If you’re a fan of virtual reality, then you’ve probably heard of the Valve Index. The Valve Index is one of the most popular VR headsets on the market today, and for good reason.
It offers an immersive experience that’s hard to match, with high refresh rates, low latency, and a comfortable design. But as with any technology, people are always wondering what’s next. So the question on everyone’s mind is: is there a Valve Index 2 coming?
The Current State of the Valve Index
Before we dive into whether or not there will be a Valve Index 2, let’s take a quick look at where things stand with the current version. The Valve Index was released in June of 2019 to much fanfare. It offered a number of improvements over its predecessor, the HTC Vive, including better resolution and field of view.
Since its release, the Valve Index has remained one of the most popular VR headsets on the market. It’s been praised for its comfort and build quality as well as its performance.
However, it hasn’t been without its issues. Some users have reported problems with the controllers and tracking system.
What We Know So Far
So what do we know about a potential Valve Index 2? Unfortunately, not much at this point. Valve has been tight-lipped about any future releases or plans for the headset.
However, there are some clues that suggest a new version could be in development. For example, earlier this year Valve filed a patent for what appears to be a new VR headset design. The patent includes images that show off some potential features like eye-tracking and adjustable lenses.
Additionally, some leaks have suggested that Valve is working on new controllers for use with VR headsets. These controllers would apparently use finger tracking technology for more precise input.
Potential Release Date
So when can we expect a Valve Index 2 to be released? That’s anyone’s guess at this point. Valve tends to operate on its own timeline and doesn’t always follow the typical release cycles of other tech companies.
One thing we can say for certain is that if a new headset is in development, it likely won’t be released anytime soon. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruptions across the tech industry, it’s possible that any plans for a new headset have been delayed.
What We Want to See
Assuming that a Valve Index 2 is in the works, what do we want to see from it? Here are a few things that would be nice:
- Improved controllers: While the Valve Index controllers are good, there’s always room for improvement. Finger tracking technology would be a great addition.
- Better wireless support: The current Valve Index requires a tethered connection to a PC. A wireless option would make it much more convenient to use.
- Higher resolution: The current Valve Index has an impressive resolution, but there’s always room for improvement.
Conclusion
So is there a Valve Index 2 coming? At this point, we can’t say for sure.
However, there are some clues that suggest one could be in development. Regardless of whether or not a new headset is on the horizon, the current Valve Index remains one of the best VR headsets available today.