CES 2018 | HTC's Vive Pro is a higher-res wireless VR headset for enthusiasts

Virtual Reality may not be the passing fad some critics claimed it was. We're seeing more and more VR-capable titles every year, and the key players in the PC-driven VR market (HTC and Oculus) are doubling down on hardware. HTC just announced the next iteration of its popular Vive headset, the Vive Pro, and there are quite a few improvements to entice VR enthusiasts to part with a bit more pocket change.

The biggest upgrade the Vive Pro brings lies in the display. While the original Vive used two OLED panels, each with a 1080x1200 resolution, the Vive Pro ups the resolution to 1440x1600 in each panel. The total resolution of 2880x1600 calculates out to about 615 pixels per inch, which is noticeably denser than the 446 ppi of its predecessor. The 110-degree field of view is unchanged.

The other major change is the inclusion of built-in headphones that contain dedicated amps. These headphones were likely included so that HTC could make the jump to a wireless VR experience with a WiGig-enabled adapter. The wireless adapter operates on a 60 Ghz band to cut out interference and reduce lag as much as possible. If you're someone that trips over wires while playing VR games, this headset may be just what you need.

There's no word yet on pricing and availability for the Vive Pro. The Vive Wireless Adaptor should be shipping some time in Q3. Hopefully the Vive Pro is a hit; HTC needs a winner on their team.

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