OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using VR headsets Methodology v1.0
VR headsets Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo VR headsets Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore VR headsets Methodology v1.0

HTC Link Review | 89 Data compared

Avg. price:~£790Weight:?Resolution:1080x1200Refresh rate:90 HzDisplay type:LCDDevice type:smartphone VR

HTC Link Review: Compare 89 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the VR headsets category and whether it is worth buying.

6.0

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the VR headset's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best VR headsets on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

80%

6.0

Technical Score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 69% of vr-headsets
6.0

Technical Score

Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the VR headsets category across these key areas: Display & Optics, Tracking & Sensors, Connectivity, Controls & Audio, Hardware, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare VR headsets based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

58%

6.1

Display & Optics

22%

5.4

Tracking & Sensors

10%

8.0

Controls & Audio

4%

4.0

Hardware

3%

4.6

Connectivity

3%

6.0

Design & Power

â–¼Worse than 63% of vr-headsets
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the VR headset.
When it matters
When you want to know how a VR headset performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image

Best prices

    N/A~ £790

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of VR headset HTC Link

Technical Score
Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the VR headsets category across these key areas: Display & Optics, Tracking & Sensors, Connectivity, Controls & Audio, Hardware, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare VR headsets based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components:

58%

6.1

Display & Optics

22%

5.4

Tracking & Sensors

10%

8.0

Controls & Audio

4%

4.0

Hardware

3%

4.6

Connectivity

3%

6.0

Design & Power

6.0
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the VR headset.
When it matters
When you want to know how a VR headset performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the VR headset.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
HTC Link has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 65.3% of VR headsets.
1.0
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the VR headset's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a VR headset with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components:

60%

6.0

Overall score

40%

6.3

Price

6.1
Resolution
1080x1200
Resolution
1080x1200
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
This vr headset has a screen resolution of 1080x1200 which is lower than that of 87.2% of VR headsets and equal to that of 7.7% of VR headsets.
Screen size
3.6 inches
Refresh rate
90 Hz
Refresh rate
90 Hz
â–¼ Worse than 31% of models
Market range: <72 Hz – >120 Hz
This vr headset supports a refresh rate of 90 Hz which is higher than in 18% of VR headsets and equal to that in 51.3% of VR headsets.
Visible FoV (horizontal)
110 °
Visible FoV (horizontal)
110 °
â–² Better than 72% of models
Market range: <87 ° – >120 °
This vr headset offers a horizontal FoV of 110 ° which is wider than that of 71.7% of VR headsets and equal to that of 13% of VR headsets.
Visible FoV (vertical)
?
Show more
Tracking type
outside-in
360° head tracking
yes
360° head tracking
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This vr headset supports full 360° head tracking. 2% of VR headsets support this tracking mode.
N. of tracking sensors
1
N. of cameras
0
N. of cameras
0
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Market range: <0 – >6
This vr headset has 0 cameras which is fewer than in 64.6% of VR headsets and equal to that in 35.4% of VR headsets.
Tracking frequency
?
Show more
Operating system
Android
OpenXR support
no
OpenXR support
no
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
This vr headset does not support OpenXR. 63.3% of VR headsets support this cross-platform VR standard.
Wireless PC streaming
no
Wireless PC streaming
no
â–¼ Worse than 39% of models
This vr headset does not support wireless PC streaming. 38.8% of VR headsets support cable-free PC VR streaming.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
â–¼ Worse than 39% of models
This vr headset does not have Wi-Fi. 38.8% of VR headsets have Wi-Fi connectivity.
Uses connected smartphone hardware.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Show more
Touch controllers
yes
Touch controllers
yes
â–² Better than 29% of models
This vr headset includes touch controllers. 28.6% of VR headsets come with dedicated hand controllers.
Included in the original bundle.
Game controller included
no
Game controller included
no
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
This vr headset does not include a game controller. 65.3% of VR headsets ship with controllers in the box.
Spatial audio
yes
Spatial audio
yes
â–² Better than 11% of models
This vr headset supports spatial audio. 10.6% of VR headsets support spatial audio.
Integrated open-back speakers for 3D sound.
N. of speakers
0
N. of speakers
0
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Market range: <0 – >2
This vr headset has 0 speakers which is fewer than in 63% of VR headsets and equal to that in 37% of VR headsets.
N. of microphones
0
N. of microphones
0
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Market range: <0 – >2
This vr headset includes 0 microphones, which is fewer than 71.1% of VR headsets and equal to 28.9% of VR headsets.
Show more
Device type
smartphone VR
Chipset
N/A
CPU clock speed
N/A
GPU model
N/A
RAM capacity
N/A
Show more
Battery capacity
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Weight
?
Headstrap type
elastic strap
Headstrap type
elastic strap
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
This vr headset uses a elastic strap headstrap, which is less comfortable than the design on 61.2%.
Body material
plastic
Show more

