HTC unveiled the Vive Pro 2 today at its global VR conference, and with 5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, HTC is trying to help deliver the most immersive VR experience possible.

The Vive Pro 2 looks to offer some notable upgrades to the 2018 Vive Pro. pushing aside the 5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate a bit, the new headset features a dual stacked lens design, expanding the field of view by 120 degrees which will help prevent the dreaded "screen door effect." Gone are the days of staring into the pixel-to-pixel gap; the Vive Pro 2 will also be the first VR headset to feature Display Stream Compression (DSC). Typically used in high-end monitors, DSC enhances the already impressive visual quality of HTC's latest VR headset.

HTC aims to "take PC VR to the next level," as stated in the press release. However, the company does not intend to leave early adopters behind: all VIVE SteamVR accessories will work with the Vive Pro 2. This includes controllers/gloves, base stations, trackers, and more. It is even possible to use older graphics cards that were supported by the original Vive Pro.

Design-wise, the Vive Pro 2 is similar to its predecessor. It features the same adjustable head strap, quick adjustable sizing dials, and 3D spatial sound. Most of the upgrades are inside the headset. Given the reputation of the original Pro, this is not a bad thing.

HTC opened the pre-order gates today with a special discount; the Vive Pro 2 is currently available for $749, $50 off the regular price, and the full kit (including Base Station 2.0 and Vive controller) will be $1399 on June 4.

Some may scoff at this price, especially given the existence of more affordable headsets like the Oculus Quest 2, which can be purchased starting at $299. The only other 5K VR headsets available are the Pimax Vision 5K and 8K models, both more expensive than the HTC Vive Pro 2.

As for how the HTC Vive Pro 2 will stand out in a crowded VR market, that remains to be seen. Right now, the Oculus Quest 2 continues to be at the center of the VR conversation. Not only is its price point affordable, but it can be connected to a PC for more hardcore applications. Additionally, Oculus' Air Link feature removes dangling wires, making games with lots of movement much easier; the HTC Vive Pro 2 looks impressive on paper, but its 120-degree viewing angle is measured diagonally and is not as wide as HTC suggests. Additionally, HTC opted for an LCD display instead of OLED, which some feel is a downgrade. Finally, the $1,400 full kit includes the original Vive wand. The controller has not been updated at all for 2021; for HTC to stand out, it will need to prove that these upgrades are worth the price.