Mobiles and consoles are getting their share of virtual reality. Samsung has its Gear VR that you can snap a smartphone in. Sony has its PlayStation VR headset for the PS4. While all of that is great for the VR community, PC-powered VR headsets still reign as kings. Not only does PC-powered VR headsets have better graphics quality, but its motion tracking is also unequaled. Take note that PC-powered VR headsets have a minimum system requirement.
Today, we are comparing two very capable PC-powered VR headsets from two major players in the VR space – Oculus Rift S and HTC Vive. Let us look at their similarities and differences.
Oculus Rift S vs HTC Vive PC VR Headsets – Similarities
All specifications and features of the Oculus Rift S and the HTC Vive are in a side by side chart.
| Name |
Oculus Rift S |
HTC Vive |
| Image |  |
 |
| Screen | Fast-switch LCD panel | Dual 3.6” AMOLED screen |
| Resolution | 1280 x 1440 pixels per eye (2560 x 1440 pixels combined) | 1080 x 1200 pixels per eye (2160 x 1200 pixels combined) |
| Refresh Rate | 80 Hz | 90 Hz |
| Field of View | 115 degrees | 110 degrees |
| Tracking | Oculus Insight technology via 5 internal cameras | SteamVR Tracking, G-sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Proximity Sensor |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.2, USB-A 3.0, 3.5 mm headphone jack | HDMI, USB 2.0, stereo 3.5 mm headphone jack, Power, Bluetooth |
| Microphone | Integrated microphone | Integrated microphone |
| Eye Relief | Interpupillary distance adjustment via a software | Interpupillary distance and lens distance adjustment |
| Audio | Built-in speakers | None |
| Front-facing Camera | 5 Internal Cameras | Single Camera |
| Controller Sensors | Six Degrees of Freedom motion tracking | SteamVR Tracking |
| Controller Input | Dual analog thumbsticks, four face buttons, four triggers | Multifunction trackpad, Grip buttons, dual-stage trigger, System button, Menu Button |
| Controller Connections / Power | Requires 2 AA batteries | Micro USB charging port |
| Controller Battery Life | Depends on the AA batteries | Approx. 6 hours |
| Maximum Room Scale | Unlimited | 3.5 meters x 3.5 meters |
| Recommended Room Scale | Unlimited | 3.5 meters x 3.5 meters |
| What’s Included | Oculus Rift S headset, A Pair of Oculus Touch Controllers, 2 AA batteries, a 5-meter cable, Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter | HTC Vive headset, Two Base Stations, a Link Box, a Pair of Controllers, a Micro USB charger, a bunch of cables, and accessories |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
PC-Powered Virtual Reality
The Oculus Rift S and HTC Vive should be powered by a gaming PC to work. Both require similar PC setup specifications except for RAM. The Oculus Rift S needs a PC to have at least 8GB of RAM versus the 4GB needed by the HTC Vive. After their setup, you can jump right into the virtual reality world. You can use your SteamVR libraries to play games.
Weight and Comfort
Although the Rift S and Vive have a weight difference, it is negligible. The Rift S weighs slightly more at 563 grams while the Vive weighs only 555 grams. They are about equal from a comfort standpoint. While their mounting system differs, both are comfortable enough to be used for gaming in long hours.
Oculus Rift S vs HTC Vive – Differences
What are the differences between these PC-powered virtual reality headsets? Keep reading and you will find out.
Display
Oculus Rift S
The Oculus used a fast-switch LCD panel on the Rift S. This is a strange decision from Oculus since they used OLED panels for the original Rift. Although it does not have the deep colors that OLED panels give, the picture quality is still great overall and the ‘screen door’ effect is reduced. Moving on, this single LCD panel has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Their switch to the fast-switch LCD panel made me think that the Rift S has a fast refresh rate, but it does not. The Rift S has a refresh rate of only 80 Hertz which is unfortunate. Lastly, it has a marginally higher field of view of 115 degrees.
