End of 2025 : Final Varjo Base updates available to existing users.

January 1, 2026 : Permanent end of technical support and software updates.

August 10, 2025 : Deadline to benefit from the exchange offer with 25% discount.

January 1, 2028 : End of the Extended Compatibility package for those who have subscribed to it.

This planning allows companies to organize their transition without major interruption to their operational activities.

Technical Consequences of Support Discontinuation

The technical impact of this decision goes far beyond the suspension of updates. Businesses must understand the full ramifications for their existing infrastructures.

Future compatibility with third-party ecosystems is the main challenge. Without ongoing support, integration with new software versions becomes uncertain and potentially problematic.

Varjo Base Updates Final Stop

Varjo Base software will receive updates and bug fixes until the deadline of January 1, 2026. After this deadline, no new features or security fixes will be deployed.

This situation exposes users to several risks:

Security flaws discovered after 2026 will not be patched, creating potential vulnerabilities in sensitive business environments.

Lack of future optimizations limits performance and may lead to a gradual degradation of the user experience.

Compatibility with new third-party software becomes hypothetical, complicating the evolution of existing workflows.

Risks of Compatibility with Third-Party Ecosystems

Interconnecting XR-3 headsets with various third-party platforms represents a major challenge post-2026. Several critical elements are involved:

NVIDIA Drivers : Newer generations of graphics cards and their drivers may no longer effectively support older Varjo headsets.

Windows Versions : Microsoft operating system upgrades may introduce unresolved incompatibilities.

SteamVR Runtime : Valve's platform is constantly evolving, and support for older devices is not guaranteed.

Game Engines : Unity, Unreal Engine, and other development platforms may drop support for older Varjo SDKs.

These potential incompatibilities require a thorough operational risk assessment for each organization.

Solutions Proposed by Varjo for the Transition

Faced with this major transition, Varjo offers two main alternatives to support its professional clients. These solutions aim to minimize operational disruptions while encouraging the adoption of new technologies.

Varjo's approach demonstrates a commitment to maintaining customer satisfaction during this period of change. The options offered reflect an understanding of companies' budgetary and operational constraints.

The Extended Compatibility Package: A Lifeline

The Extended Compatibility package represents an interim solution for organizations requiring more time for their migration. This paid offering extends support until January 1, 2028.

Features included :

Maintained compatibility with SteamVR
Continued support for current NVIDIA drivers
Compatibility with major versions of Windows
Critical security fixes only

Important limitations :

Customer support is limited exclusively to the three compatibility areas mentioned. Other technical issues are not addressed.

This solution is particularly suitable for organizations with significant budget constraints or extended technology renewal cycles.

Preferred Exchange Offers to the XR-4 Series

Varjo is offering a 25% discount on the new XR-4 headsets for existing customers. This offer, valid until August 10, 2025, represents a substantial savings for large organizations.

Benefits of this transition :

Immediate access to the latest technological innovations
Full support and guaranteed updates
Optimized integration with modern ecosystems
Significant performance improvement

The exchange offer often constitutes the most economically advantageous solution in the long term, despite the larger initial investment.

Migration to the XR-4 Series: A Technological Leap

The XR-4 series offers a dramatically expanded 120° x 105° field of view, revolutionizing full binocular vision and introducing captivating depth to professional XR experiences.

The improvements in the XR-4 series go far beyond simple incremental updates. They represent a complete overhaul of Varjo's approach to technology.

Revolutionary Technical Improvements to the XR-4

The technical specifications of the XR-4 series mark a significant evolution:

Screen Resolution : Impressive 4K x 4K displays (3840 x 3744 with 51 PPD) delivering unmatched visual clarity in the professional industry.

Field of View : The expansion to 120° x 105° represents a substantial improvement in user immersion.

Display Technology : 4K mini-LED displays with inside-out tracking and integrated Varjo controllers, eliminating reliance on external tracking systems.

