HTC VIVE Focus 3 Review

The HTC VIVE Focus 3 is an exceptionally comfortable and well-built VR headset. The glasses are easy to put on, the controllers are intuitive to use, and the tracking of these is good. Moreover, the image resolution and FOV are extraordinarily good (especially considering it's a standalone VR headset).

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 (Snapdragon 865)
• Memory: 128GB, 8GB RAM
• Resolution (per eye): 2448 x 2448
• Display type: 2 x LCD panels
• Refresh rate: 90 Hz
• Field of View (FOV): 120 degrees
• IPD: Manually adjustable, 57 - 72 mm
• Tracking method: Inside-out tracking
• Weight: 785 grams (with battery)

The first thing that stands out about the HTC VIVE Focus 3 is that the headset looks quite different from its predecessor (VIVE Focus Plus). The headset has a completely different color (black/dark gray) and also a completely different design. In our opinion, this is an improvement, as the VIVE Focus Plus looked rather bulky and big, while the VIVE Focus 3 is a sleek headset that fits well in an office or other work environment.

The VIVE Focus 3 has 4 built-in inside-out tracking cameras spread across the top and bottom of the front. These tracking cameras are neatly tucked away and hardly noticeable. At the back of the VIVE Focus 3 is a headband that reminds of the Elite Strap of the Oculus Quest 2. However, the band of the VIVE Focus 3 has a significant advantage: the built-in battery can be removed and charged separately. If you have two batteries, it's possible to charge one battery and swap it out when needed. The headband has a dial to tighten the headset on the face. The PU leather face cushion feels soft and comfortable, making the headset easy to wear for extended periods.

The so-called 'light bleed' (light leaking from the nose opening) is kept to a very minimum with the VIVE Focus 3. Because of the tight fit with the face mask, you can firmly attach the VIVE Focus 3 to the face. The built-in fan ensures sufficient air is blown through the glasses, preventing fogging of the lenses or other problems.

Inside the VIVE Focus 3 is a Snapdragon XR2 processor. This processor corresponds to the chip found in the Oculus Quest 2 and the (yet to be released) Pico Neo 3. This processor is currently seen as the most powerful processor for a standalone VR headset. Games can be played at good quality, and VR simulations and other types of training can be performed without problems.

The high image resolution combined with the large field of view is a distinctive feature of the VIVE Focus 3. The image resolution of 2448 x 1448 pixels (per eye) and the field of view of 120 degrees provide a very pleasant viewing experience for users. For comparison: the Oculus Quest 2 has an image resolution of 1832 x 1920 and a field of view of about 100 degrees.

The controllers of the new VIVE Focus 3 have also received a strong update. The controllers now resemble the Oculus Quest controllers, which is certainly not bad news. The Oculus controllers are currently seen as the most comfortable and intuitive controllers you can have. Therefore, it's not hard to imagine why HTC has chosen to "copy" the controllers. The controllers of the VIVE Focus 3 are a bit larger than the Quest controllers, but otherwise, they fit well in the hand.

What is also noticeable is that the VIVE Focus 3 has a built-in fan that makes some noise. Especially when an application starts up that requires more power, you notice the fan working extra hard. You also feel some fresh air flowing in against your face. The advantage of this is that the VR headset is properly cooled during use and has little to no chance of overheating. The downside is that a user may experience dry eyes after a longer period.

At the back of the VIVE Focus 3 is a headband with a (removable) battery. The fully charged battery lasts about 2 to 3 hours (depending on the application). The battery can easily be replaced with a new one, so it's recommended to always have an extra battery on hand. This way, you can already have a battery on the charging cable during the use of the VR headset, so you can quickly swap it when needed.

New from HTC is the VIVE Manager App. This mobile application reminds of the Oculus app, with the main difference being that you don't need to log in with a Facebook account for the VIVE App. This mobile application contains everything you need to use the VIVE Focus 3 in your business environment. Think of downloading applications such as VIVE Sync, VIVE XR Suite, and VIVE Business Streaming - but also remotely checking for updates, saving, sharing, and scaling your own VR content, and kiosk mode for certain applications.

What is noticeable about the VIVE App is that (at the moment) very few entertainment applications are available. Most of the applications are aimed at, for example, online meetings or watching videos, but there are only a handful of games to download. VIVE seems to be focusing heavily on the business applications of the VR headset. It is not yet known if more games will become available as standard in the future. However, it is possible to develop your own game and/or application and put it on the VIVE platform.

Fortunately, it is also possible to stream content from a PC with VIVE Business Streaming. This way, it is possible to display more complex and extensive VR applications with the standalone VR headset.

Click here for more information about VIVE Business Device Management.

The HTC VIVE Focus 3 seems to be in the same ballpark as the Oculus Quest 2, but nothing could be further from the truth. Where the Oculus Quest 2 is mainly aimed at consumers, the VIVE Focus 3 is a real Enterprise product. Apart from some hardware differences between the VR headsets, a major difference is in the content offer - and also the way content can (and may) be played. Because the Oculus Quest 2 is specifically aimed at the consumer market, users here always have to log in with an (active) Facebook account. For larger companies and other (often government) institutions, this is a major disadvantage and Oculus is immediately ruled out. As an alternative, users can opt for the Oculus Quest 2 for Business solution, but this also has some problems (such as a long delivery time in some cases).

The VIVE Focus 3 is an all-in-one Enterprise solution with standard applications made for businesses and professionals. In addition to the content of applications, the VIVE Focus 3 also comes standard with the VIVE Business Warranty & Services. This includes (among other things) a business warranty and an accelerated RMA process in case of problems with the product.

The HTC VIVE Focus 3 is an exceptionally comfortable and well-built VR headset. The glasses are easy to put on, the controllers are intuitive to use, and the tracking of these is good. Moreover, the image resolution and FOV are extraordinarily good (especially considering it's a standalone VR headset). However, there is a "but…" with the HTC VIVE Focus 3. The VR headset is clearly aimed at professionals who have previous experience with virtual reality.

Because of the limited (or more precisely targeted) HTC VIVE App Store, it's not recommended to use the HTC VIVE Focus 3 if you're looking for a VR headset to play games on (unless you're creating your own game with, for example, Unity, as the headset works very well with this). Where the VIVE Focus 3 does excel is in its ease of use in a business/professional environment. From the handy PU leather foam face interface that is easy to wipe clean - to the built-in application management and kiosk mode; the VIVE Focus 3 has everything to build a safe and productive work environment for businesses and organizations that want to get started professionally with virtual reality!