HTC Announces Surprising Metaverse-Focused Smartphone GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Phones
HTC Announces Surprising Metaverse-Focused Smartphone
The 'perfect companion' to the Vive Flow VR glasses
By Lawrence Bonk Lawrence Bonk News Reporter Florida State University Lawrence Bonk is a tech news reporter for Lifewire, specializing in gaming, AI, VR, and consumer tech, including iOS, macOS, wearables, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on June 28, 2022 11:25AM EDT Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Western Kentucky University Gulf Coast Community College Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Phones Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming When you picture the metaverse, you likely imagine an immersive VR rig straight out of Ready Player One. Not, you know, a regular smartphone. HTC, however, is looking to change that perception by launching the metaverse-focused Desire 22 Pro smartphone, as detailed in a company splash page. The phone is a follow-up to last year’s Desire 21 Pro and does indeed boast some intriguing metaverse-adjacent features. HTC First of all, the phone allows users to visit HTC's metaverse ecosystem, Viverse, without needing a VR headset. In other words, you can check in on VR communities directly from the phone's browser, though integration details are scarce. Speaking of headsets, HTC is also known for Vive VR products, which should integrate nicely with the Desire 22 Pro. As a matter of fact, the company calls the new phone the "perfect companion" to its Vive Flow VR glasses but stops short of explaining exactly what that means, as these glasses already pair with Android phones to access games and content. As for specs related to the regular universe and not the metaverse, this is a squarely mid-grade entry. The phone features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chip, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 4,520 mAh battery with reverse wireless charging, and a 6.6-inch display. The HTC Desire 22 Pro boasts a trio of cameras on the rear, with a 65-megapixel main camera leading the pack. For selfies, there’s a 32-megapixel front-facing camera. The phone launches on August 1, and the price is nice, at just $400. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How the New Meta Quest Pro VR Headset Shows the Future of the Metaverse What Is the Metaverse? Meta Quest Pro Is Here to Improve VR and Empty Your Bank Account Meta Quest Pro: Price, Release Date, Specs, and News Metaverse vs. Virtual Reality: How They Differ and What That Means for You 5G: The Latest News & Updates (October 2022) Meta/Facebook's Bet on Virtual Reality Meta (Oculus) Quest 3: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors HTC Vive Pro Headset Review: The Best Consumer VR 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a VR Headset OnePlus 10: News, Price, Release Date Estimate, Features, and Rumors HTC Vive Review: The Original Entry into Virtual Reality How to Use Parental Controls on Quest Headsets Vive Cosmos Review: A Good VR Headset with Stiff Competition What Is the Screen Door Effect? Oculus Rift Review: The Best Balanced VR Headset Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies