Somnium Launches VR1 PC Headset Shipping in the US, Plans for Upcoming Price Increase

Somnium Space, the innovative company based in Prague, Czechia, has officially rolled out its Somnium VR1 PC VR headset in the United States. Alongside this launch, they’ve announced a simplification in their product lineup, reducing the number to just three consumer-oriented versions. However, if you’re eyeing their higher-end models, it’s good to know that prices will soon be rising.

Previously, Somnium offered a variety of configurations, such as the Striker, Classic, Specter, and Translucent Editions. Now, these options are being phased out. The Classic Edition, which was their entry-level model priced at €1,900 (around $1,980 USD) and didn’t include eye-tracking, is one of the discontinued models. Replacing it as the most affordable option is the Visionary Edition, complete with eye-tracking, but now priced at €2,499 (approximately $2,600 USD). Note that local taxes aren’t part of these prices.

In a recent announcement, Somnium Space assured customers who have already placed orders for the now-discontinued models that their purchases remain secure, and those units will be delivered as expected. The company added that owning one of these discontinued headsets provides an exclusive and unique experience.

The decision to streamline the product lineup was made to enhance production efficiency and focus on the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions, promising these models will continue to meet the high-quality standards customers have come to expect.

Expect to see price increases soon for the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions, although exact new pricing hasn’t been disclosed. Current prices will hold until January 16th, 2025, at which point the new pricing structure will come into effect.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the current variants and their pricing (before tax):

– Visionary Edition (VR, eye-tracking): €2,499 (~$2,600 USD)
– Titan Edition (VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking): €2,899 (~$3,020 USD)
– Ultimate Edition (VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, MR passthrough): €3,499 (~$3,659 USD)
– Military Edition (details pending)

Somnium Space emphasizes that while they aim to keep the VR1 as budget-friendly as possible, quality is a non-negotiable factor. The headsets’ production has proven more complicated than initially thought, hence the upcoming price hikes.

For orders placed today, current delivery estimates point to a February – March 2025 timeframe, with shipping available to most of Europe, the UK, and the US. Looking ahead, Somnium Space plans to offer spare parts for the VR1, including optical modules, main boards, electronics, cables, screens, and a host of other components.

As for the Somnium VR1’s technical specifications:

– Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD, offering 2,880 × 2,880 resolution per eye
– Field of view: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical, with the potential to render up to 140° horizontally (subject to individual face and eye shapes)
– Refresh rate: 72 Hz, 90 Hz, and upgradable to 120 and 144 Hz (still experimental)
– Local dimming zones: 576 per eye
– Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, with an open-source algorithm available for customization
– Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
– IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm

If you’re eager for a deeper dive into the Somnium VR1, our hands-on review from July 2024 provides an insightful look at its capabilities and performance.