Huawei VR Glass
The Huawei VR Glass is an ultra-thin tethered virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Huawei, announced in September 2019 and released in December 2019 at ¥2,999 (approximately $424). Huawei's flagship VR headset stands out for its remarkably slim form factor—just 26.6mm thick—and lightweight design at only 166 grams, achieved through innovative optical engineering and a tethered architecture that offloads processing to a compatible Huawei/Honor smartphone or PC. The headset features dual 2.1-inch Fast LCD displays with 3200 × 1600 resolution (3K, 1058 PPI), a 90° field of view, and variable refresh rates of 70Hz (smartphone) or 90Hz (PC connection). The IMAX-certified headset includes built-in diopter adjustment from 0-700 degrees myopia (eliminating glasses for many nearsighted users), 55-71mm IPD adjustment, integrated 3D spatial audio, and a foldable design with travel case. In October 2020, Huawei expanded the platform with the VR Glass 6DoF Game Set, adding inside-out positional tracking and 360-degree joystick controllers for room-scale VR gaming.
| Huawei VR Glass | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Mobile VR, Tethered VR |
| Platform | Huawei HiVR, EMUI 10.0+ |
| Creator | Huawei |
| Developer | Huawei Technologies |
| Manufacturer | Huawei |
| Announcement Date | September 2019 |
| Release Date | December 2019 / 2020 |
| Price | ¥2,999 (~$424) |
| Website | https://consumer.huawei.com/ |
| Versions | Huawei VR Glass, VR Glass 6DoF Game Set |
| Requires | Compatible Huawei/Honor smartphone or PC |
| Predecessor | Huawei VR2 |
| Successor | Huawei Vision Glass |
| System | |
| Operating System | Huawei HiVR / EMUI 10.0+ / Magic UI 3.0+ |
| Chipset | Phone/PC dependent |
| CPU | Phone/PC dependent |
| GPU | Phone/PC dependent |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Phone/PC dependent |
| Memory | Phone/PC dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual 2.1-inch Fast LCD |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 3200 × 1600 (1600 × 1600 per eye) |
| Pixel Density | 1058 PPI |
| Refresh Rate | 70Hz (phone), 90Hz (PC) |
| Persistence | Low persistence (fast LCD) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 90° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~90° |
| Vertical FoV | ~90° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~18 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~18 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Custom ultra-thin lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 55-71mm (adjustable) |
| Adjustable Diopter | Yes (0-700 degrees myopia) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (headset), 3DoF/6DoF (controllers) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | Optional (6DoF Game Set) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Optional (6DoF Game Set) |
| Update Rate | 70-90Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale (with 6DoF kit) |
| Play Space | Seated/Standing/Roomscale |
| Latency | Low latency (fast LCD) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated speakers + 3.5mm jack |
| Microphone | Yes (built-in) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB-C (to phone/PC) |
| Ports | USB-C |
| Wired Video | Yes (USB-C) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | Phone dependent |
| Bluetooth | Phone dependent |
| Power | Phone/PC powered via USB-C |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (tethered) |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 26.6mm thickness (ultra-thin) |
| Weight | 166g |
| Material | High-end nano texture coating, foldable design |
| Headstrap | Elastic support structure |
| Haptics | Controller haptics |
| Color | Black (cyberpunk aesthetic) |
| Sensors | IMU (3DoF), proximity sensor |
| Input | 3DoF controller, optional 6DoF controllers |
| Compliance | CCC, CE |
History and Development
Huawei VR Journey
Evolution:
- Huawei VR (original)
- Huawei VR2 (predecessor)
- Huawei VR Glass (2019)
- Vision Glass (successor)
September 2019 Announcement
Mate 30 event:
- Ultra-thin design revealed
- 166g lightweight
- IMAX certification
- Premium positioning
December 2019 Release
China launch:
- ¥2,999 pricing
- Smartphone tethering
- PC compatibility
- Huawei ecosystem
6DoF Game Set
October 2020 expansion:
- Room-scale upgrade
- 360° joystick controllers
- Inside-out tracking
- Full gaming capability
Design Philosophy
Ultra-Thin Design
Form factor priority:
- 26.6mm thickness
- Glasses-like profile
- Cyberpunk aesthetic
- Fashion-forward
Extreme Lightweight
Wearability focus:
- Only 166 grams
- Extended comfort
- Minimal fatigue
- All-day capable
Smartphone Integration
