Author
Home > Technology > What is the Difference Between HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR?

Guilherme Mazui

•4 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR (PSVR) are both popular virtual reality headsets, but they have some key differences in terms of resolution, field of view, comfort, and user experience.

Resolution and Display:

  • HTC Vive: Offers a total resolution of 2160 x 1200 and a 90Hz refresh rate, with two OLED displays.
  • Sony PSVR: Features a single 5.7-inch 1920 x 1080 OLED display with RGB subpixels, delivering a 960 x 1080 picture to each eye.

Field of View:

  • HTC Vive: Has a 10° wider field of view compared to Sony PSVR.

Comfort and Design:

  • HTC Vive: Can be used wirelessly and has adjustable IPD (interpupillary distance). However, it is primarily a seated experience.
  • Sony PSVR: Has a futuristic design and places some of the technology above the goggles to help distribute weight, making it more comfortable for longer sessions. It is also a mainly seated experience.

Tracking and User Experience:

  • HTC Vive: Uses Valve's Lighthouse tech for tracking and allows you to see your real-world surroundings via a front-facing camera and its chaperone system.
  • Sony PSVR: Requires you to slide up the headset to see your surroundings. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, which can help reduce motion sickness.

In summary, the HTC Vive offers a higher resolution, wider field of view, and wireless usage, while the Sony PSVR provides a more comfortable design and a higher refresh rate. The choice between the two depends on your preferences and budget.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR?
  • Comparative Table: HTC Vive vs Sony PlayStation VR

    • Comparative Table: HTC Vive vs Sony PlayStation VR

    Here is a table comparing the differences between the HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR (PSVR):

    Feature HTC Vive Sony PlayStation VR (PSVR)
    Resolution Higher resolution screen Lower resolution screen
    Room Tracking Utilizes two frontal cameras for room tracking Utilizes four frontal cameras for room tracking, offering better tracking capabilities
    Facial Tracking Offers facial movement tracking with an additional add-on Does not offer facial tracking at time of writing
    PC Support Wider PC support and compatibility Limited PC support and compatibility
    Social and AR Capabilities Part of the "Viverse" and more geared towards social applications Not as focused on social applications at launch
    Price Requires a powerful gaming PC, which can be more expensive than a PS5 Compatible with PS5, which is less expensive than a powerful gaming PC

    In summary, the HTC Vive offers a higher resolution screen, better room tracking with two cameras, facial tracking with an additional add-on, and wider PC support. On the other hand, the Sony PlayStation VR has a lower resolution screen, better room tracking with four cameras, and is compatible with the PS5 at a lower cost than a powerful gaming PC required for the HTC Vive.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.