Pre-order date for one of the best VR headsets of 2015 was recently announced. Starting on February 29, 2016, you can pre-order for the VR device. This means you still have less than two months to save up for the headset. We were clueless about the price but we were positive it would rival the Oculus Rift. Well, now we’ve got information, albeit unconfirmed yet, that the HTC Vive will be available for $1,500. Wait, what?!
We’re pretty sure that’s a shocker because seriously, HTC needs to get good on the consumer side especially now that its numbers are declining. Although its promise of a different VR experience, the price is too much for a virtual headset. The market may not be saturated yet but other manufacturers like Google and Samsung have embraced the demand for affordable gear and VR devices. So why sell an over a thousand dollar gadget?
Others are saying that the HTC Vive features special wireless controllers and spatial recognition technology, thus, the high price. Not a lot of people are happy with the rumor. Focus Taiwan News Channel even reported that foreign brokerages are predicting that “HTC could sell no more than 1 million units this year” simply because it is too expensive.
Due for market release this coming April, the HTC Vive is described this early to be ambitious. Actually, it was HTC CEO Cher Wang herself who said that they had indeed an ambitious goal. She said:
“When we first announced Vive ten months ago we had an ambitious goal of fundamentally changing the way people communicate and interact with the world – forever. Since then Vive has received a phenomenally positive reception from media, industry commentators, consumers, and the hundreds of partners and brands we’ve been working with to deliver inspiring and dynamic VR content.”
Sounds like HTC is confident to enter the young market that is currently filled with lesser expensive devices. For one, the Oculus Rift is priced at $599–less than half of the HTC Vive’s cost. The Rift comes with an Xbox One controller already.
Let’s see if HTC’s decision is final. It’s just a rumor so things can still change.
VIA: Talk Android
SOURCE: Focus Taiwan
