Somnium Space, the innovative social platform company based in Czechia, has made the strategic decision to raise the prices of its high-end PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. The company justifies this move by citing their commitment to maintaining top-notch quality standards.
In an announcement made last month, Somnium Space shared that it would streamline its VR1 offerings by reducing the number of available configurations. Along with this news, they hinted at price increases for the three remaining models, effective after January 16th, 2025, though they initially withheld specifics on the price changes.
The newly released pricing information, still exclusive of local taxes, reveals an increase ranging from €500 to €700 over former prices:
| Edition | Features | Previous Price (EUR excl. taxes) | USD | New Price (EUR excl. taxes) | USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 their blog post, Somnium Space attributes this price hike to the increased costs associated with their complicated production processes. "These changes reflect the intricate production processes and our steadfast dedication to providing the best PCVR experience possible. Using high-quality materials and maintaining thorough quality control, sometimes means we need to scrap expensive components to meet our standards. Each VR1 headset is crafted to perfection, designed to surpass your expectations," the company explained.
Previously, the Somnium VR1 was available in seven consumer variants, but the company recently discontinued several versions, including the Classic, Striker, Specter, and Translucent Editions, likely as a measure to cut production expenses. The Classic Edition, initially the entry-level model without eye-tracking, was priced at €1,900 (~$1,980 USD), similarly before taxes.
Moreover, Somnium Space has revised its delivery timeline for new orders, now targeting a delivery window in March–April 2025. They are optimistic about further reducing the shipment timeline to just two weeks by mid-2025, with shipping support covering most of Europe, the UK, and the US.
For those eager to dive deeper into what the Somnium VR1 has to offer, our comprehensive hands-on review from last July’s Somnium Connect event is a must-read.
Somnium VR1 Specs
- Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD – 2,880 × 2,880 per-eye
- Field of View: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical. Capable of rendering up to 140° horizontally, though this might vary based on individual face and eye shape.
- Refresh Rate: 72 Hz, 90 Hz, upgradeable to 120 and 144 Hz (experimental)
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, features an open-sourced algorithm adaptable for various applications
- Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
- IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm
For cutting-edge VR enthusiasts, the Somnium VR1 remains an alluring proposition, despite its steeper price tag.
