Virtual reality systems are relevant again. VR systems like Nintendo’s Virtual Boy used to be a flop because of how bulky and unportable the systems are. However, when Oculus Rift was launched as a Kickstarter campaign, the momentum for VR development has started again. Nowadays, we have multiple virtual reality systems that consumers can buy.
Among all VR systems, we are going to take a look at two promising VR headsets – HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index. We will compare all of their features including build and comfort, display, screen resolution, refresh rate and field of view, audio and microphone, connectivity, and price. There is also a section that will deal with the pros and cons of these VR headsets. At the end of the article, we will give you our opinion on which VR system to choose and why. Let’s start this detailed comparison with comparison chart that will give you a quick overview of the HTC Vive Pro and the Valve Index Virtual Reality headsets.
| HTC VIVE Pro | Valve Index | |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Screen | Dual 3.5” AMOLED panels | Dual LCD panels |
| Resolution | 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye (2880 x 1600 pixels combined) | 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye (2880 x 1600 pixels combined) |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz | 80 / 90 / 120 / 144 Hz |
| Field of View | 110 degrees | 130 degrees |
| Sensors | SteamVR Tracking, G-sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Proximity sensor, Eye Comfort Setting (IPD) | SteamVR 2.0 sensors, G-sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Proximity Sensor |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, USB-C port for peripherals, DisplayPort | 5-meter tether, 1-meter breakaway trident connector. USB 3.0, DisplayPort 1.2, 12V power, Aux 3.5mm Headphone Out |
| Microphone | Integrated microphones | Dual Microphone Array |
| Eye Relief | Eye relief with lens distance adjustment
Adjustable Eye Comfort Setting (IPD) |
Optimized eye relief adjustment, Double element, canted lens design |
| Audio | Hi-Res and 3D spatial audio | Built-in: 37.5mm off-ear Balanced Mode Radiators (BMR) |
| Front-facing Camera | Stereo Camera Array | Stereo Camera Array (960 x 960 pixels) |
| Controller Sensors | SteamVR Tracking | SteamVR 2.0 sensors |
| Controller Input | Multifunction trackpad, Grip buttons, dual-stage trigger, System button, Menu Button | A Button, B Button, System Button, Trigger, Thumbstick, Track Button with Force Sensor, Grip Force Sensor, Finger Tracking, IMU |
| Controller Connections | Micro USB charging port | USB Type-C port |
| Controller Battery Life | Approx. 6 hours | Approx. 7 hours |
| Maximum Room Scale | 5 meters x 5 meters (SteamVR 1.0); 10 meters x 10 meters (SteamVR 2.0) | 10 meters x 10 meters |
| Recommended Room Scale | 3.5 meters x 3.5 meters | 2 meters x 1.5 meters |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Similarities between HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index
Build and Comfort
HTC Vive Pro improved significantly compared to the older generation Vive. HTC upgraded some of the features lacking in the Vive that consumers initially wanted. Unlike the old Vive, the HTC Vive has similar mounting to the Valve Index. It has a rigid padded strap that goes around your head and an overhead stretchable strap like the Valve Index has. HTC used the same face padding that most consumers hate on the original Vive with the HTC Vive Pro, however. The HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index are still built well and comfortable enough for long VR sessions.
Screen Resolution
As mentioned above, the HTC Vive Pro is just an improved Vive. One aspect it improved on is screen resolution. It now matches the Valve Index’ screen resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye or 2880 x 1600 pixels combined. However, their screens have different panel technology, more on that later.
Audio
Another aspect the HTC Vive Pro made improvements on is audio. In the original Vive, you have to use a separate pair of headphones via its headphone jack to immerse yourself in audio. Now, with the improved Vive Pro, it has built-in headphones that have a lot of movement. HTC claims that this pair of headphones has Hi-Res and 3D spatial audio. On the Valve side of things, you have the amazing audio quality that is produced by its nearfield flat head speakers on each side.
Differences between HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index
Display
The display is the most important thing in a VR headset. Let us see how their displays stack up against each other.
HTC VIVE Pro
As mentioned above, both the Vive Pro and Index have identical screen resolutions but different panel technology. The HTC Vive Pro uses an AMOLED panel like its predecessor. Its contrast is top-notch and unmatched. The colors are vibrant, and the blacks are deep. However, the screen door effect is still persistent in the Vive Pro but less noticeable compared to the non-Pro version. The handling of excess light leakage is improved due to its improved nose seal. HTC is offering a bundled Vive Pro with the latest SteamVR base station 2.0 which has an increased play space of 100 square meters. If you bought the headset only, you could still pair it with your SteamVR base station 1.0.
Valve Index
While the Vive Pro uses an AMOLED panel, the Valve Index uses a dual LCD panel. However, the contrast is not as amazing as an AMOLED panel, but Valve still claims that its colors are vivid enough and blacks are deep enough. One advantage of the Valve Index over the Vive Pro is the screen door effect or the lack thereof. But with less visible screen door effect and the more vivid AMOLED display, the HTC Vive Pro takes this one.
