HTC has finally revealed their latest headset
HTC has unveiled the Vive Focus Vision, a new standalone VR headset aimed at both gamers and professionals. Building on the design of the Vive Focus 3, the Focus Vision brings improved features such as eye-tracking, auto-IPD adjustment, and mixed reality functionality.
Priced at $999, it positions itself between other high-end headsets like Meta’s Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro. With a focus on user comfort and versatility, the Vive Focus Vision offers hot-swappable batteries and compatibility with HTC’s existing accessories, making it a practical option for a wide range of VR applications.
Here is everything we learned about the new headset.
Design & Build
The HTC Vive Focus Vision is constructed with an aluminum frame and a black plastic exterior. It includes a comfortable leather face gasket and headrest for long-term wear. A removable, counterbalanced battery on the back improves balance and comfort, while downward-firing speakers provide spatial audio without requiring headphones. The headset also features two color passthrough cameras for mixed reality experiences.
Display & Optics
Each eye has a 2.88-inch LCD screen, delivering a resolution of 2,448 x 2,448 pixels per eye. The headset comes with a 90Hz refresh rate, which can be upgraded to 120Hz through a software update. Auto-IPD (automatic interpupillary distance) adjustment ensures optimal lens alignment based on the user’s eye distance.
However, the Vive Focus Vision uses Fresnel lenses, a point of concern given its $999 price tag. Fresnel lenses are known for their concentric rings, which can cause glare and visual artifacts, and are typically found in older or more affordable headsets. At this price, many would expect HTC to opt for pancake lenses, which offer thinner profiles and improved clarity, as seen in other high-end models.
Performance & Internals
The Vive Focus Vision is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset, supported by 12GB of LPDDR5 memory and 128GB of internal storage. It includes Wi-Fi 6E support for fast and stable wireless connections and a built-in depth sensor to enhance tracking capabilities.
Battery & Usage
The headset offers 2 hours of battery life and features a hot-swappable battery system. An internal 20-minute battery allows users to swap the main battery without powering down the device, ensuring uninterrupted usage.
Compatibility & Tracking
The Vive Focus Vision is an all-in-one headset with inside-out tracking, eliminating the need for external sensors. It supports DisplayPort Mode for lossless PC VR streaming and is compatible with HTC Vive’s existing accessories and trackers.
Advanced Features
The headset includes eye-tracking technology, enabling more realistic avatars and future social VR applications. It also supports mixed reality through its front-facing cameras. The combination of Auto-IPD and eye-tracking simplifies use for multiple users, making it ideal for shared environments.
Price & Market Position
Priced at $999, the Vive Focus Vision sits between Meta’s Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro. It’s designed for both business and gaming use, offering a more accessible premium experience compared to other high-end VR headsets.
The HTC Vive Focus Vision is available for preorder from now until the 17th October on HTC’s website.
