The HTC Vive Pro is one of the most powerful immersive headsets on the market, with content available from SteamVR base stations and a stunning set of AMOLED screens. The Pro also includes features such as spatial audio and optimized ergonomics to make life in virtual reality more comfortable over time. Although the HTC VIVE Pro is slightly more expensive than the Oculus Quest 2, it provides a much higher resolution and thus superior performance. You also get a longer battery life, though this does not guarantee a better experience for every user.

Comfortable to wear

The Vive Pro uses padded, form-fitting plastic instead, with a dial at the back to tighten it. The new headset is also more comfortable to wear, and the front goggles aren’t quite as heavy. It has been ergonomically designed from top to bottom. The weight of the headset is evenly distributed to achieve a balanced center of gravity. It also fits a variety of head shapes and sizes and can be adjusted for different pupillary distances. VIVE Pro is ideal for long VR sessions.

Very High PC requirements

It’s possible that you’ll need to upgrade your PC (or video card) to use the Vive Pro. The original Vive uses HDMI to connect to your computer. However, for the Vive Pro, HTC opted for DisplayPort. If your PC only has HDMI, you may be able to use an adapter cable. While HTC hasn’t changed the minimum PC requirements from the original, if your current system is already struggling with frame rates, adding 78% more pixels to the mix will strain it even more.

Two cameras instead of one

In comparison to the HTC Vive, which has a single front-facing camera, the Vive Pro has two cameras with upgraded capabilities, such as high resolution AMOLED screens with super-rich colors and contrast that allow you to see every detail. They can be used for motion tracking or to scan the environment in which you are standing in order to integrate it into the virtual world.

3D spatial audio

The Hi-Res certified headset and headphones now include 3D spatial sound for true-to-life immersive audio. The powerful amplifier can power high-impedance headphones. The dual microphones enable active noise cancellation as well as Alert Mode and Conversation Mode, allowing you to hear your surroundings while immersed in any reality without having to remove the headset.

Improved cable management

HTC put a lot of effort into cable management, which is why the new headset is more comfortable and balanced. The large bundle of cables that previously ran from the top of the wearer’s head to the middle top of the goggles has been replaced in the Vive Pro by a slim cable neatly routed around the left side of the headset before connecting to the left side of the goggles.

Increased virtual reality coverage area

The Vive Pro is compatible with the most recent Steam Base Station 2.0 tracking stations. This enables it to use up to four base stations instead of the original VIVE’s two. This doubles the maximum virtual reality coverage to 10m x 10m, with improved multi-player support.