HTC Vive Focus

HTC Vive Focus
Basic Info
VR/AR	Virtual Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	Standalone VR
Platform	Vive Wave
Creator	HTC
Developer	HTC
Manufacturer	HTC
Announcement Date	November 2017
Release Date	January 2018 (China), 2019 (Global)
Price	$599
Website	https://www.vive.com/
Versions	HTC Vive Focus
Requires	None (standalone)
Predecessor	None
Successor	HTC Vive Focus Plus
System
Operating System	Android-based (Vive Wave)
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (octa-core)
GPU	Adreno 540
Storage
Storage	32GB
Memory	4GB RAM
SD Card Slot	Yes (microSD up to 2TB)
Display
Display	AMOLED
Subpixel Layout	PenTile (Diamond)
Peak Brightness	Not specified
Resolution	1440 × 1600 per eye (2880 × 1600 combined)
Pixel Density	~13 PPD
Refresh Rate	75Hz
Persistence	Low persistence
Image
Field of View	110°
Horizontal FoV	~110°
Vertical FoV	~110°
Average Pixel Density	~13 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	~13 PPD
Foveated Rendering	No
Optics
Optics	Fresnel lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	Adjustable
Adjustable Diopter	No (glasses compatible)
Passthrough	No
Tracking
Tracking	6DoF inside-out (headset), 3DoF (controller)
Tracking Frequency	N/A
Base Stations	None required
Eye Tracking	No
Face Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	No
Body Tracking	No
Rotational Tracking	Yes
Positional Tracking	Yes
Update Rate	75Hz
Tracking Volume	Room-scale
Play Space	Roomscale
Latency	<20ms motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio	Integrated speakers
Microphone	Yes (dual)
3.5mm Audio Jack	Yes
Camera	Tracking cameras (world-facing)
Connectivity
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2
Ports	USB-C, microSD, 3.5mm audio
Wired Video	No
Wireless Video	No
WiFi	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2
Power	Internal battery
Battery Capacity	~3700mAh
Battery Life	2-3 hours
Charge Time	~2.5 hours
Device
Dimensions	Not specified
Weight	~695g
Material	Plastic
Headstrap	Adjustable headstrap
Haptics	Controller haptics
Color	Blue/Black, Electric Blue
Sensors	IMU, proximity sensor, tracking cameras
Input	3DoF controller (1 included)
Compliance	FCC, CE

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The HTC Vive Focus is a standalone virtual reality head-mounted display developed by HTC, announced in November 2017 and released in January 2018 in China with global availability in 2019 at a price of $599. As HTC's first standalone VR headset, the Vive Focus pioneered 6DoF inside-out tracking in an all-in-one form factor, eliminating the need for external sensors or a tethered PC while delivering VR experiences comparable to mobile VR headsets of the era. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB RAM, featuring dual 1440 × 1600 AMOLED displays with 110° field of view and 75Hz refresh rate, the Vive Focus targeted enterprise applications and location-based entertainment where cable-free operation was essential. Running on HTC's Vive Wave platform (an open Android-based ecosystem), the Focus established HTC's standalone VR strategy that would later evolve into the Focus Plus and Focus 3 enterprise series.

History and Development

HTC VR Strategy

Market expansion:

Vive PC VR success
Standalone demand
China market first
Enterprise focus

November 2017 Announcement

Product reveal:

First HTC standalone
Inside-out tracking
6DoF headset capability
Snapdragon 835 power

January 2018 China Launch

Initial release:

China-first strategy
Enterprise focus
Location-based entertainment
Market testing

2019 Global Expansion

Worldwide availability:

$599 price point
Global markets
Enterprise channel
Developer support

Design Philosophy

Standalone Freedom

No PC required:

All-in-one device
No external sensors
Untethered operation
Mobile deployment

Inside-Out Tracking

Self-contained tracking:

6DoF headset tracking
No lighthouses needed
Room-scale capable
Easy setup

Enterprise Focus

Professional applications:

Location-based VR
Training
Enterprise deployment
Vive Wave platform

Display Technology

AMOLED Displays

Quality panels:

Resolution: 1440 × 1600 per eye
Combined: 2880 × 1600
Type: AMOLED
Layout: PenTile

Visual Quality

Good specifications:

Same resolution as Vive Pro
Vivid OLED colors
Deep blacks
Good contrast

75Hz Refresh Rate

Standard timing:

Adequate for VR
Smooth motion
Comfortable experience
Standard for era

Field of View

110° FOV

Standard VR coverage:

Same as PC Vive
Good immersion
Natural viewing
Competitive specification

Optical System

Fresnel Lenses

Standard optics:

Good clarity
Wide sweet spot
Some god rays
Standard quality

IPD Adjustment

Physical adjustment:

Dial mechanism
User accommodation
Comfortable fit
Wide range

Processing Power

Snapdragon 835

Flagship mobile VR:

CPU: Octa-core
GPU: Adreno 540
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 32GB (expandable)

Performance

Mobile VR capable:

Standalone applications
3D environments
Video playback
Enterprise apps

Expandable Storage

microSD support:

Up to 2TB expansion
Local content
Enterprise deployment
Flexible storage

Tracking System

6DoF Inside-Out (Headset)

Self-contained tracking:

World-facing cameras
SLAM tracking
Room-scale capable
No external sensors

3DoF Controller

Limited controller tracking:

Rotational only
No positional tracking
Basic interaction
Single controller included

World-Scale Tracking

Large environment:

No boundary limits
Location-based VR
Warehouse-scale possible
Enterprise flexibility

Controller

Single 3DoF Controller

Basic input:

Included controller
Rotational tracking only
Touchpad
Trigger and buttons

Controller Limitations

3DoF constraints:

No hand position
Limited interaction
Pointer-based input
Gesture limitations

Audio System

Integrated Speakers

Built-in audio:

Open speakers
Spatial audio capable
Environmental awareness
Convenient

3.5mm Jack

Alternative audio:

Headphone option
Private listening
Better audio quality
User choice

Dual Microphones

Voice capture:

Voice commands
Communication
Recording
Social VR

Battery

Internal Battery

Standalone power:

Capacity: ~3700mAh
Life: 2-3 hours
Charge Time: ~2.5 hours
USB-C charging

Physical Design

Standalone Form Factor

All-in-one design:

Weight: ~695g
Self-contained
No external connections
Mobile deployment

Adjustable Headstrap

Comfort features:

Dial adjustment
Balanced design
Extended wear
Secure fit

Build Quality

HTC construction:

Quality materials
Durable design
Professional finish
Reliable

Software Platform

Vive Wave

Open platform:

Android-based
Open to developers
Cross-device compatibility
Enterprise tools

Viveport M

Content store:

Mobile VR content
Enterprise apps
Entertainment
Subscription option

Enterprise Features

Professional tools:

Device management
Kiosk mode
Content deployment
Enterprise support

Use Cases

Location-Based Entertainment

VR arcades:

Free-roaming VR
Arcade installations
Theme parks
Entertainment venues

Enterprise Training