Somnium Space, a company based in Prague, Czech Republic, is making waves by officially launching their PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1, in the United States. They have also announced some changes to their offerings, simplifying the product line to just three consumer-focused versions and hinting at upcoming price hikes for their premium models.
The company will no longer offer several configurations of the Somnium VR1 that they previously provided. Gone from the lineup are the Striker, Classic, Specter, and Translucent Editions.
Previously, the budget-friendly option was the Classic Edition, priced at €1,900 (around $1,980 USD) and lacking eye-tracking. Now, the most affordable option is the Visionary Edition, complete with eye-tracking, priced at €2,499 (approximately $2,600 USD). It’s important to note these prices do not include local taxes.
Those who already purchased the discontinued versions have no reason to worry. Somnium Space has reassured buyers that their orders will be fulfilled as expected. The company added a silver lining, noting that owning one of these versions will make the headset more exclusive and unique.
The rationale behind discontinuing these models, according to Somnium Space, is to concentrate their resources on the quicker and more efficient delivery of the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions while maintaining their high-quality standards.
In addition, Somnium Space plans to raise the prices for the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions soon, although the exact new prices remain under wraps. Current pricing will hold until January 16th, 2025, after which the updated prices will be announced and take effect.
Here’s the current breakdown of the headset variants and their prices, excluding tax:
- Visionary Edition (VR with eye-tracking): €2,499 (~$2,600 USD)
- Titan Edition (VR with eye-tracking and hand-tracking): €2,899 (~$3,020 USD)
- Ultimate Edition (VR with eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and MR passthrough): €3,499 (~$3,659 USD)
- Military Edition’s pricing remains undisclosed
The company emphasizes that, despite efforts to keep the Somnium VR1 affordable, they refuse to sacrifice quality. The complexity of production has exceeded initial expectations, prompting the upcoming price adjustments.
For orders placed now, delivery is estimated between February and March of 2025, with shipping available to most of Europe, the UK, and the US.
Looking ahead to 2025, Somnium Space plans to offer spare parts for the Somnium VR1, including optical components, mainboards, electronics, cables, screens, and more.
Somnium VR1 Specifications
- Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD, 2,880 × 2,880 per eye
- Field of View: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical, potentially up to 140° horizontal depending on facial and eye structure
- Refresh Rate: Starts at 72 Hz, 90 Hz, with experimental upgrades to 120 and 144 Hz
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 for each eye
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, featuring an open-source algorithm available for customization
- Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, and a 3.5mm audio jack
- IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm
For an in-depth look at the Somnium VR1, you might want to check out our hands-on review from July 2024, where we delve into our experiences with the headset.
