Arguably the distinction you're pointing at is macroinvention (the transistor) vs microinvention (a better VR headset): one is a refinement of something that exists, another is transformative opening up whole new worlds of possibility. https://www.antonhowes.com/blog/macroinvention-vs-microinven...

In my opinion the difference is rather invention versus innovation. A better VR headset is innovation, transistors are an invention.

Eh, the very first transistor they invented was pretty crappy and not all that useful.

Every improvement after that would count as micro-invention in your dichotomy.