Meet HTC's upcoming virtual reality headset, the Vive Focus Vision

It didn't take long for the successor to the virtual reality headset to arrive Vive XR Elite. HTC has just unveiled the Vive Focus Vision, its new flagship. According to Shen Ye, global product manager at HTC Vive, “This new model offers the best of both worlds with exceptional standalone capabilities and support for DisplayPort mode for particularly fluid PCVR experiences”.

For anyone unfamiliar with VR headsets, this means that it can be used completely autonomously. In this configuration, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR processor and 12 GB of LPDDR RAM suitable for mobile devices. Its storage capacity reaches 128 GB, but it can be expanded up to 2 TB thanks to a microSD card. Finally, the technical sheet promises a battery life of 2 hours, which seems quite short. Fortunately, you can change the energy source on the fly without having to leave your session thanks to its function hot swap — a built-in mini battery gives 20 min to replace.

But it is by connecting the Vive Focus Vision to a PC (or even directly to a graphics card thanks to the DisplayPort functionality) that its owner will be able to take full advantage of the graphics capabilities. Because if the combined 5K resolution (4896 x 2448 pixels) on both eyes and the 120° field of vision do not change, the refresh rate reaches 120 Hz instead of the 90 Hz of the nomadic mode. Be careful, the DisplayPort mode will not be available until the end of 2024. To be completely complete about the graphics performance of the Vive Focus Vision, let us specify that HTC has chosen Fresnel lenses instead of Pancake models.

Virtual reality enthusiasts know that a good experience is not limited to the transmission of images. The positioning in the user's space is at least as important. And to make it as precise as possible, the HTC Vive Focus Vision benefits from four cameras trackinga gyroscope, as well as proximity and depth sensors.

In the helmet, a system ofeye tracking still needs to improve the user experience. To render the latter's movements in space, the headset's cameras will of course film his hands in order to transcribe the different actions on the screen. Controllers have nevertheless been planned to simulate tools, accessories and many other things for both recreational and serious uses. However, these controllers do not seem to have evolved much since the Vive XR Elite.

As for the “little extras” that can make a difference, the manufacturer has also provided the function pass-through which allows the user to see what is happening in the room simply by pressing a button without removing the headset. Above all, the HTC Vive Focus Vision benefits from a fully automated interpupillary distance adjustment system thanks to eye tracking (auto-IPD technology).

Pre-orders for the Vive Focus Vision start today, and you'll have to shell out €1,199 to get in on the action. It's worth noting that the early adopters will receive in addition to their headset a Vive wired streaming kit for DisplayPort mode, worth €149, while all buyers will be offered one of three game packs.