The Pimax Dream Air headset signals a fresh direction for the company, which has long been known for its bulky headsets designed to deliver an expansive field of view. This time, they’re striving to create a more compact device that doesn’t skimp on features. Among these, a standout is the pioneering headstrap that adjusts itself for a perfect fit—something unseen in the industry thus far.
Slated for a price of $1,900, the Dream Air is anticipated to hit the market by May 2025. It is set to contend in the burgeoning niche of sophisticated, compact PC VR headsets, going head-to-head with competitors like Bigscreen Beyond and the Shiftall MaganeX Superlight.
Yet, as is usual with Pimax, they haven’t held back on their ambitious claims, which sometimes divert their focus and impact timely product delivery. The Dream Air’s intriguing proposition includes an optional ‘Cobb’ compute puck, turning the headset into a standalone VR device thanks to its Snapdragon XR2 chip and battery. Moreover, there’s talk of an interchangeable SteamVR Tracking faceplate.
Continuing its habit of unveiling new gadgets before fulfilling existing promises, Pimax announced the Dream Air while its previously introduced Crystal Super headset is still pending release. Initially revealed in April 2024 with a planned Q4 2024 launch, the Crystal Super is now eyeing an arrival in Q1 2025.
The Dream Air is touted to be not only compact but packed with features that many VR enthusiasts long for. It boasts a weight of just 200 grams, eye-popping 13MP micro-OLED displays per eye at 90Hz with HDR capability, a 102° field of view, inside-out tracking, and more. It even supports motion controllers, hand-tracking, onboard audio, optional prescription lenses, and eye-tracking. Impressively, it offers automatic IPD adjustment and that first-of-its-kind automatic strap tightening.
This latest innovation in auto-tightening is noteworthy. Many users find comfort elusive, often wanting a snug fit to keep the headset stable, yet seeking a balance for comfort. The Dream Air appears to have meticulously designed this feature, with early visuals suggesting a seamless, fabric-covered mechanism that discreetly adjusts the strap.
Perfection in fit could be a game-changer, alongside its automatic IPD setting, which fine-tunes lens spacing for each user—a tricky adjustment typically handled manually.
Time will reveal whether Pimax can achieve the sleek aesthetic they promise with the Dream Air. For now, they’re showcasing an industrial design prowess previously overshadowed by their traditionally blocky headsets.
Pimax reassures that this does not mark the end of their signature large field-of-view headsets; those lines will continue. Meanwhile, they are officially taking pre-orders for the Dream Air, with devices priced at $1,900 and an expected delivery come May 2025.
