HTC announced the HTC VIVE Focus Vision, a stand alone and PC connected VR HMD

HTC, one of the original PC VR innovators, have just announced a new VR headset that's going to be both stand-alone and PC connected. The HTC VIVE Focus Vision looks to take on the likes of Meta Quest 3 and Pico, but also looks like it's going to be useful for those that want full resolution PC VR via connection with a DisplayPort as well.

Spec wise, there's some things that look really good. The screens are 2448x2448 per eye, which is better than the Quest 3, but shy of the resolution on something like the Pimax Crystal Light. It will initially only support a 90Hz refresh rate, but plans are to enable 120Hz in the near future.

Internally, there's a Snapdragon XR2 SOC, which is the same that's in the Meta Quest 2.  There will be 12GB of LPDDR5 memory and have an onboard storage capability of 128GB with an expandable microSD slot for up to 2TB cards.

What's interesting about the VIVE Focus Vision is the inclusion of four eye tracking cameras. That's something that many people have been clamoring for in more VR headsets and the VIVE Focus Vision will have that onboard like the old HTC VIVE Pro and the Meta Quest Pro.

Another thing I'm not that excited about though is that it looks like it uses Fresnel lenses. That's the old style lenses seen in many older HMDs like the Valve Index and HTC VIVE Cosmos for example. Nowadays, I've been spoiled with the clarity and large sweet spot of pancake lenses and even aspheric lenses. so seeing what looks like Fresnel lenses is a tad disappointing. But, the Fresnel lenses can offer a higher FOV, which is sorely needed in the industry and here HTC says it's up to 120 degrees. That would put it up there at one of the highest available for the consumer market. It's a trade off it seems, but we'll see how it goes.

Like the Quest 3, there's a depth sensor on the front so it can be used for such things as mapping out a room easily. Two 16MP full color cameras are also on the front for pass through. That should be better than what the Quest 3 has, but again, something we'll have to experience first hand before we know for sure.

Controls for the VIVE Focus Vision look to be the standard ring type controllers seen in many VR headsets. I would've liked to have seen a ring-less design like the Quest 3, but I don't think it'll be that big of a deal.

There's a hot swap-able battery on the battery on the back of the headset and HTC says you should expect about two hours of usage before you need to change it out. I do like that the battery is placed in the back of the headset to help balance it out and the hot swap option is great as well.

Price wise, it's $1000, which puts it much higher than a Quest 3 and on the higher end of a consumer VR cost. You can pre-order right now if you would like and it'll include some goodies if you do. You'll get the Wired Streaming Kit, which is something us PC VR users would take advantage of, and a set of games.

This is an intriguing VR headset and I'm excited to show well this one compares to the few I've been reviewing lately. More options is always good and hopefully, HTC can come back strong in the VR scene with this one.