Augmented reality (AR) and holographic displays are often mentioned together because both can combine digital content with the physical world. However, they are not the same technology.
The main difference is how the digital content is presented to the viewer. Augmented reality overlays digital information onto the user’s view of the real world, usually through a smartphone, tablet, smart glasses or AR headset. A holographic display uses specialised display and optical technology to create a three-dimensional or hologram-like visual that can be seen in physical space without requiring an AR headset.
Understanding this difference is important when choosing a technology for retail, advertising, events, education, entertainment or other immersive experiences.
What Is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality is a technology that adds digital information to a user’s view of the physical world.
An AR experience can include:
3D objects;
text and graphics;
animations;
navigation information;
product visualisations;
digital characters;
interactive elements;
sound and other digital information.
AR is normally experienced through a device such as a smartphone, tablet, smart glasses or an AR headset. The device uses cameras, sensors and software to understand or display information in relation to the user’s surroundings.
For example, a retailer can create an AR application that allows a customer to see how a piece of furniture might look in their home. The physical room remains visible, while the digital furniture is added to the user’s view.
Key characteristics of AR
Device-based experience: The viewer normally needs a smartphone, tablet, glasses or headset.
Digital overlay: Virtual content is placed within the user’s view of the physical environment.
Interactive: AR applications can respond to user movement, gestures, location or other inputs.
Personalised: Different users can see different content depending on their device, position or interaction.
Real-time: Digital elements can change as the user moves or interacts with the environment.
What Is a Holographic Display?
The term “hologram” is used in several different ways, so it is important to distinguish traditional holography from commercial holographic displays.
In physics and optics, holography refers to a specific technique for recording and reconstructing information about light using interference and diffraction.
Commercial products described as holographic displays can use different technologies to create a three-dimensional or hologram-like visual effect. These can include projection, reflection, transparent surfaces, rotating LED displays and other optical or display systems.
HYPERVSN, for example, uses a rapidly rotating LED-based display system to create 3D visuals that appear to float in mid-air. The system combines display hardware, software and 3D content.
This distinction is important: not every commercial product marketed as a “hologram” is a traditional optical hologram.
What Is the Difference Between AR and a Holographic Display?
The simplest way to understand the difference is to ask:
Does the digital content appear inside the viewer’s device, or is it presented by a physical display that people can see directly?
With AR, the digital content is normally presented through the user’s device.
With a holographic display, the display itself produces the visual experience, allowing people in the surrounding environment to see the content directly.
Feature
Augmented Reality
Holographic Display
Main concept
Digital content overlaid on the user’s view of reality
3D or hologram-like visual presented by a physical display
Typical hardware
Smartphone, tablet, smart glasses or AR headset
Dedicated display hardware
Special glasses required
Often device-dependent
Many commercial systems are designed for naked-eye viewing
Physical environment
Remains visible through the AR device
Remains visible around the display
Audience
Often individual or device-based
Can be shared by people in the physical space
Content
Digital overlays and 3D objects
3D visuals, animations, products, characters and other content
Installation
Software/app plus compatible device
Physical display installation
Typical applications
Product visualisation, navigation, training, mobile experiences
Retail, events, advertising, entertainment and experiential displays
The exact experience depends on the technology. Some AR systems can be highly immersive, while different holographic display technologies can provide very different viewing experiences.
Do Holographic Displays Need a Headset?
Not necessarily.
Many commercial holographic display systems are designed to be viewed directly by the human eye without AR glasses or a VR headset.
For example, HYPERVSN displays use rotating LED-based display elements to produce 3D visuals that appear to float in space. The viewer can see the content directly rather than through a smartphone or headset.
This makes the technology particularly suitable for shared physical environments where several people need to see the same visual experience.
AR vs Holograms: Which Is Better?
There is no single technology that is better for every application.
The appropriate choice depends on the experience you want to create.
AR can be suitable when:
each user needs an individual experience;
digital content needs to be overlaid on the user’s surroundings;
users already have compatible smartphones or AR devices;
the application requires location or camera-based interaction;
the experience needs to travel with the user.
A holographic display can be suitable when:
multiple people need to see the same content;
the experience takes place in a physical location;
the display itself needs to attract attention;
the installation is part of a retail or event environment;
products or characters need to appear as three-dimensional visuals;
the experience should not require every visitor to wear a headset.
AR vs Holographic Displays in Retail
Both technologies can be used in retail, but they create different types of experiences.
Augmented reality in retail
AR can allow customers to interact with digital information through their own smartphones or AR devices.
Examples include:
visualising furniture in a room;
trying virtual products;
viewing additional product information;
interacting with virtual characters;
exploring 3D product models.
Holographic displays in retail
A holographic display can act as a physical focal point inside a store, showroom or shop window.
Examples include:
3D product demonstrations;
promotional campaigns;
digital humans;
product launches;
interactive product presentations;
branded visual experiences.
Because the display is visible directly in the physical environment, it can also become part of the store’s visual merchandising.
AR vs Holographic Displays at Events
Events present another important difference.
