OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

HTC Link Review | 89 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price in UK: ~£790
  • Avg. price in US: ~$400
  • Weight: ?
  • Resolution: 1080x1200
  • Refresh rate: 90 Hz
  • Display type: LCD
  • Device type: smartphone VR

HTC Link review. Compare 89 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among vr headsets and if it is worth buying.

6.1

Overall score

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 components:

80.0%

6.1

Technical Score

20.0%

?

User score

Good
6.1

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the VR headset's technical performance, covering eight key areas: display quality, tracking, comfort, controllers, connectivity, audio, battery, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare VR headsets based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

58.0%

5.9

Display & Optics

22.0%

5.6

Tracking & Sensors

10.0%

8.2

Controls & Audio

4.0%

7.1

Hardware

3.0%

4.8

Connectivity

3.0%

6.8

Design & Power

Good
?

User score

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 components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 6.9
    Gaming

    Score components:

    40.0%

    5.5

    Refresh rate

    35.0%

    10

    Touch controllers

    25.0%

    4.7

    Resolution

  • 5.7
    Movies

    Score components:

    40.0%

    4.7

    Resolution

    35.0%

    5.2

    Display type

    25.0%

    ?

    Visible FoV (horizontal)

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    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.

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.

Technical Specifications of HTC Link

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the VR headset's technical performance, covering eight key areas: display quality, tracking, comfort, controllers, connectivity, audio, battery, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare VR headsets based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

58.0%

?

Display & Optics

22.0%

?

Tracking & Sensors

10.0%

?

Controls & Audio

4.0%

?

Hardware

3.0%

?

Connectivity

3.0%

?

Design & Power

6.1
HTC Link has a technical score of 6.12 points, which is lower than 59.2% of VR headsets.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
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.
1.0
HTC Link has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 65.3% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

6.1

Overall score

40.0%

6.3

Price

6.2
HTC Link has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.2 points, which is lower than 75.5% of products in this category.
Resolution
What it is: The total number of pixels displayed on the screen, expressed as width x height, determining sharpness.
When it matters: When you want crisp text and sharp details in photos and videos.

Importance: HIGH

1080x1200
HTC Link 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
What it is: The physical diagonal measurement of the display area, usually expressed in inches.
When it matters: When you want a larger image area that can feel more immersive in games, movies, and VR apps.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >4.41 inches

3.6 inches
Refresh rate
What it is: The number of times per second the display updates the image, measured in Hertz (Hz); higher rates offer smoother motion.
When it matters: When you want scrolling to feel fluid and games to look smoother.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >102 Hz

90 Hz
HTC Link supports a refresh rate of 90 Hz which is higher than in 23.1% of VR headsets and equal to that in 51.3% of VR headsets.
Visible FoV (horizontal)
What it is: Measures the visible horizontal field of view of the image, expressed in degrees.
When it matters: When you want a wider left-to-right view for racing, shooters, and room-scale immersion.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >105.7 °

?
Visible FoV (vertical)
What it is: Measures the visible vertical field of view of the image, expressed in degrees.
When it matters: When a taller visible image helps scenes feel less cropped above and below your view.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >97.5 °

?
Show more
Tracking type
What it is: Specifies the tracking method used for positional detection, such as inside-out or outside-in.
When it matters: When you want to know whether tracking depends on onboard cameras or external hardware.

Importance: LOW

outside-in
360° head tracking
What it is: Shows whether the headset can track head movement across a full 360-degree space.
When it matters: When you turn around often in room-scale games and do not want tracking blind spots.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
HTC Link supports full 360° head tracking. 2% of VR headsets support this tracking mode.
N. of tracking sensors
What it is: Counts the integrated sensors used for positional or motion tracking.
When it matters: When you compare how much built-in hardware the headset uses for motion tracking.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >4.2

1
N. of cameras
What it is: Counts the built-in cameras used for tracking, passthrough, or environmental sensing.
When it matters: When passthrough quality, room mapping, and inside-out tracking matter to your setup.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >4.2

0
HTC Link 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
What it is: Indicates how often the tracking system updates position data, measured in hertz.
When it matters: When you want fast motion tracking to stay stable during quick head or hand movement.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >718 Hz

?
Show more
Operating system
What it is: The primary system software that manages the headset's hardware, apps, and core functions.
When it matters: When you have a preference for the user interface and app ecosystem.

Importance: LOW

Android
OpenXR support
What it is: Indicates whether the headset supports the OpenXR standard for compatible VR software.
When it matters: When you want broader compatibility with VR apps across different software platforms.

Importance: LOW

no
HTC Link does not support OpenXR. 64.4% of VR headsets support this cross-platform VR standard.
Wireless PC streaming
What it is: Shows whether the headset can receive PC VR content over a wireless connection.
When it matters: When you want PC VR without a cable running from the headset to your computer.

Importance: LOW

no
HTC Link does not support wireless PC streaming. 36.7% of VR headsets support cable-free PC VR streaming.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: The ability of the headset to connect to a wireless network.
When it matters: When you want wireless downloads, streaming, updates, or online features without relying on a cable.

