Years after unofficially exiting the buyer VR area in favor of enterprise merchandise, HTC has returned with its first standalone headset for customers. The Vive XR Elite is a $1,100 flagship for VR and passthrough blended actuality (MR). Although that pushes it far previous the worth vary of the $400 Meta Quest 2, HTC’s product compares extra favorably on paper with the dear Meta Quest Pro.

The Vive XR Elite has a 4K show with a 90Hz refresh charge and a 110-degree subject of view (FOV). It consists of 4 wide-FOV cameras, enabling inside-out spatial monitoring with out exterior sensors. The product ships with two wi-fi controllers and helps hand monitoring. Additionally, a full-color RGB digicam permits passthrough MR that allows you to mix digital experiences together with your real-world environment.

The headset weighs 625g (about 13 p.c lighter than the Quest Pro), together with its hot-swappable battery on the again. HTC says this placement helps steadiness the headset’s weight. The battery supplies an estimated two hours of use and helps 30-watt quick charging through USB-C. Additionally, the headset has a built-in retractable charging cable on its proper facet, making it simple to plug into an influence financial institution or airline seat (if you wish to be the VR weirdo in your subsequent flight).

HTC says the XR Elite has giant audio system supporting directional audio. In addition, the headset’s lenses have a dial that adjusts for prescription, permitting visually challenged of us to take off their glasses earlier than enjoying. Strangely, HTC says you possibly can take away the battery, match the headset with temple pads and put on it as common glasses. (That feels like an odd style selection.) The firm additionally says an add-on Face and Eye Tracker accent will arrive later this yr.

Although HTC has a stable monitor report with VR {hardware}, content material and advertising are its largest challenges. In the 9 years since Meta (Facebook on the time) purchased Oculus, it has purchased VR studios, made unique offers with others and sunk numerous promoting {dollars} into its model. Although there’s lots to criticize about Meta’s enterprise practices, the corporate has stockpiled an unmatched library of digital video games and experiences. HTC has tried to compete with its Viveport subscription service, however its headset nonetheless launches at a big content material drawback.

Some of these content material gaps could be full of PC help. The XR Elite connects wirelessly or with a USB-C cable to play PCVR video games from Steam and Viveport. You may also stream content material from a suitable Android cellphone to the headset to observe movies on a digital huge display screen. (Here’s the whole listing of supported phones.) The firm says you may as well join a Bluetooth controller to play gamepad-friendly smartphone video games.

HTC says 100 video games and experiences will arrive inside the headset’s launch window. Listed launch titles embrace Demeo, Hubris, Yuki, Maestro, Les Mills Body Combat, FigminXR, Unplugged and Finger Gun. The firm provides that Everslaught: Invasion and the total MR sport Eggscape will arrive later within the yr.

Engadget’s Sam Rutherford is making an attempt the headset later right this moment and can share his impressions quickly. Meanwhile, you possibly can pre-order the Vive XR Elite from the company website beginning right this moment. HTC estimates that early purchases will start transport in late February.