Somnium Space, a company hailing from the Czech Republic and known for its social platform innovations, has recently decided to hike the prices of its top-tier PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. This decision, they say, is rooted in their commitment to upholding "the highest quality standards."
Last month, Somnium announced a strategic streamlining of the configurations available for the Somnium VR1. This was accompanied by the news that, starting January 16th, 2025, the prices of their remaining three models would see an increase, though specifics weren’t disclosed at the time.
Well, they’ve now dropped the details on the new pricing, not inclusive of local taxes: expect to pay between €500 and €700 more than before:
- Visionary Edition: Comes with VR and eye-tracking. Previously priced at €2,499 (~$2,600), it’s now €2,999 (~$3,090).
- Titan Edition: Adds hand-tracking to the mix. Previously €2,899 (~$3,020), it’s now set at €3,399 (~$3,500).
- Ultimate Edition: Includes everything from eye-tracking to MR passthrough. It jumps from €3,499 (~$3,659) to €4,299 (~$4,425).
In a blog post, the company explains that the price increase stems from the costly production processes involved:
"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. Our dedication to uncompromising quality ensures that each VR1 headset is a masterpiece, designed to exceed your expectations."
Initially, Somnium Space offered seven different versions of this headset. However, they’ve since phased out the Classic, Striker, Specter, and Translucent Editions, likely in an effort to cut down on production expenses.
Originally, the Classic Edition served as their entry-point model. This "no-frills" VR headset, devoid of eye-tracking, was priced at €1,900 (~$1,980 USD), and like the updated prices mentioned earlier, this also excluded local taxes.
The company has also updated its delivery timeline, aiming to ship new orders of the Somnium VR1 between March and April 2025. They’re ambitious in their goal to narrow this delivery window to "just two weeks from order to shipment by mid-2025," targeting most of Europe, the UK, and the US.
Curious about the Somnium VR1? Be sure to check out our hands-on experience from their Somnium Connect event held last July.
Somnium VR1 Specifications:
- Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD – 2,880 × 2,880 per-eye
- Field of View: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical, with potential to render up to 140° horizontally.
- Refresh Rate: Options for 72 Hz, 90 Hz, with experimental upgrades to 120 and 144 Hz
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, sporting an open-source algorithm
- Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
- IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm
So, if you’re in the market for a high-end VR experience and appreciate cutting-edge tech that justifies its price, the Somnium VR1 might be worth keeping on your radar!