Importance: LOW

no
HTC Link does not have Wi-Fi. 38.8% of VR headsets have Wi-Fi connectivity.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Version of Wi-Fi standard supported.
When it matters: When compatibility with your router and wireless setup affects download speeds, streaming quality, or latency.

Importance: LOW

N/A
Show more
Touch controllers
What it is: Shows whether dedicated motion controllers are included for hand-based input in VR.
When it matters: When your favorite games rely on precise hand input rather than hand tracking alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
HTC Link includes touch controllers. 28.6% of VR headsets come with dedicated hand controllers.
Game controller included
What it is: Indicates whether game controllers are included in the standard package.
When it matters: When you want a complete VR package and do not want to buy controllers separately.

Importance: LOW

no
HTC Link does not include a game controller. 65.3% of VR headsets ship with controllers in the box.
Spatial audio
What it is: Supports immersive spatial audio playback.
When it matters: When movies, games, and VR experiences feel better with more immersive positional sound.

Importance: LOW

yes
HTC Link supports spatial audio. 10.6% of VR headsets support spatial audio.
N. of speakers
What it is: Counts the built-in speakers used for audio playback.
When it matters: When you plan to use the headset without separate headphones or external speakers.

Importance: LOW

0
HTC Link has 0 speakers which is fewer than in 63% of VR headsets and equal to that in 37% of VR headsets.
N. of microphones
What it is: The number of microphones built into the headset or its integrated hardware.
When it matters: When voice chat, voice commands, or in-headset recording quality matter to your setup.

Importance: LOW

?
Show more
Device type
What it is: Describes the overall headset class, such as standalone, PC VR, or mixed reality.
When it matters: When you choose between a standalone headset, a PC VR model, or mixed-reality use.

Importance: LOW

smartphone VR
Chipset
What it is: The central System-on-Chip (SoC) that houses the CPU, GPU, modem, and other core processing components.
When it matters: When you want to know the specific engine powering your device's speed and features.

Importance: LOW

N/A
CPU clock speed
What it is: Indicates the base operating frequency of the main processor, measured in gigahertz.
When it matters: When you compare standalone headset speed for games, menus, and mixed-reality apps.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >2.86 GHz

?
GPU model
What it is: The official model name of the graphics processor used in the tablet.
When it matters: When you compare graphics hardware for gaming, video editing, or benchmarks.

Importance: LOW

N/A
RAM capacity
What it is: States the installed RAM capacity used for system operation and multitasking.
When it matters: When you want smoother multitasking and better headroom for demanding VR apps.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >9.3 GB

N/A
Show more
Battery capacity
What it is: The amount of electric charge the battery can store, usually measured in mAh.
When it matters: When you want longer untethered play time without recharging the headset too often.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >4980 mAh

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full charge.
When it matters: When charging speed, charging method, or battery upkeep convenience matters to your routine.

Importance: LOW

Good value: <2.3 hours

N/A
Weight
What it is: The total weight of the headset, affecting how heavy it feels during use.
When it matters: When you want a headset that feels lighter and more comfortable during longer VR sessions.

Importance: LOW

Good value: <484.2 g

?
Headstrap type
What it is: Identifies the design of the headstrap used to secure the headset on the user's head.
When it matters: When comfort, balance, and pressure distribution matter during long VR sessions.

Importance: LOW

elastic strap
HTC Link uses a elastic strap headstrap, which is less comfortable than the design on 61.2%.
Body material
What it is: The main material used for the headset body or housing.
When it matters: When you care about how sturdy, premium, or lightweight the headset feels over time.

Importance: LOW

plastic
Show more

HTC Link vs the average VR headset

  • Compatible with Android
    HTC Link is compatible with Android, the average VR headset is not. 50% of VR headsets support Android pairing or companion apps.
    What it is: Shows whether the headset can work with Android phones or tablets for setup, companion apps, or content.
    When it matters: When you want the headset to pair cleanly with Android phones for apps or setup.

    Importance: LOW

    HTC Link is compatible with Android, the average VR headset is not. 50% of VR headsets support Android pairing or companion apps.
  • Compatible with Android
    HTC Link is compatible with Android, the average VR headset is not. 50% of VR headsets support Android pairing or companion apps.

