HTC Vive 2: China president suggests new model for CES 2018

HTC Vive 2, the rumors from last November seem to be coming true: at CES 2018, starting on January 8, HTC could show a new model of HTC Vive with a higher resolution. The hints of the Vive president are quite clear.

On Twitter, Vives China president Alvin Wang Graylin makes quite clear hints about a new model of HTC Vive with a higher resolution. He shows a picture with the Vive logo and the inscription “New Year’s Resolution” (Translated: New Year’s resolution). “New Year’s” is out of focus, but the word resolution appears crisp. Below is a comic-style HTC Vive glasses with a view of the lenses.

Already last November there were rumors that HTC plans a new edition of Vive glasses with 4K resolution. Taiwan-based tech news agency Digitimes reported on a new Vive model with two Ultra HD OLED screens, each with a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels. According to DigiTimes, the new glasses should come “at the earliest 2018” on the market. Also, shortly, the price for HTC Vive should be lowered. A first price reduction of 200 euros was in August.

A possible alternative to the higher-resolution screen would be the commercial release of the eye-tracking module Glass. That was introduced some time ago and has been sold to developers since May 2017. While this would not magically increase the pixels of the display, it could, in combination with new rendering techniques. Also, that improves the perceived resolution in the focus area of the lens.

Both announcements would make sense for HTC, as the company needs a technical leap forward to maintain its position as market leader in 2018, especially in China. Although HTC is currently by far the best-known VR brand in China according to its market survey. So, Vive Focus is launching its first self-contained VR glasses there on the market. But the competition does not sleep.

HTC has to assert itself in China as a high-end market leader

Another Chinese VR eyewear manufacturer already offers 4K glasses: Pimax. The device was successfully financed last fall via Kickstarter. The delivery should take place at the end of January, but shifts until at least March.

An even sharper HTC competitor could be LG: The Koreans are expected this year to bring their first high-end VR glasses for SteamVR on the market. Although the prototype of the still unnamed LG glasses does not have 4K resolution, it offers only 1440 by 1280 pixels per eye. LG already indicated that it could change anything until the final version.