An AR experience may require every participant to use a compatible device. A holographic display can instead create a shared visual experience in the venue itself.
Holographic displays can be used for:
product presentations;
digital presenters;
entertainment;
3D visualisations;
brand activations;
immersive installations;
live or pre-recorded holographic experiences.
The choice depends on the number of viewers, venue, interaction requirements and type of content.
What About VR?
Virtual reality is different from both AR and holographic displays.
VR replaces the user’s view of the physical environment with a computer-generated environment, normally through a VR headset.
The three technologies can therefore be simplified as follows:
AR: digital content is added to the user’s view of the real world.
VR: the user enters a digitally generated environment.
Holographic display: a physical display creates a three-dimensional or hologram-like visual that people can see directly in the surrounding environment.
Technology
Real environment visible?
Usually requires a headset?
Shared physical experience?
AR
Yes
Device-dependent
Usually limited
VR
Usually no
Yes
Usually individual
Holographic display
Yes
No for many commercial systems
Yes
How Does HYPERVSN Fit Into This?
HYPERVSN develops 3D holographic display solutions for commercial and experiential applications.
Its display technology uses a rotating LED-based system to create 3D visuals that appear to float in mid-air. HYPERVSN combines the display hardware with software and 3D content solutions.
The HYPERVSN ecosystem includes solutions for different applications, including:
For example, HYPERVSN SmartV Wall combines multiple SmartV displays into a scalable installation that can present a large 3D visual or multiple pieces of content.
The HYPERVSN Holographic Human solution uses multiple SmartV Solo displays in a vertical configuration to create a life-size 3D human visual.
Holographic Display vs AR: A Simple Example
Imagine a new car launch.
With AR, visitors could point their smartphone at the car and see a digital layer containing specifications, animations or additional information.
With a holographic display, the brand could present a 3D visual of the car, its components or a digital presenter directly in the event space.
Both approaches can be immersive, but the experience is fundamentally different.
AR adds digital information to the viewer’s perspective.
A holographic display makes the digital visual itself part of the physical environment.
Can AR and Holographic Displays Be Used Together?
Yes.
The technologies are not mutually exclusive.
A brand could use a holographic display as the central visual attraction while using AR on visitors’ smartphones to provide additional information or interactive experiences.
For example:
A holographic display attracts attention.
Visitors scan a QR code.
The visitor opens an AR experience on their smartphone.
The AR experience provides additional product information.
The physical holographic display continues presenting the main visual story.
This creates a combination of shared physical experience and individual digital interaction.
What Technology Should You Choose?
Start with the experience rather than the technology.
Ask:
Do users need to interact individually with the content?
Does everyone need to see the same visual?
Will the experience take place in a physical venue?
Do users already have compatible devices?
Does the display need to attract attention from a distance?
Is the objective product visualisation, information, entertainment or advertising?
Does the installation need to operate continuously?
Will the content need to be updated remotely?
If the experience depends on a user’s personal view of the world, AR may be appropriate.
If the objective is to create a shared three-dimensional visual experience in a physical location, a dedicated holographic display may be more appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a hologram the same as augmented reality?
No. Augmented reality overlays digital information onto the user’s view of the physical world, normally through a smartphone, tablet, smart glasses or another compatible device. A commercial holographic display uses dedicated hardware to create a three-dimensional or hologram-like visual that can be viewed directly in physical space.
Do holograms require AR glasses?
Not necessarily. Many commercial holographic displays are designed for direct viewing without AR glasses or VR headsets.
Is HYPERVSN an augmented reality technology?
HYPERVSN is a holographic display technology rather than an AR headset or smartphone-based AR platform. Its display systems use rotating LED-based hardware to create 3D visuals that appear to float in mid-air.
What is the difference between a hologram and a 3D display?
The term “hologram” can have a specific technical meaning in optics, while “3D display” is a broader term describing systems that present three-dimensional visual information. Commercial products marketed as holographic displays can use different technologies to create a 3D or hologram-like visual effect.
Can a holographic display show 2D content?
Some commercial holographic display systems can display both 2D and 3D content. HYPERVSN SmartV, for example, supports both 2D and 3D content through its platform.
Can holographic displays be used in retail?
Yes. Applications include product presentations, digital humans, advertising, product launches, visual merchandising and interactive experiences.
Can AR and holographic displays work together?
Yes. A physical holographic display can provide a shared visual experience while AR can provide individual interactive content through visitors’ devices.
Key Takeaways
AR and holographic displays both connect digital content with the physical world, but they do it in different ways.
Augmented reality adds digital content to the user’s view of the real world.
Virtual reality replaces the user’s view with a digital environment.
Holographic displays use dedicated display technology to create 3D or hologram-like visuals in physical space.
AR is often device-based and individual.
Holographic displays can create a shared experience that multiple people see directly.
The best technology depends on the audience, environment, content and intended experience.
HYPERVSN uses rotating LED-based display technology to create 3D visuals that appear to float in mid-air.
Understanding these differences makes it easier for businesses to choose the right technology for retail, advertising, events, education, entertainment and other immersive applications.
