Somnium Space, the tech innovators based in Czechia, have decided to bump up the prices for their enthusiast-level PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. The company reassures customers that this move is essential to uphold their "highest quality standards."
In a recent update, Somnium Space revealed that they would be streamlining their VR1 headset options, a move accompanied by an upcoming price increase on the remaining three variants slated for after January 16th, 2025. They initially kept the exact price hikes under wraps but have now disclosed the new figures, showing a jump of €500 – €700:
- Visionary Edition: With VR and eye-tracking, it’s climbed from €2,499 (~$2,600) to €2,999 (~$3,090).
- Titan Edition: Featuring VR, eye and hand tracking, it now costs €3,399 (~$3,500), up from €2,899 (~$3,020).
- Ultimate Edition: Offers VR, eye, hand tracking, and MR passthrough, escalating from €3,499 (~$3,659) to €4,299 (~$4,425).
Addressing the situation on their blog, the company explains that these price adjustments stem from higher production costs. Their commitment to a top-tier PCVR experience means using premium materials and maintaining thorough quality controls, sometimes resulting in discarding expensive parts to ensure each headset meets their standards. "Each VR1 headset is crafted to be nothing short of a masterpiece," they proudly state.
Once offering seven different consumer versions, Somnium Space has now cut down its lineup, likely a strategic decision to curb production expenses. They have phased out the Classic, Striker, Specter, and Translucent Editions. The Classic Edition, previously the most affordable choice without eye-tracking, was tagged at €1,900 (around $1,980), excluding local taxes.
Alongside these changes, Somnium Space announced a revised delivery timeline for new VR1 orders, targeting a March–April 2025 window. They are also working toward reducing wait times to just two weeks by mid-2025 for customers across most of Europe, the UK, and the US.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into what Somnium VR1 has to offer, check out our in-depth review from the Somnium Connect event last July.
Somnium VR1 Specs:
- Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD, with a resolution of 2,880 × 2,880 per-eye.
- Field of View: 130° horizontally and 105° vertically. It can render up to 140° horizontally, although this might vary slightly based on an individual’s face and eye shape.
- Refresh Rate: Capable of 72 Hz and 90 Hz, with potential upgrades to 120 and 144 Hz (experimental).
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye.
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, featuring an open-sourced algorithm available for customization.
- Connectivity: Equipped with USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
- IPD Range: Adjustable from 57 to 76 mm.
Overall, Somnium Space seems focused on maintaining a high-quality user experience, even if it means raising costs and narrowing their product lineup.
