Compare VIVE Focus Vision & VIVE XR Elite VR Headsets

David Okano • Jan. 13, 2025

3-minute read

HTC VIVE offers two powerful XR headsets, VIVE Focus Vision and VIVE XR Elite. Each comes with its own distinct set of strengths. Whether you’re prioritizing portability, visuals, or PC VR capabilities, this side-by-side comparison will help you find the headset that fits you best.

VR headset designs

These two headsets have significantly different designs. VIVE Focus Vision is a robust virtual reality headset with larger PU leather cushions and a robust top strap for comfort. In contrast, VIVE XR Elite offers a more compact, lightweight design with a foam-based gasket and a sleek, VR glasses style. This design prioritizes portability—folding neatly to fit into a small bag.

Key design distinctions

VIVE Focus Vision: Supports eyeglasses up to 150 mm wide
VIVE XR Elite: Includes adjustable diopters to personalize a comfortable viewing experience
IPD Adjustment: VIVE Focus Vision comes with a motorized automatic adjustment, while VIVE XR Elite has a manual slider

Both headsets support hand tracking and work seamlessly with VIVE Ultimate Tracker 3+1 Kit for full-body tracking.

VR headset specs

Connecting a VIVE Focus Vision headset to a PC using DisplayPort for optimal performance.

Both headsets connect wirelessly to your PC, offering freedom for games and applications. They also support wired VR streaming.

VIVE XR Elite: Uses a USB-C connection for 90 Hz refresh rate
VIVE Focus Vision: Compatible with DisplayPort mode—enabling visually lossless PC VR streaming at 90 Hz and 120 Hz (beta)

The visually lossless capabilities of VIVE Focus Vision are especially beneficial to VR gamers looking for the highest quality graphics.

Other key differences

Field of View: VIVE Focus Vision (120°) vs. VIVE XR Elite (110°)
Resolution: VIVE Focus Vision offers 5K resolution, which is 27% more pixels per eye compared to the 4K resolution on VIVE XR Elite
Eye Tracking: Built in for VIVE Focus Vision, VIVE XR Elite requires VIVE Full Face Tracker accessory

Both headsets feature the Snapdragon XR2 processor, Wi-Fi 6E, and inside-out tracking for accurate positional tracking.

Storage and memory

These headsets share similar storage and memory specs.

RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128 GB onboard

VIVE Focus Vision can add up to 2 TB of expandable storage using microSD, making it future-proof while accommodating your growing standalone content needs.

Mixed reality capabilities

Both headsets are MR-capable, though VIVE Focus Vision has a slight hardware advantage.

VIVE Focus Vision: Dual high-resolution, full-color passthrough cameras, and depth sensor
VIVE XR Elite: Single full-color passthrough camera and depth sensor

The stereoscopic cameras on VIVE Focus Vision provide true-to-life spatial awareness, revealing a depth-correct view of your surroundings in mixed reality experiences.

Battery life

Features included on both headsets.

Hot-swappable batteries: 2 hours of wireless use
Controllers: Up to 15 hours of battery life, capacitive sensors

A unique VIVE Focus Vision benefit is its built-in reserve battery, which powers the headset for an additional 20 minutes without the external pack.

Audio and microphones

Dual microphones with noise and echo cancellation are included on each one of the headsets. There are a couple of things to note, though.

VIVE Focus Vision: Open-back, dual-driver directional speakers with 3D audio and minimal sound leakage and a high-resolution 3.5 mm audio jack for your personal headphones
VIVE XR Elite: Embedded, off-ear speakers, absent a 3.5 mm jack, as to prioritize a smaller headset design

VR accessories

Person wearing VIVE XR Elite with VIVE MR Gasket attached.

VIVE XR Elite offers a variety of in-box accessories to enhance comfort and usability. Deluxe Pack comes with the MR Gasket, Face Gasket 2.0, Deluxe Strap (similar to VIVE Focus Vision), and Temple Clips for additional stability. A sleek protective case to carry the headset and an extra battery cradle for extended use are also available for purchase, sold separately.

VIVE Focus Vision and VIVE XR Elite headsets with the hot-swappable battery feature for extended VR playtime.

VIVE Focus Vision offers a charging case, extra headset batteries, and multi-battery chargers for business training—as well as location-based operations and heavy gaming.

They both work seamlessly with VIVE Ultimate Trackers for full-body tracking.

Which VR headset is best for you?

VIVE Focus Vision highlights include inside-out tracking, dual passthrough cameras, directional speakers, high resolution, automatic IPD adjustment, and more.

VIVE XR Elite highlights include inside-out tracking, 16 MP RGB passthrough camera, seamless speakers, and combined resolution of 3840 x 1920 px.

VIVE Focus Vision delivers top-tier, PC VR gaming with stunning 5K visuals, expanded storage, and built-in eye tracking. VIVE XR Elite excels as a lightweight, portable solution for productivity and gaming. It offers powerful mixed reality capabilities, as well as travel flexibility.

Person using VR headset with VIVE Ultimate Trackers for full-body tracking.

Both provide high frame rates, crisp visuals, and premium features. They both also feature full-body and full-face tracking accessories for VRChat users looking for the most immersive and engaging experience. Just consider your specific use case—gaming, productivity, or portability—then make the best choice for you. It’s that simple.

Check out the headsets: VIVE Focus Vision and VIVE XR Elite

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