Somnium Space, a company rooted in the heart of Czechia, has stirred the pot by upping the price tag on its high-end PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. The company claims this move is essential for upholding their “highest quality standards.”
Just last month, they streamlined their offerings by cutting down the variety of Somnium VR1 configurations. Along with this update, they announced a looming price hike set to take effect after January 16, 2025, but they kept the specifics of the increase under wraps. Now, they’ve lifted the veil on the numbers, which reveal a substantial €500 – €700 bump in the headset’s price, before taxes kick in:
| Edition | Features | Previous Price (EUR excl. taxes) | USD Equivalent | New Price (EUR excl. taxes) | USD Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visionary Edition | VR, eye-tracking | €2,499 | ~$2,600 | €2,999 | ~$3,090 |
| Titan Edition | VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking | €2,899 | ~$3,020 | €3,399 | ~$3,500 |
| Ultimate Edition | VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, MR passthrough | €3,499 | ~$3,659 | €4,299 | ~$4,425 |
In a recent blogpost, Somnium Space explained that this price adjustment stems from increased production costs. According to their statement, “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.”
Originally, the VR1 lineup boasted seven different consumer editions. However, options like the Classic Edition, Striker Edition, Specter Edition, and Translucent Edition have now been axed—likely a move to streamline production expenses.
Previously, their entry-level option, the Classic Edition, was something they marketed as a ‘barebones’ PC VR headset, missing features like eye-tracking, and priced at €1,900 (~$1,980 USD), again excluding local taxes.
To add to the changes, Somnium Space is now adjusting its delivery schedule for new Somnium VR1 orders. They’ve set the delivery expectation for March–April 2025. However, they aim to trim this timeline down to "just two weeks from order to shipment by mid-2025," covering much of Europe, the UK, and the US.
If you’re eager to dive deeper into what the Somnium VR1 has to offer, don’t miss our detailed hands-on review from the Somnium Connect event last July.
Diving into the Somnium VR1 Specs:
- Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD – 2,880 × 2,880 per eye
- Field of View: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical. Note, the VR1 can reach up to 140° horizontally, but the FOV may vary slightly based on individual face and eye shape.
- Refresh Rate: 72 Hz, 90 Hz, with experimental upgrades possible to 120 and 144 Hz
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, featuring an open-sourced algorithm for flexible use and modification
- Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
- IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm
So, if you’re considering investing in a Somnium VR1, now’s the time to gear up on all the info before these new price points kick in!
