We played with the Vive XR Elite, HTC’s $1,400 mixed reality headset

The HTC teams were in Paris with a few near-final copies of their Vive XR Elite, a high-end virtual and augmented reality headset ready to do battle with the Meta Quest Pro. The opportunity for us to try the headset through a multitude of experiences, in classic virtual reality, but also in passthrough, this mixed reality halfway between virtual and real world. And the least we can say is that this mixture works very well, allowing virtual experiences to anchor themselves in a less intimidating environment, where we feel less locked up and cut off from what surrounds us.

A helmet that is (almost) forgotten

In both usage scenarios (there is even a third, the headset can be used without a battery as a pair of glasses to watch movies and series), the Vive XR Elite was able to prove to us during this first approach that it responded well to the adjectives used by its manufacturer to describe it: it is truly compact, light and versatile. No doubt about it.

Its inter-pupillary adjustment and its correction via the use of diopters allow spectacle wearers to use it without wearing them, which is an undeniable plus in terms of comfort. Everyone will also benefit from its lightness (625 g) and its excellent support despite the absence of a headstrap. Thanks to its minimalist design and its good balance, we were able to wear it for an hour without feeling the slightest fatigue. The face is well married by the mask and the tightening ring at the back ensures that the helmet is held in place without having to apply too much pressure.

The passthrough is great, but still perfectible

On the visual side, the 90 Hz screens of 1920 x 1920 pixels per eye offer a qualitative experience, with an inconspicuous pixel frame and a field of vision of up to 110°. Admittedly, the video rendering of its direct environment captured by a 16-megapixel RGB camera does not yet allow for a perfect illusion, but it seems to us sufficient to penetrate convincingly into the mixed reality experiences on offer, despite visible grain and a slight blurry impression, in addition to duller colors than in real life. HTC indicates that it is even possible to read the screen of its mobile phone in this way. This is true, provided that the screen of the camera is very close to the helmet. On the other hand, it makes interactions much more practical with the people around, and in the context of a guided test of the headset, it is undeniable that it is very pleasant to be able to observe your interlocutor.

During our test, the depth sensor was not yet activated, and it is therefore to be expected that the capture will be even better with the commercial version of the helmet. But already as it is, the four tracking cameras positioned on the front of the helmet correctly fulfill their role, managing to convincingly track head movements, controllers, but also hands and fingers. The precision is in any case sufficient to “pinch” small objects around us without struggling, but also shoot aliens who invaded the room, lead a symphony orchestra with a baton, swim in the open sea or test our reflexes and our agility.

The depth sensor will also allow a faster and more precise meshing of the room in which we are located and of the objects which are there. If the minimum recommended play area is 1.5 m², it can go up to 10 m². Obviously, even if the applications tested were all of the “motion gaming” type, it is perfectly possible to use the Vive XR Elite seated.

Versatile, but expensive

The strength of high-end mixed reality headsets is to be able to meet a maximum of uses. This is the case here, with the possibility of using the Vive XR Elite in standalone mode (it is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 SoC, 12 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage), but also by connecting it to a computer. USB-C connectors are used for data transmission and charging (approximately 2 hours of battery life), while there are also Bluetooth 5.2, wifi 6 and wifi 6E wireless modules. Each branch incorporates small speakers that allow you to enjoy sound feedback without weighing down the ergonomics, but with rendering – you can imagine – perfectible and much worse than with a dedicated headset.

At the end of this relatively complete handling, we are rather reassured about the work done by the HTC teams on this Vive XR Elite, which is well thought out and well designed as a whole. On the other hand, we cannot help but wince over the price of the headset, which although more accessible than the Meta Quest Pro, will still be sold for €1,400 (with five games). A dissuasive price which, despite all the intrinsic qualities of this helmet, contributes to making virtual reality and its evolution towards passthrough areas reserved for wealthy technophiles. Especially when you know the quality of the VR experience already offered by a headset like the Meta Quest 2, sold from €450. A product which, for once, has really been able to bet on the democratization of virtual reality.