Pimax Introduces Software Subscription Model to Mitigate US-China Trade War Costs

Pimax, a prominent VR headset manufacturer based in China, has recently addressed the impact of the ongoing US-China trade conflict on its operations, specifically concerning the Crystal Super VR headset. For customers in the United States, prices are set to increase slightly, though Pimax’s new subscription-based payment model is helping to mitigate much of that rise.

Back in April 2024, Pimax introduced the Crystal Super as its new flagship PC VR headset. This model boasts impressive specs, including a 57 PPD base version equipped with QLED panels, delivering a resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye and a field-of-view of 120 degrees. While still in the pre-order phase, shipping for this exciting headset is anticipated shortly.

Currently, a hefty 145% tariff is being imposed by the US on goods produced in China, which spells trouble for XR headset manufacturers globally, as China remains a major production hub. Pimax, headquartered in Shanghai, is one of the first companies to address these price shifts in response to the tariffs.

In a recent blog post, Pimax detailed the repercussions for its US customer base in light of the updated tariffs. Surprisingly, the impact might not be as harsh as some feared.

According to Pimax, all US orders of the Crystal Super placed before February 4th, 2025 will remain unaffected by the additional tariff costs. However, these orders might face a slight delivery delay of approximately 20 days, necessitated by bulk shipments to US warehouses.

For orders placed between February 4th and April 10th, a $75 ‘Regional Surcharge’ will be added. This charge, as Pimax explains, is intended to partly cover the increased shipping and logistics expenses.

From April 10th onwards, new US orders will incur a $95 surcharge, with shipments anticipated to start in June. Additionally, Pimax plans to establish a factory in Delaware to take care of final assembly.

Despite these changes, the core price of the Crystal Super remains largely unaffected. Pimax has revamped its pricing strategy, and although it seems a bit more complex with the introduction of its subscription-based model, it’s actually aiding in offsetting the tariff-related costs.

The base price for the Pimax Crystal Super has been reduced to $799, with the remaining $885 payable over time via the Pimax Play with Prime subscription. This adjustment brings the total to $1,684, excluding the US-only $95 surcharge.

For customers outside the US, the price adjustment is minimal. Previously, the Crystal Super was priced at $999, with a Prime subscription costing $696, totaling $1,695. Now, the updated pricing reflects a more affordable upfront cost.

Importantly, Pimax is maintaining its 14-day trial period. This makes the Crystal Super even more appealing to non-US customers, given the reduced initial financial commitment and the flexibility of a refund if returned within the trial period and continued use of Prime is desired.

Pimax finds itself in a unique position to balance costs through its subscription model—a luxury not available to platform holders like Meta, who already subsidize hardware to boost software appeal.

While Meta hasn’t yet announced any price increases, they did raise prices in the past, such as when the COVID-19 pandemic led them to temporarily increase the price of Quest 2 from $300 to $400 in 2022. It’s a waiting game to see how they might respond now.

We’ll keep a close watch on how these US-China trade war tariffs affect the XR hardware space, so stay tuned for updates.