HTC has released a YouTube video teasing the imminent launch of its “game-changing” Vive headset.
Taiwanese electronics manufacturer HTC posted a video on its YouTube channel titled “HTC VIVE: A Vision for You,” at the end of which appears to be the silhouette of a new headset.
The headset will support virtual reality experiences and is likely to be powered by the latest Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset.
The company captioned the video: “Committed people have always found ways to break down barriers and redefine the human experience.
“Through augmented reality, we are trying to do the same thing. But everything you see is just the beginning of something bigger.
“Keep your eyes peeled. What happens next will change the game forever.”
What can you expect?
Earlier this year, US wireless technology provider Qualcomm announced that it would supply its new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset to five companies, including HTC.
It will also reportedly be integrated into Samsung and Sony headsets, Play for Dream MR, and Immersed’s Visor.
The XR2+ Gen 2 is an improved version of the XR2 Gen 2 that was used in Meta Quest 3.
To date, HTC has introduced a number of VR headsets, starting with the first HTC Vive headset in 2016, which featured room-scale positional tracking and tracked controllers.
Following the success of this headset, which accounted for roughly two-thirds of SteamVR users, HTC released higher-end VR headsets, the Vive Pro and Vive Cosmos, but these were never as popular as the original headset, and even today, HTC’s headsets account for less than 7% of SteamVR headsets.
HTC launched the Vive Focus 3 in 2021, which has better resolution quality than the Quest 3 despite using the older XR2 chipset.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last January, HTV VIVE unveiled the XR Elite, a lightweight reality (MR) headset designed to rival the Meta Quest.
The device is directly compared to the popular mobility characteristics of the Meta Quest Pro and enhances the same MR pass-through capabilities that Meta touted when it unveiled the Quest Pro at Connect 2022 .
Looking back, this mystery headset could be either a continuation of the Vive Focus 4, a Vive XR Elite 2, or an entirely new product line.
In the video, HTC says little about the features and capabilities of its upcoming Vive headset, focusing mainly on its recent successes in the world of VR: “Innovation drives us forward. Innovation uncovers the many wonders of the universe and helps protect our connections, our environment and our culture.”
“That’s why the HTC 5 moves forward to create new possibilities – empowering astronauts to overcome challenges in space, helping scientists find solutions to spot and control diseases, giving artists the tools to realize their vision, connecting organizations with AI in immersive ways, and helping students deepen their understanding of the world.”
“Soon, our innovations will give you new power. Get ready to carve out your next reality.”
For more details on what HTC’s new headset will look like, check out this page.
This month there were also reports that the Meta Quest 4 headset could launch in 2026, as well as reports that Vision Pro’s Meta competitor will be released in 2027.