HTC Link vs the average VR headset

246810TotalDisplay & OpticsTracking & SensorsConnectivityControls & AudioHardwareDesign & Power
  • 10 ° wider horizontal FoV
    Visible FoV (horizontal)
    110 °
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <87 ° – >120 °
    This vr headset has a higher horizontal visible FoV than the average VR headset (110 ° vs 100 °). The average VR headset offers a horizontal visible FoV of 100 °.
    110 ° vs 100 °
  • Includes remote control
    Remote control
    yes
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    This vr headset includes a remote control, the average VR headset does not.
  • 10 ° wider horizontal FoV
    Visible FoV (horizontal)
    110 °
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <87 ° – >120 °
    This vr headset has a higher horizontal visible FoV than the average VR headset (110 ° vs 100 °). The average VR headset offers a horizontal visible FoV of 100 °.
    110 ° vs 100 °
  • Includes remote control
    Remote control
    yes
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    This vr headset includes a remote control, the average VR headset does not.
  • Basic display type
    Display type
    LCD
    â–¼ Worse than 41% of models
    This vr headset uses LCD for display type, while the average VR headset uses Micro-OLED.
    LCD vs Micro-OLED
  • Lower screen resolution
    Resolution
    1080x1200
    â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
    This vr headset has a lower screen resolution than the average VR headset (1080x1200 vs 1830x1464). The average VR headset has a screen resolution of 1830x1464.
    1080x1200 vs 1830x1464
  • 16.3% lower pixel density
    Pixel density
    515 ppi
    â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
    Market range: <456 ppi – >1.2k ppi
    This vr headset has a lower pixel density than the average VR headset (515 ppi vs 615.5 ppi). The average VR headset has a pixel density of 615.5 ppi.
    515 ppi vs 615.5 ppi
  • Fewer microphones
    N. of microphones
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
    Market range: <0 – >2
    This vr headset includes fewer microphones than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset includes 2 microphones.
    0 vs 2
  • 2 fewer cameras
    N. of cameras
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <0 – >6
    This vr headset has fewer cameras than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 cameras.
    0 vs 2
  • Fewer speakers
    N. of speakers
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    Market range: <0 – >2
    This vr headset has fewer speakers than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 speakers.
    0 vs 2
  • No OpenXR support
    OpenXR support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This vr headset does not support OpenXR, the average VR headset does. 62% of VR headsets support this cross-platform VR standard.
  • No game controller included
    Game controller included
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This vr headset does not include a game controller, the average VR headset does. 64% of VR headsets ship with controllers in the box.
  • Basic display type
    Display type
    LCD
    â–¼ Worse than 41% of models
    This vr headset uses LCD for display type, while the average VR headset uses Micro-OLED.
    LCD vs Micro-OLED
  • Lower screen resolution
    Resolution
    1080x1200
    â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
    This vr headset has a lower screen resolution than the average VR headset (1080x1200 vs 1830x1464). The average VR headset has a screen resolution of 1830x1464.
    1080x1200 vs 1830x1464
  • 16.3% lower pixel density
    Pixel density
    515 ppi
    â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
    Market range: <456 ppi – >1.2k ppi
    This vr headset has a lower pixel density than the average VR headset (515 ppi vs 615.5 ppi). The average VR headset has a pixel density of 615.5 ppi.
    515 ppi vs 615.5 ppi
  • 2 fewer cameras
    N. of cameras
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <0 – >6
    This vr headset has fewer cameras than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 cameras.
    0 vs 2
  • No OpenXR support
    OpenXR support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This vr headset does not support OpenXR, the average VR headset does. 62% of VR headsets support this cross-platform VR standard.
  • Older USB version
    USB version
    USB 3.0
    Category Benchmark
    This vr headset supports an older USB version than the average VR headset (USB 3 vs USB 3.2 Gen 1). The average VR headset uses USB version USB 3.2 Gen 1.
    USB 3.0 vs USB 3.2 Gen 1
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    3.5 mm audio jack
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This vr headset does not include a 3.5 mm audio jack, the average VR headset does. 60% of VR headsets include wired audio output.
    Audio relies on the connected phone.
  • Fewer microphones
    N. of microphones
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
    Market range: <0 – >2
    This vr headset includes fewer microphones than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset includes 2 microphones.
    0 vs 2
  • Fewer speakers
    N. of speakers
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    Market range: <0 – >2
    This vr headset has fewer speakers than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 speakers.
    0 vs 2
  • No game controller included
    Game controller included
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This vr headset does not include a game controller, the average VR headset does. 64% of VR headsets ship with controllers in the box.
  • Inferior headstrap type
    Headstrap type
    elastic strap
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This vr headset uses a elastic strap headstrap, while the average VR headset uses rigid halo.
    elastic strap vs rigid halo
  • 62.3 mm thicker
    Thickness
    167.3 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    Market range: <60 mm – >167.3 mm
    This vr headset is thicker than the average VR headset (167.3 mm vs 105 mm). The average VR headset has a thickness of 105 mm.
    167.3 mm vs 105 mm

