Vive unveils the Focus Vision mixed reality headset, with eye tracking and priced at 1,200 euros

After a very brief preview that didn’t give a clear idea of ​​what it was up to, HTC has today announced its new mixed reality headset Vive Focus Vision. This is a device that would be positioned in the high-end range, but much closer to the domestic consumer than the Vive XR Elite, which is markedly professional in nature.

A direct competitor to other high-end models like the Apple Vision Pro, the new Vive Focus Vision combines the Fresnel optics and controls of the Vive Focus 3 (it’s practically a refresh, in fact) with some differentiating elements, among which the passthrough for mixed reality experiences.

Thanks to two color cameras, a front-facing depth sensor, and two 2448 x 2448 pixel LCD displays at 90Hz (4896 x 2448 total), the Vive Focus Vision should be able to blend synthetically generated objects with real-world environments more refinedly than even the Vive XR Elite, which uses a single 16-megapixel RGB camera.

Other interesting details include the use of four external cameras to track hand gestures (although technically the headset is accompanied by the Vive Focus 3 controllers) and several internal sensors to perform eye and lip tracking functions.

In charge of the entire system we find a chipset Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), powered by a large battery located in the headset itself to eliminate all cables, although it is technically compatible with DisplayPort. Excess heat is evacuated to the outside using fans that apparently admit 30% more air than those mounted on the Vive Focus 3.

Available for pre-order now, the Vive Focus Vision with two controllers is priced at €1,209. That’s a hefty price tag, but people who order it will also receive a Vive Wired Streaming Kit with a 5-metre cable for use with their PC (it’s fully compatible with Steam and Viveport), with the option to add seven games if they opt for the €1,229 offer.