Somnium Space Announces New Pricing for VR1 Lineup, Putting Entry-level Headset North of ,000

Somnium Space Announces New Pricing for VR1 Lineup, Putting Entry-level Headset North of $3,000

January 17, 2025 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Business

Somnium Space Raises Prices on VR1 Headset, Citing Commitment to Quality

Somnium Space, the Czechia-based creator of immersive social platforms, has announced a price increase for its enthusiast-grade PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. The company attributes the decision to its dedication to maintaining the “highest quality standards” and addressing rising production costs.

The updated pricing, effective after January 16, 2025, reflects a €500 to €700 increase across the three remaining configurations of the VR1 headset. The company has streamlined its offerings, discontinuing four of its previous seven variants to focus on its most advanced models.

Here’s a breakdown of the new pricing (excluding local taxes):

  • Visionary Edition: Now priced at €2,999 (~$3,090 USD), up from €2,499, this model includes VR and eye-tracking capabilities.
  • Titan Edition: Priced at €3,399 (~$3,500 USD), up from €2,899, this version adds hand-tracking to its features.
  • Ultimate Edition: The top-tier model, now €4,299 (~$4,425 USD), up from €3,499, includes VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and mixed reality passthrough.

In a blog post, Somnium Space explained the price adjustments, stating, “These changes reflect the complex production processes and our unwavering commitment to delivering the best PCVR experience possible. High-quality materials, intricate designs, and rigorous quality control result in additional production costs, including the inevitable scrap of some expensive components to meet our standards.”

The company also announced an updated delivery timeline for new orders, with shipments now expected between March and April 2025. Somnium Space aims to reduce the delivery window to just two weeks from order to shipment by mid-2025, with shipping available across most of Europe, the UK, and the US.

The VR1 headset boasts impressive specifications, including a QLED Mini-LED Fast LCD display with 2,880 × 2,880 resolution per eye, a 130° horizontal field of view, and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz (experimental). It also features 576 local dimming zones per eye, 120 Hz eye tracking with an open-sourced algorithm, and an IPD range of 57 to 76 mm.

Somnium Space’s decision to streamline its product lineup and raise prices underscores its focus on delivering a premium VR experience. While the cost may be a barrier for some, the company’s emphasis on quality and innovation positions the VR1 as a standout option for VR enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge technology.