Third-party reviews

What we like about HTC Link

  • Dedicated dual 3.6-inch displays (1080 x 1200 per eye) rather than using the phone's screen, ensuring a high 90Hz refresh rate
  • 6 Degrees-of-Freedom (6DoF) tracking for both the headset and controllers, which was rare for mobile VR at its launch
  • Lightweight and relatively comfortable design at approximately 554 grams
  • Smooth performance with a 110-degree field of view, comparable to high-end tethered headsets of its era
  • USB-C connectivity for a reliable wired link to the smartphone

What we don't like about HTC Link

  • Very limited availability as it was exclusively released for the Japanese market
  • Lack of adjustable IPD (interpupillary distance), which can lead to eye strain or a blurry image for some users
  • External camera requirement adds setup complexity compared to modern inside-out tracking headsets
  • Not part of the main 'Vive' ecosystem, leading to less long-term software support and brand recognition

Verdict

The HTC Link is a specialized smartphone-based VR headset released in 2017 primarily for the Japanese market, specifically designed to pair with the HTC U11 via USB-C. Unlike typical mobile VR shells, it features its own dual 3.6-inch AMOLED displays providing a combined resolution of 2160 x 1200 pixels at a 90Hz refresh rate and a 110-degree field of view. Its standout characteristic is being the first mobile-driven headset to offer six degrees of freedom (6DOF) tracking for both the head and included motion controllers, achieved through an external stereoscopic camera similar to the PSVR system. Main pros include its lightweight 554g build, dedicated high-quality screens that offload the phone's display, and full positional tracking usually reserved for PC-bound systems. However, its significant cons include a strict lack of compatibility with devices other than the U11, the requirement of an external camera and cable tether to the phone, and no adjustable IPD for lens alignment.

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