Vive XR Elite: This is HTC’s new mixed reality headset - MIXED Reality News

Image: HTC

HTC erstwhile again wants to entreaty to consumers with the Vive XR Elite. With a terms that could beryllium off-putting close away.

HTC calls its latest instrumentality a “new all-in-one flagship”. HTC’s past 2 standalone headsets were HTC Vive Focus 3 (review) and HTC Vive Flow and launched successful 2021.

The Vive XR Elite combines the strengths of these devices and expands their method capabilities successful the absorption of Mixed Reality with RGB passthrough, i.e. video playback successful color, and a extent sensor.

Like the HTC Vive Focus 3, the caller headset comes with afloat VR controllers and works arsenic a standalone device. HTC does not uncover which SoC is installed. According to VR leaker Bradley Lynch, a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 is used, which is the aforesaid spot that is besides featured successful Meta Quest 2 and Pico 4.

The instrumentality borrows the pancake lenses and the compact plan arsenic good arsenic the diopter accommodation from the HTC Vive Flow, which should marque corrective glasses oregon interaction lenses superfluous. For maximum viewing comfort, the region betwixt the lenses tin beryllium fine-tuned with an IPD slider.

HTC follows the mixed world trend

HTC does not uncover the nonstop show resolution. According to Brad Lynch, it is 1,920 by 1,920 pixels per eye. HTC specifies a tract of presumption of 110 degrees, and the refresh complaint is expected to beryllium 90 hertz.

The video passthrough is expected to scope a caller prime level, showing the carnal situation successful colour for the archetypal time, dissimilar HTC Vive Focus 3 and HTC Vive Flow. Together with the extent sensor, Vive XR Elite is well-equipped for mixed world applications.

Some examples of specified XR applications, according to HTC, see moving crippled characters crossed surviving country furniture, real-time overlays connected philharmonic instruments similar a soft for immersive learning, and overlaying virtual screens to widen the workspace.

Four cameras way the headset and controllers spatially. Two are installed connected the beforehand and 2 connected the sides. Hand tracking is besides supported.

Modular plan with removable artillery pack

A special diagnostic of the Vive XR Elite is its modular design. The artillery connected the backmost tin beryllium removed, turning the headset into a lightweight headset reminiscent of the HTC Vive Flow and allowing for relaxed lying. Special temple attachments are expected to supply the indispensable ergonomics.

On the close broadside of the instrumentality is simply a USB-C larboard cablegram that tin beryllium connected to a powerfulness source: a powerbank, a PC oregon an airplane seat.

The headset weighs 625 grams with the artillery connected the back, which lasts for 2 hours. HTC does not specify however dense it is without the battery. Convenient: The artillery tin beryllium replaced during usage and has a quick-charge function.

The backmost of the headset has a removable cloth padding that is connected to magnets truthful that it tin beryllium easy cleaned oregon replaced with a caller one. Speakers integrated into the temples marque outer headphones obsolete.

Viveport opens up to mobile VR gaming

Those who privation to bask PC VR contented tin connect the Vive XR Elite to a PC via the USB-C cablegram oregon simply watercourse their contented wirelessly. The headset supports Wi-Fi 6E.

Users tin besides wirelessly watercourse contented from compatible Android smartphones to a virtual screen, akin to HTC Vive Flow. This includes services similar Netflix and Disney+ oregon games similar Fortnite.

Speaking of content: The Vive XR Elite ships with a fig of native VR games already acquainted from Meta Quest 2 and, much recently, Pico 4. These include:

• Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
• Demeo
• Gadgeteer
• Figmin XR
• Les Mills Body Combat
• Mare
• Pokerstars VR
• Puzzling Places
• Squingle
• Unplugged
• Virtual Desktop
• Yuki

The bundle lineup inactive has country to turn with circa 100 VR apps, and hopefully much titles volition find their mode onto HTC’s mobile VR level implicit time. The large and unsocial crippled subscription Viveport Infinity seems to beryllium constricted to PC VR titles.

A precocious terms for the targeted audience

Vive XR Elite is present disposable for pre-order worldwide via the official website and authorized retailers. The price is $1400 / 1,399 euros. Pre-orders are expected to commencement shipping astatine the extremity of February 2023.

Despite the precocious price: the caller headset is explicitly marketed by HTC to consumers. A business mentation of the device for firm customers volition beryllium presented astatine a aboriginal date.

The instrumentality is compatible with the Vive Wrist Tracker for amended manus tracking. Modules for regard and look tracking volition deed the marketplace aboriginal this year.

HTC mightiness alternatively presumption the headset arsenic a rival to the Meta Quest Pro because at this price, the Vive XR Elite is absorbing for enthusiasts, developers, and companies. Consumers volition astir apt inactive thin towards the overmuch cheaper Meta Quest 2 and Pico 4.

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