Passthrough Cameras : Two 20-megapixel front-facing cameras that mimic the way human eyes work, enabling a natural blend of real and virtual worlds.

These technical improvements result in a significantly enhanced user experience and expanded application possibilities.

Economic Benefits of the New Generation

The Varjo XR-4 no longer requires software maintenance fees and eliminates the need to purchase separate Steam controllers or trackers, significantly simplifying the business model.

This all-in-one approach reduces hidden costs often associated with professional XR deployments:

Elimination of subscriptions : No more recurring fees for software updates.

Controllers included : Substantial savings over accessories traditionally sold separately.

Simplified maintenance : Reduced internal technical support costs.

Reduced Training : Optimized user interface requiring less training.

These savings can partially offset the initial investment in the new technology.

Sectoral Impact of this Technological Transition

Industries that rely heavily on Varjo XR-3 headsets must anticipate varying impacts based on their operational specificities. This transition affects industries differently depending on their technological dependency.

Industry analysis reveals distinct patterns in the adoption and use of professional XR technologies, directly influencing migration strategies.

Sectors Most Vulnerable to this Transition

Training and Simulation : Training centers using complex XR environments risk significant operational disruptions without prior planning.

Design and Architecture : Creative studios integrating headsets into their daily workflows require absolute continuity to maintain productivity.

Research and Development : Laboratories and research institutes may see their projects impacted by future incompatibilities.

Manufacturing Industry : Predictive maintenance and technical training applications require consistent equipment reliability.

Medical Sector : Therapeutic and medical training applications do not tolerate any interruption in their established protocols.

Each sector has specific constraints requiring customized migration approaches.

Recommended Organizational Adaptation Strategies

Organizations must develop structured transition plans to minimize disruptions:

Comprehensive Technology Audit : Detailed assessment of existing infrastructure and software dependencies.

Progressive budgeting : Spread-out financial planning to absorb migration costs.

Team training : Preparing staff for new interfaces and features.

Compatibility testing : Validation of critical workflows with new technologies.

Contingency plan : Alternative strategies in case of complications during the transition.

These preventive measures ensure a smooth and controlled migration to the new technological generation.

Frequently Asked Questions about End of Support

1. Will my XR-3 headset stop working after January 1, 2026?

No, your headset will continue to work with your current configurations and Varjo Base versions available until the end of 2025. Only future updates will no longer be available.

2. Can I still purchase an XR-3 headset before support ends?

Availability depends on existing inventory at resellers. However, investing in end-of-life technology is generally not recommended for professional deployments.

3. Is the Extended Compatibility package worth the cost?

This solution is suitable for organizations that require more time for their migration or have significant budget constraints. Evaluate your specific needs before deciding.

4. Will my current apps work with the XR-4?

Most applications developed for XR-3 are compatible with XR-4, but specific testing is recommended to validate full compatibility.

5. How do I contact my Varjo account manager?

Varjo encourages customers to contact their assigned account manager directly to discuss migration options tailored to their organizational needs. If needed, you can contact Komete XR support ( support@komete-xr.com ) who will be able to put you in touch.

Conclusion: Preparing the Future of Professional Mixed Reality

The end of support for the Varjo XR-3 represents more than just a technology transition: it symbolizes the rapid evolution of the professional XR ecosystem. Proactive organizations that plan their migration now will benefit from significant competitive advantages.

This transition to the XR-4 series offers the opportunity to access the latest innovations in resolution, field of view, and system integration. The technical improvements more than justify the investment for organizations reliant on immersive technologies.

Varjo's support, including preferred exchange offers and the Extended Compatibility package, demonstrates the company's commitment to its business customers during this period of change.

The most impacted sectors must act quickly to assess their options and plan their migration. The August 10, 2025, deadline for the preferential offer is approaching, requiring informed decisions as quickly as possible.

The future of professional mixed reality looks promising, with increasingly powerful and accessible technologies. This transition marks the beginning of a new era for XR applications in the enterprise.

For more information on Varjo products and migration options, visit the official Varjo website .