HTC has developed an enhanced Vive Focus standalone
VR headset, the Vive Focus Plus. The key change is the addition of a second
motion controller thanks to improvements in the ultrasonic 6DoF tracking
system.
Having a controller for both hands will make porting
PC games easier as their gameplay relies on having two controllers. Most
standalone VR headsets use only one controller (e.g. Oculus Go, Gear VR), but
there are exceptions like the Oculus Quest.
The Vive Focus Plus is still powered by the same
Snapdragon 835 chipset as the non-Plus model and it features a “3K AMOLED
display”, most likely the same 2,880 x 1,600px panel. That’s a very high
resolution, it matches the $800 Vive Pro VR.
Speaking of prices, HTC did not unveil the cost of
the Focus Plus, but it did say the headset will be available in Q2 this year.
The original Focus launched at US$ 600 and we don’t think there’s much room for a
price hike – while you don’t need a PC or a smartphone (which would drive up
the total cost), the S835 isn’t exactly fast by 2019 standards.
HTC will attend the MWC to show off the new Vive
Focus Plus as well as the premium Vive Pro Eye (with eye tracking).
