Key Points
- Apple Vision Pro features 23 million total pixels and HDR support, while HTC Vive Pro 2 has 6 million pixels and no HDR support.
- Apple Vision Pro offers eye and face tracking, LiDAR and TrueDepth sensors, while HTC Vive Pro 2 lacks these features.
- HTC Vive Pro 2 is designed for VR gaming and is compatible with Steam VR platform, while Apple Vision Pro is an augmented reality headset with its own operating system, visionOS.
The recently announced Apple Vision Pro is the manufacturer’s first foray into augmented reality wearable technology. While the price tag is eye-wincingly high, Apple has a very particular way of doing things. As such, it is with bated breath that many are looking to see how the Vision Pro fares.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is the latest iteration of the company’s stellar VR headset. Fully prepared for VR gaming, it will give you the absolute best experience available. So, how do these two products stack up?
While the Vision Pro isn’t intended as a gaming headset, it could very easily serve that function. The Vive Pro 2 isn’t meant to be a mixed-reality headset, but could readily work in the Metaverse.
If you’re on the fence about which headset to buy, then it’s worth exploring your options. Let’s take a closer look at how Apple’s latest stacks against a more established headset.
Apple Vision Pro vs HTC Vive Pro 2: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Apple Vision Pro | HTC Vive Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Lens Adjustment | Automatic | Manual |
| Display Type | Micro-OLED | OLED |
| Total Pixels | 23 million | 6 million |
| HDR Support | Yes | No |
| Color Cameras | 2 | None |
| Depth Sensors | LiDAR and TrueDepth | $1399 for the whole kit, $799 for headset only |
| Eye and Face Tracking | Yes | No |
| External Display Support | Yes | No |
| Microphones | Yes | Yes |
| Tracked Controllers | No | Yes |
| Manufacturer Suggested Retail Pricing | 2 with additional sensors through the SteamVR base station | $1399 for the whole kit, $799 for the headset only |
These are two very different headsets, as you can readily see.
Apple Vision Pro vs HTC Vive Pro 2: What’s the Difference?
Do keep in mind that any information on the Apple Vision Pro is tentative, as the product itself has not yet been launched. The Vive Pro 2 is readily available from retailers, however.
Use Case
The Apple Vision Pro is positioned to work as an augmented reality headset first and foremost. If you remember the now-defunct Google Glass, it operates in a similar manner but with a lot more horsepower driving the whole thing.
The Vision Pro is intended to supplant and support other Apple products and looks to be meant as a natural extension of Apple’s ecosystem. It isn’t built to naturally handle gaming, though Apple certainly did show it was capable of doing so. Instead, it looks to be a truly wearable computer.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is the flagship product in the HTC VR headset line. If you’re looking for something with blisteringly fast refresh rates, high resolution, and a host of other great features for gaming, this is the headset to get.
It does have some integration with Metaverse content, but that could be said for any mainstream VR headset on the market currently. It is not a standalone device by any measure.
Functionality
The Apple Vision Pro is effectively another Apple computer. It is powered by an entirely new R1 chip, designed specifically for VR.
It will have its own dedicated operating system, visionOS, with app integration and a multitude of popular iPhone and iPad apps. You can use it as a completely standalone device, using your eyes as a means of navigating the operating system itself. It can also function as a VR headset or external monitor for Mac computers.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a VR headset for gaming first and foremost, and, as such, has trackable controllers and other utilities. Users also have body sensing through the pair of sensors that comes with the kit, or they can opt to use the SteamVR base station and get a wider range.
VR gaming has been somewhat niche, but it definitely has a following. It is not a standalone device, however, as you will need a computer to operate the Vive Pro 2.
Integration
The Apple Vision Pro is poised to be the next pillar of the Apple ecosystem. Apple has spent the last two decades building an integrated ecosystem, so devices communicate with each other quite readily. As such, the Vision Pro is looking to extend this functionality to a wearable headset.
You can use it as a completely independent device but, as mentioned, you will be able to synchronize applications and use it as an external monitor. Not much is known about how integration will work in regard to other portable devices like the iPhone or iPad.
- 5K resolution (4896 x 2448 resolution)
- 120-degree field of view (FOV)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Comfortable fit for VR sessions
- IPD adjustment dial
The HTC Vive Pro 2 doesn’t really integrate with much aside from compatible PC hardware. It isn’t a standalone device like the Meta Quest, for example, and, as such, lacks that integration between mobile devices and dedicated desktops.
HTC built the device for gaming on Steam’s VR platform. The original Vive started as one of the flagship products launched in conjunction with it.
Software Support
The Apple Vision Pro is off to a promising headstart in regard to hardware. Headsets rarely flourish based on the strength of the hardware, however. You can assume Apple will have its own set of apps that take full advantage of the headset.
What really matters is how third-party developers are going to embrace the device. It does have the potential to be a killer app for those who can afford it, but that also comes with the caveat of third-party developers embracing the device.
This is a major point of concern, as no one wants their $3,499 headset to be a fancier monitor with first-party support and minimal third-party support. The HTC Vive Pro 2 is fully compatible with most products on the Steam VR platform. It has the trackable controllers and room sensors needed to take advantage of most functions for the hottest VR games.
While VR game publishing isn’t quite as prolific as conventional games, there is a steady stream of titles to keep gamers busy when using the Vive Pro 2. HTC provides stellar support behind the product, as well, so you’ll be set for the time being until support is eventually aligned with advancing technology.
Apple Vision Pro vs HTC Vive Pro 2: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s first dedicated headset.
- The Apple Vision Pro is AR and VR compatible.
- The Apple Vision Pro has a two-hour battery life with the included battery pack.
- The HTC Vive Pro 2 is capable of wireless or wired functionality.
- The HTC Vive Pro 2 is not a standalone device, so you will need a PC to use it.
- The HTC Vive Pro 2 comes as a headset only or with a full package, complete with controllers and base station sensors.
Apple Vision Pro vs HTC Vive Pro 2: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
Time will tell whether the Apple Vision Pro is worth purchasing. With the headset poised to launch in 2024, it is still quite a way out and details are still very scant. Potential users know the various specs surrounding the device.
Not much is known about how much support is going to be available for the device upon launch. If you’re looking for the next great thing, it could easily fit the bill. However, you might want to wait until Apple does a full reveal.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a solid choice for VR gaming and Metaverse use, but it is an expensive gaming peripheral at the end of the day. If you’re interested in VR gaming, it is a great choice. If you’re looking for a piece of wearable technology, this isn’t it.
In short, wait to see how the Apple Vision Pro is received. If you’re a gamer, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is a great choice.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©JLStock/Shutterstock.com.
