Vive Pro 2: HTC announces 5K, 120Hz headset

HTC is to release the Vive Pro 2, a follow up to its bestselling Vive Pro virtual reality headset, boasting a 5K resolution split across two eyes.

Announced at HTC’s yearly ViveCon conference alongside a separate headset for the enterprise market, the Vive Pro 2 has a 120Hz refresh rate and a new “dual stacked-lens design” that allows for an increased, 120-degree field of view.

“These advances mean minimal motion blur and the ‘screen door effect’ is virtually eliminated, giving people a more natural and immersive experience,” said HTC.

The company says it has worked with Nvidia and AMD to optimise the headset’s Display Stream Compression, which should help with the visual quality of images being streamed. The Vive Pro 2 will also be backwards-compatible with DisplayPort 1.2, and all pre-existing Vive SteamVR accessories will work with the updated headset – good news if you’ve already forked out for Vive trackers.

The headset-only version of the Vive Pro 2 is available for pre-order from 6pm BST on 11 May, with a special discount during the pre-order period that brings the price to £659. Beyond this, the full-kit Vive Pro 2, which comes with Base Station 2.0 and Vive controllers, will be available from 4 June, costing £1,299.

HTC’s enterprise line has also had an update in the shape of the Vive Focus 3. Much like the Pro 2, this headset will have 5K resolution split across two 2.5K eye displays, as well as a 120-degree field of view, although the refresh rate is lower at 90Hz.

Powered by a custom Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform and angled towards the workplace, the Vive Focus 3 looks to have a more adaptable and lightweight design than the Pro 2. It has a swappable battery pack, a magnesium alloy frame and removable magnetic front and rear face gaskets, for switching out and wiping down parts if the headset is being passed around by multiple users. It will go on sale from 24 June for £1,060.