HTC is entering a partnership with Qualcomm in order to produce a self-contained virtual reality (VR) headset that is exclusive to the Chinese market. The headset, Vive Standalone, is pegged as a “premium” device and is capable to run apps from HTC’s Viveport platform. Powered by a Snapdragon 835 chip, the Vive Standalone is based on Qualcomm’s all-in-one reference design that includes inside-out positional tracking.

It is expected that HTC will be announcing the price, technical specs and how the headset will work in the next coming months. Although its silhouette is similar to the Vive Daydream, the Standalone is not reliant on the Google Play Store.

The Standalone headset is expected to open up a whole new market of customers who prefers to not buy PCs or install dedicated tracking setups, which is a market that is becoming very attractive to every other VR company.

Source: The Verge