Somnium VR1 Price Increases Bring Base Model To €3000

Somnium, the Czech startup best known for its immersive social VR platform, Somnium Space, made waves in late 2021 with the announcement of its ambitious VR1 headset. Teaming up with VRgineers, the company behind the high-end XTAL enterprise headsets, Somnium initially pitched the VR1 as a hybrid device powered by a Snapdragon XR2 chipset. However, by 2022, the company shifted its focus, opting to develop the VR1 as a dedicated PC VR headset instead.

At the heart of the Somnium VR1 are its 2,880 x 2,880 QD-LCD panels with Mini-LED backlighting, the same displays found in the Pimax Crystal. These screens boast a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, thanks to local dimming, and cover 100% of the NTSC color gamut. With support for refresh rates of 72Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz—plus an experimental 144Hz mode—the VR1 offers flexibility for different VR experiences. Its brightness output of 210 nits is particularly striking, roughly double that of Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro.

The headset’s standout feature is its expansive field of view, achieved through large dual-element aspheric lenses. Somnium claims the VR1 delivers approximately 130° horizontally and 105° vertically, making it the widest field of view available in any current VR headset. While older Pimax models like the “5K” and “8K” offered even broader views, they’re no longer in production and were plagued by peripheral distortion—a challenge Somnium aims to address.

This emphasis on a wider field of view comes with a trade-off: bulk. In an era dominated by sleek, pancake-lens designs, the VR1’s larger size is a deliberate choice to prioritize immersion. Whether it’s the cutting-edge display technology or the headset’s unique design, Somnium VR1 is positioned as a compelling option for VR enthusiasts seeking a more expansive visual experience.