Total
Connectivity
  • Lower screen resolution
    HTC Link has a lower screen resolution than the average VR headset (1080x1200 vs 1440x1600). The average VR headset has a screen resolution of 1440x1600.
  • 16.4% lower pixel density
    HTC Link has a lower pixel density than the average VR headset (515 ppi vs 616 ppi). The average VR headset has a pixel density of 616 ppi.
  • No see-through mode
    HTC Link does not support see-through mode, the average VR headset does. 65.3% of VR headsets offer passthrough viewing.
  • 2 fewer cameras
    HTC Link has fewer cameras than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 cameras.
  • No OpenXR support
    HTC Link does not support OpenXR, the average VR headset does. 63% of VR headsets support this cross-platform VR standard.
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    HTC Link does not include a 3.5 mm audio jack, the average VR headset does. 61.2% of VR headsets include wired audio output.
  • Fewer speakers
    HTC Link has fewer speakers than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 speakers.
  • No game controller included
    HTC Link does not include a game controller, the average VR headset does. 64% of VR headsets ship with controllers in the box.
  • Inferior headstrap type
    HTC Link uses a elastic strap headstrap, while the average VR headset uses rigid halo.
  • 62.3 mm thicker
    HTC Link is thicker than the average VR headset (167.3 mm vs 105 mm). The average VR headset has a thickness of 105 mm.
  • No see-through mode
    HTC Link does not support see-through mode, the average VR headset does. 65.3% of VR headsets offer passthrough viewing.
    What it is: Shows whether the headset can display the outside world through passthrough cameras.
    When it matters: When you switch often between VR and seeing your room, keyboard, or nearby people.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    HTC Link does not support see-through mode, the average VR headset does. 65.3% of VR headsets offer passthrough viewing.
  • Lower screen resolution
    HTC Link has a lower screen resolution than the average VR headset (1080x1200 vs 1440x1600). The average VR headset has a screen resolution of 1440x1600.
    What it is: The total number of pixels displayed on the screen, expressed as width x height, determining sharpness.
    When it matters: When you want crisp text and sharp details in photos and videos.

    Importance: HIGH

    HTC Link has a lower screen resolution than the average VR headset (1080x1200 vs 1440x1600). The average VR headset has a screen resolution of 1440x1600.1080x1200 vs 1440x1600
  • 16.4% lower pixel density
    HTC Link has a lower pixel density than the average VR headset (515 ppi vs 616 ppi). The average VR headset has a pixel density of 616 ppi.
    What it is: The concentration of pixels on the display, measured in pixels per inch (PPI), affecting image clarity.
    When it matters: When you want the image to look perfectly smooth with no visible pixels.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >852.7 ppi

    HTC Link has a lower pixel density than the average VR headset (515 ppi vs 616 ppi). The average VR headset has a pixel density of 616 ppi.515 ppi vs 616 ppi
  • 2 fewer cameras
    HTC Link has fewer cameras than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 cameras.
    What it is: Counts the built-in cameras used for tracking, passthrough, or environmental sensing.
    When it matters: When passthrough quality, room mapping, and inside-out tracking matter to your setup.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >4.2

    HTC Link has fewer cameras than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 cameras.0 vs 2
  • Fewer speakers
    HTC Link has fewer speakers than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 speakers.
    What it is: Counts the built-in speakers used for audio playback.
    When it matters: When you plan to use the headset without separate headphones or external speakers.

    Importance: LOW

    HTC Link has fewer speakers than the average VR headset (0 vs 2). The average VR headset has 2 speakers.0 vs 2
  • No OpenXR support
    HTC Link does not support OpenXR, the average VR headset does. 63% of VR headsets support this cross-platform VR standard.
    What it is: Indicates whether the headset supports the OpenXR standard for compatible VR software.
    When it matters: When you want broader compatibility with VR apps across different software platforms.

    Importance: LOW

    HTC Link does not support OpenXR, the average VR headset does. 63% of VR headsets support this cross-platform VR standard.
  • No game controller included
    HTC Link does not include a game controller, the average VR headset does. 64% of VR headsets ship with controllers in the box.
    What it is: Indicates whether game controllers are included in the standard package.
    When it matters: When you want a complete VR package and do not want to buy controllers separately.

    Importance: LOW

    HTC Link does not include a game controller, the average VR headset does. 64% of VR headsets ship with controllers in the box.
  • Inferior headstrap type
    HTC Link uses a elastic strap headstrap, while the average VR headset uses rigid halo.
    What it is: Identifies the design of the headstrap used to secure the headset on the user's head.
    When it matters: When comfort, balance, and pressure distribution matter during long VR sessions.

    Importance: LOW

    HTC Link uses a elastic strap headstrap, while the average VR headset uses rigid halo.elastic strap vs rigid halo
Total
Display & Optics
Tracking & Sensors
Connectivity
Controls & Audio
Design & Power

Graphic comparison of HTC Link and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

What customers 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 customers dislike 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

Best alternatives

meta-quest-pro
Meta Quest Pro

VR headsets

7.9
No image
HTC VIVE Pro 2

VR headsets

7.6
htc-vive
HTC VIVE

VR headsets

7.1
htc-vive-pro
HTC VIVE Pro

VR headsets

7.1
meta-quest-3
Meta Quest 3

VR headsets

8.7
pico-4-ultra
PICO 4 Ultra

VR headsets

8.2
htc-vive-cosmos
HTC VIVE Cosmos

VR headsets

6.7
valve-index
Valve Index

VR headsets

7.2
htc-vive-focus-vision
HTC VIVE Focus Vision

VR headsets

7.7
oculus-rift
Oculus Rift

VR headsets

6.4
sony-playstation-vr2
Sony PlayStation VR2

VR headsets

8.1
hp-reverb-g2
HP Reverb G2

VR headsets

6.6

Compare HTC Link with

VS
VS

Compare