HTC Vive
The original HTC Vive has a dual 3.6” AMOLED display which gives better and more vibrant colors than the fast-switch LCD panel that Rift S used. However, the Vive has a significantly lower pixel resolution of 1080 x 1200 pixels per eye or 2160 x 1200 pixels combined. This lower-resolution display amplifies the ‘screen door’ effect that has plagued AMOLED displays. The Vive has an incrementally faster refresh rate of 90 Hertz but a lower field of view at 110 degrees. Although the Vive does not have a higher resolution, it still beats the Rift S in the display category especially since it has a physical Interpupillary distance knob.
The Winner Is- HTC Vive
Mounting and Setup
The method of how you wear and setup each headset is different.
Oculus Rift S
The Oculus Rift S has a halo-style head mounting. It has padding all around for extreme comfort. You can adjust how tight the headset fit your head through the knob the back. There is an additional stretchable head strap for more secure placement. Setup is also easier for the Oculus Rift S because it uses an inside-out tracking, more on this later. This halo-style head mount also houses the integrated microphone and speakers.
HTC Vive
On the other hand, Vive uses stretchable head straps all around. Comfort is similar to the Rift S but most of the Vive is front-heavy. Though this is the case, you can still game with the HTC Vive for a long period. The Vive does not have a built-in headset but it has an integrated microphone. You can still buy a separate strap that has built-in headphones, however. Or better yet, you can use a headphone you got lying around the house because both the Vive and Rift S have headphone jacks. Setup is more involved when it comes to the Vive. But once you set it up correctly, it can track movements better. With the easier setup of the Rift S, it has the edge over the Vive.
The Winner Is- Oculus Rift S
Tracking Technology
The tracking technology used in the VR headsets dictates how accurate the tracking is going to be.
Oculus Rift S
As mentioned earlier, the setup is easier with the Rift S. This can be attributed to the lack of lighthouses or base stations to install across the room. The Rift S uses an inside-out tracking technology that requires an array of cameras and built-in sensors to track motion and movements. Oculus calls their inside-out tracking as the Oculus Insight. While the setup is easier, its tracking accuracy is not better. Since it uses cameras, it also requires plenty of light to see movements. Moreover, the cameras should see the controllers. Thus, when you put the controllers behind you the Rift S may struggle with the tracking. Lastly, it has a larger play area than the Vive. Theoretically, you can play in a wide space with no problem.
HTC Vive
Setup is indeed more difficult and more involved because the Vive uses an external tracking solution. It uses SteamVR base stations that you need to install in your room. It does need some effort to install, but you are rewarded with it more accurate tracking. The Vive can even track the Vive Wand Controllers even when you placed it at your back. The SteamVR base stations have their room size limit, however. You can install the HTC Vive in a room not larger than 3.5 meters by 3.5 meters. Although it has a smaller play area, the more accurate tracking is more impressive and more important because it adds to the realism of the games.
The Winner Is- HTC Vive
Pros and Cons
The pros and cons of the Oculus Rift S and the HTC Vive will help us to determine which VR system is the better option.
Oculus Rift S
Pros:
- The picture quality that the Oculus Rift S produces is clear and sharper due to its higher resolution.
- Setup is less involved because it uses the Oculus Insight (inside-out tracking).
- It has an integrated microphone and speakers.
Cons:
- Aside from its high resolution, the other display specifications are mediocre.
HTC Vive
Pros:
- Although the HTC Vive has a lower resolution, it has a more vibrant AMOLED panel and a faster refresh rate of 90 Hertz.
- SteamVR tracking is more accurate.
- It has a physical interpupillary distance adjustment knob.
Cons:
- The Vive uses the aging Vive Wand controllers.
The Final Verdict
PC is undoubtedly the king of gaming. It has a wide library of games, to begin with. And now with the release of PC-powered VR headsets, it becomes wider than ever. With the two devices, we compared today, they have their advantages and disadvantages. For me setting up lighthouses is not a problem, so I choose the HTC Vive for its more accurate tracking.