The Winner Is- HTC Vive Pro
Refresh Rate and Field of View
Motion sickness is common when using VR headsets for a long time. That is why it is preferred to rest now and then. To combat motion sickness, VR developers put higher refresh rate displays.
HTC VIVE Pro
Although HTC improved a lot from the original Vive, its refresh rate and field of view are where they did not enhance. The HTC Vive Pro still has a 90 Hertz screen with a field of view of 110 degrees. The 90-Hertz panel is still an upgrade to your typical monitor which only runs at a constant 60 Hertz. But considering smartphones now are getting 120 Hertz display, it is a shame that HTC still placed a 90-Hertz panel.
Valve Index
On the other hand, the Valve Index has various refresh rates it can run in. It can go as low as 80 Hertz to as high as 144 Hertz. Take note that the 144- Hertz refresh rate is still at the experimental stage at the moment. But 120 Hertz is indeed smoother than the static 90-Hertz panel of the HTC Vive Pro.
The Winner Is- Valve Index
Audio and Microphone
Audio is the second most important part of an audio-video experience. Thus, having good audio on a VR headset is necessary.
HTC VIVE Pro
The HTC Vive Pro now has a built-in pair of stereo headphones. It has a Hi-Res Audio Certification so it can guarantee a superb audio experience. Moreover, it is now integrated with 3D spatial sound for a more immersive experience. However, some consumers felt that it lacks bass. This is particularly more noticeable for games such as Beat Saber. This is due to the lack of isolation from the environment. You could use other headphones if you needed that extra bass. However, you need to use a dongle from 3.5mm to USB Type-C because HTC removed the standard headphone jack.
Valve Index
The audio experience that the Valve index brings is noticeably better. The Index uses a pair of nearfield flat head speakers to blast sounds directly at your ear. Like the HTC Vive Pro, it is unsealed so it may leak some sounds. You can plug your favorite headphones via the standard 3.5mm headphone jack if you wish so. Lastly, the microphone array in the Valve Index has better audio pickup than the Vive Pro.
The Winner Is- Valve Index
Connectivity
While the HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index have the same method of connecting to your gaming PC, there is one critical difference that may help shape your decision.
HTC VIVE Pro
Due to their larger pixel density, the Vive Pro and the Index use a DisplayPort instead of the typical HDMI port. Moreover, both use USB 3.0 for their peripherals. And as mentioned above, HTC removed the 3.5mm headphone jack. Their one difference is being wireless. Yes, you read that right. The HTC Vive Pro can go wireless via the Vive Wireless Adapter so you can enjoy your favorite VR titles untethered. You can buy the Vive Wireless Adapter separately.
Valve Index
The Valve Index, as mentioned earlier, uses a DisplayPort 1.2 and USB 3.0 to work. Also, having a 3.5mm headphone jack is one of its advantages. Unlike the HTC Vive Pro, it cannot go wireless as Valve has not developed a wireless module for the Index.
The Winner Is- HTC Vive Pro
Price
As I always mention in almost all of my articles, price is the ultimate deciding factor every consumer considers. It can make or break the purchase.
HTC VIVE Pro
Having a high-resolution AMOLED screen and the ability to go wireless is all good. It has one caveat, however. It shows in the HTC Vive Pro’s price. The Vive Pro is usually 40 percent more expensive than the Valve Index. And as of this writing, it is as much as 3 times the price of the original Vive.
Valve Index
The Valve Index’s cheaper price is indeed a bargain. It has a higher refresh rate, wider field of view, and better audio among others more. With that said, the Valve Index delivers more bang for your buck than the HTC Vive Pro.
The Winner Is- Valve Index
Pros and Cons
HTC VIVE Pro
Pros:
- Dual 3.5″ AMOLED panels
- Combined screen resolution of 2880 x 1600 pixels
- Uses DisplayPort
- Interpupillary distance and lens distance adjustment
- SteamVR 2.0
- Can go wireless using Vive Wireless Adapter
Cons:
- Has static refresh rate of 90 Hertz
- Has a narrower field of view of 110 degrees
- Has inferior audio and microphone quality
- Narrower room-scale when SteamVR 1.0 is used
Valve Index
Pros:
- Dual LCD panels
- Combined screen resolution of 2880 x 1600 pixels
- Multiple refresh rate settings (80/90/120/144Hz)
- Reduced motion sickness
- Wider field of view of approx. 130 degrees
- Dual microphone array
- Better a better audio and microphone quality
- Uses DisplayPort
- Interpupillary distance and lens distance adjustment
- SteamVR 2.0
- Uses USB Type-C for controller charging
- Controller battery life at around 7 hours
- Larger maximum room-scale
Cons:
- Tethered headset
- Cannot go wireless
Which VR System is Better?
To sum up, the HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index are truly the kings of high-end consumer VR headsets. Both headsets are great for newbies and seasoned users alike. However, this is a comparison where one should be better. The HTC Vive Pro is indeed an upgrade from the original Vive. VR headsets are generally expensive but not that expensive as the Vive Pro. This is exactly why consumers find it harder to buy. Go for the Valve Index as it brings more value.