Take a peek at the HTC VIVE Cosmos releasing October 4th

Brodie Fogg - Managing Editor - Streaming

Last updated 19 September 2019

HTC has revealed the latest iteration of its VIVE headset and announced local pricing and availability.

The latest model, dubbed the HTC VIVE Cosmos, will cost $1,299 and will release October 4 in Australia. Pre-orders for the updated headset are available now via EB Games with more retail partners to be announced.

The $1,299 price tag makes the VIVE Cosmos more expensive than the standard VIVE headset ($939) and cheaper than the VIVE Pro Starter Kit ($1,899). However, the $939 model might not be around for much longer, as HTC plans to replace it with the Cosmos as its flagship consumer offering.

HTC VIVE Cosmos Specs

Screen: Dual 3.4" LCD diagonal
Resolution: 1440 x 1700 pixels per eye (2880 x 1700 pixels combined)
Refresh rate: 90 Hz
Field of view: 110 degrees
Audio: Built-in stereo headphones
Required PC connectivity: USB 3.0, DisplayPortTM 1.2
Peripheral Ports: USB-C 3.0, proprietary connection to mods
Tracking: Min. 2m x 1.5m room scale
no minimum space requirements for standing/seated, minimum 2m x 1.5m for room-scale
mode
Vive Wireless Adapter support: Yes

HTC is selling the VIVE Cosmos as a “future-proofed” VR headset. What separates it from the standard HTC VIVE (and the rest of the VR crowd, for that matter) is its modular build. The Cosmos faceplate has been built to be upgraded with mods and attachments; the idea is you don’t need to fork out for an entirely new headset to access some of the latest advancements in VR technology.

The Cosmos headset offers six cameras with inside-out tracking (and a 110-degree field-of-view) as well as an updated display with 2800 x 1700 resolution, new LCD panels and RGB displays to reduce the screendoor effect that’s common with VR headsets (the grid effect you notice when you sit too close to the screen).

HTC VIVE Cosmos controllers next to original VIVE controllers

It also sports a new hinge that allows you to flip the headset up when you need to return to reality, rather than removing the headset completely. On top of that, HTC has tacked on some on-ear headphones (which can be removed) and redesigned the controllers with joysticks in place of track pads, and a more compact build overall.

Stay tuned for our first hands-on impression with the HTC VIVE Cosmos.

Brodie Fogg

Managing Editor - Streaming

Brodie Fogg is WhistleOut Australia's Managing Editor for Streaming. He's been writing about tech, streaming, games and telco since 2015. He previously managed a team of entertainment editors at Finder, and has also appeared on 7NEWS.

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