HTC's next VR head-set is less Meta Quest, and more Apple Vision Pro. Its bid to be everything device is a bit less ambitious than that of its predecessor.

HTC announced its new VR headset Vive Focus Vision. Instead of going directly after the Meta Quest crown (and price), it seems to have set itself up as a "everything" headset closer to what Apple did early this year... but good.

I was initially apprehensive about the price and the choice of a last-generation Snapdragon chip. However, when you consider what it's trying to achieve, it makes more sense. Although technically capable as an independent gaming headset, it seems to be more complementary, offering lossless graphics for your PC and productive functions for your downtime.

The Vive Focus Vision headset was announced today. It features a 5K resolution, automatic IPD adjustment and eye tracking, as well a hot-swappable batteries for longer sessions.

It will cost you $1,000, which is almost $400 more expensive than the Meta Quest 3's most expensive configuration, the best VR headset available right now. The Vive Pro 2 was launched in 2022, and while it offers the same FOV and resolution, the price is prohibitive. Vive Focus Vision, a cheaper headset that offers better functions, could offer something new to the market.

The headset comes with 4 GB more RAM than the Quest 3 but less storage. It also supports Micro SD which will allow it to run spatial videos and play games. It has the ability to swap batteries quickly, meaning it has an internal battery that keeps the headset on when you change batteries.

The HTC headset has a lower-quality chip than those found in the Meta Quest 3 or Pico 4 Ultra. This confused me, given the price. Why not choose the better chip when your competitors are using it? I asked a HTC representative about this, and they said:

"Vive Focus Vision is powered by the Qualcomm SnapdragonTM XR2 Gen 1 Processor. The XR2 platform provides a great balance between power and performance, allowing us to deliver stunning visuals while maintaining accurate tracking. Our implementation of the XR2 in the Vive Focus 3 was significantly more performant than other devices because we are good with device cooling, and were not experiencing thermal throttling."

The Focus Vision can be used for training in healthcare, defence, manufacturing and more. I was told that many PCVR gamers and enterprise organisations use PCVR to get the full 5K experience. This is not possible on a mobile platform.

Vive Focus Vision is a headset that can do PCVR gaming without loss of quality with DisplayPort support. It also has stereoscopic passthrough, which simulates depth in the headset, and eye tracking, to help you navigate the UI. It is a good option for anyone who wants to do productivity work.

This headset also shows how good a deal Meta is. Quest 3 is still a great headset, even though HTC's new headset is superior in certain areas. I'll be trying out the Vive focus vision in the future, but it will take a lot for it to find its niche on a market with so many great options.