Huawei ecosystem:
- Phone-powered
- USB-C connection
- EMUI integration
- Seamless experience
Foldable Portability
Travel design:
- Foldable construction
- Travel case included
- Portable VR
- Easy storage
Display Technology
Fast LCD Panels
Visual specifications:
- Resolution: 3200 × 1600 combined
- Per Eye: 1600 × 1600
- Panel Size: 2.1 inches each
- PPI: 1058 pixels per inch
Variable Refresh Rate
Performance modes:
- Phone: 70Hz
- PC: 90Hz
- Fast LCD technology
- Low latency
Field of View
Immersion:
- FOV: 90°
- Standard VR coverage
- Immersive experience
- Entertainment suitable
IMAX Certification
Cinema quality:
- IMAX certified experience
- Giant screen simulation
- Cinema-like viewing
- Premium content
Optical Design
Ultra-Thin Optics
Slim profile achievement:
- Custom lens design
- 26.6mm total thickness
- Compact optical path
- Innovation required
Diopter Adjustment
Vision correction:
- Range: 0-700 degrees myopia
- No glasses needed (many users)
- Built-in adjustment
- Personal calibration
IPD Adjustment
Eye alignment:
- Range: 55-71mm
- Mechanical adjustment
- Wide compatibility
- Optimal clarity
Physical Design
Weight
Lightweight achievement:
- Weight: 166 grams
- Among lightest VR headsets
- Extended sessions
- Minimal neck strain
Thickness
Slim profile:
- Thickness: 26.6mm
- Glasses-like proportion
- Fashion-conscious
- Unique form factor
Materials
Build quality:
- Nano texture coating
- Premium finish
- Cyberpunk aesthetic
- High-end materials
Foldable Design
Portability:
- Foldable temples
- Compact storage
- Travel case included
- Mobile VR
Headstrap
Fit system:
- Elastic support structure
- Multiple face types
- Adjustable fit
- Comfortable wear
Tracking
Base 3DoF
Standard tracking:
- Rotation tracking only
- IMU-based
- Seated/standing use
- Standard VR Glass
6DoF Game Set
Upgraded tracking:
- Inside-out positional
- Room-scale capable
- Full motion tracking
- Gaming enhanced
Controllers
Input options:
- 3DoF controller (standard)
- 6DoF controllers (Game Set)
- 360° joystick
- Full gaming input
Audio
Integrated Speakers
Built-in audio:
- Spatial 3D sound
- IMAX audio experience
- No headphones needed
- Immersive audio
Audio Options
Alternative:
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- External audio option
- Private listening
- User preference
Microphone
Voice input:
- Built-in microphone
- Voice commands
- Communication
- Phone calls in VR
Connectivity
USB-C Tethering
Connection method:
- Single USB-C cable
- Power + video + data
- Clean connection
- Universal USB-C
Phone Compatibility
Supported devices:
- Huawei Mate 30 series
- Huawei P30 series
- Huawei Mate 20 series
- Mate 20 X 5G
- Honor V20 series
OS Requirements
Software requirements:
- EMUI 10.0 or later
- Magic UI 3.0.0 or later
- Huawei VR app
- System integration
PC Compatibility
Desktop use:
- PC VR support
- 90Hz (PC mode)
- SteamVR games
- Full VR gaming
Content Platform
Huawei HiVR
VR ecosystem:
- VR content platform
- IMAX VR content
- Games and experiences
- Video content
IMAX Content
Premium viewing:
- IMAX VR experiences
- Giant screen movies
- Immersive content
- Certified quality
6DoF Game Set
Room-Scale Upgrade
Gaming expansion:
- Inside-out tracking
- Position tracking added
- Full room-scale VR
- Complete gaming
360° Controllers
Enhanced input:
- 360-degree joystick
- 6DoF tracking
- Full game support
- Premium controllers
Comparison with Contemporary Headsets
| Feature | Huawei VR Glass | Samsung Gear VR | Oculus Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$424 | $129 | $199 |
| Resolution | 3200×1600 | Phone dependent | 2560×1440 |
| PPI | 1058 | Phone dependent | N/A |
| Weight | 166g | 345g | 467g |
| Thickness | 26.6mm | ~90mm | ~110mm |
| Tethering | USB-C phone/PC | Gear VR phones | Standalone |
| Diopter | 0-700° | No | No |
| 6DoF Option | Yes (Game Set) | No | No |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Ultra-lightweight at 166 grams
- Ultra-thin at 26.6mm
- 3K resolution (3200×1600)
- Built-in 0-700° diopter adjustment
- IMAX certification
- Foldable with travel case
- 6DoF upgrade available
- 90Hz PC mode
Limitations
- Requires compatible Huawei/Honor phone
- Limited to Huawei ecosystem
- 3DoF standard (6DoF optional)
- Tethered (not standalone)
- China-focused availability
- 70Hz phone mode (vs 90Hz standard)
- Limited global distribution
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual 2.1" Fast LCD |
| Resolution | 3200 × 1600 (3K) |
| PPI | 1058 pixels per inch |
| Refresh Rate | 70Hz (phone) / 90Hz (PC) |
| FOV | 90° |
| Diopter | 0-700° adjustment |
| IPD | 55-71mm |
| Thickness | 26.6mm |
| Weight | 166g |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Price | ¥2,999 (~$424) |