When Pimax unveiled its upcoming Dream Air headset, the VR community was buzzing with questions. We took these queries directly to Pimax and got an inside look at early prototypes, a comprehensive spec list, and an update on some products still in the works.
Pimax has become a notable name in the VR headset market, but not without facing regular criticism. Issues with product refinement, strategic clarity, delays, and premature announcements have all been points of contention. The introduction of the compact Dream Air headset unsurprisingly brought these concerns back into focus, and many were curious about how Pimax planned to improve this time. We went straight to the source to address these frequently asked questions. Here’s what Pimax shared, along with glimpses of the Dream Air prototypes, detailed specs, and updates on previously announced but still unreleased products.
Q: How confident is Pimax about delivering the Dream Air by May 2025?
A: We’ve internally been shaping the Crystal Super micro-OLED and Dream Air for over a year (both headsets share significant similarities). With a fully operational optical engine, we believe we have enough time to complete remaining tasks by May, parallel to the timeline of Crystal Super’s development. The Dream Air uses the same optical technology as the Crystal Super but comes in a new design. You can explore the technical similarities further [here].
Our main obstacle is securing the micro-OLED panels and possibly the ringless controllers. (It’s likely that the initial batches will come with ringed controllers like those used in Crystal/Light/Super, with an option to swap them for ringless later.) We’re confident about shipping around 200 to 300 headsets by May. This urgency is also why we announced it now.
Q: Why introduce the Dream Air right after the Super, and why start pre-orders already?
A: There are several reasons. We announced Dream Air early to avoid a scenario where, after the Super starts shipping, customers wish they’d been aware of Dream Air as an option. Already, we’re hearing this sentiment on our Discord. However, customers can still switch their pre-order from Super to Dream Air if desired. Another factor is the scarcity of micro-OLED panels, which are in high demand yet short supply. This means delivery times for our orders can be lengthy, so opening pre-orders gives us a clearer picture of demand and ensures we can place panel orders for May shipping. Orders need to be confirmed by early January as our suppliers also take breaks during the Chinese New Year.
The extended wait time for micro-OLED panels isn’t unique to us; competitors face the same challenge, and that’s why many don’t offer refundable pre-orders. Nonetheless, our pre-orders are refundable before shipping, and we offer a $1 reservation option, with a trade-in window available once the headset arrives.
Q: What would you say to those who believe Pimax should streamline its product focus?
A: Our ambition is to be a multi-SKU company, recognizing that VR headsets are diversifying rapidly. We’re committed to delivering top-tier experiences tailored to various needs, hence the Crystal and new Dream lines. Despite this variety, all our headsets boast shared core technology, spanning both software and hardware. We’ve learned from past experiences (e.g., the Portal, a non-PCVR product).
Pimax’s 9-year history in VR headset manufacturing involves two R&D offices, and we’re establishing a second assembly line to support our multi-SKU strategy. Leveraging shared technology enables us to allocate resources into tech development benefiting all models, avoiding the inefficiency of a single annual sales peak and facilitating smoother demand and supply management.
Q: Any additional headsets on the horizon for Pimax?
A: While we’ll revise some older models, there aren’t plans for devices surpassing the specs of Dream Air and Crystal Super, except for the anticipated 12K.
Q: How advanced is the Dream Air’s design? Were the announcement visuals just concepts, or is there a working prototype?
A: The internal design of the headset is set, and testing is underway with a functioning optical engine. In terms of software, everything aligns with the Crystal Super, including headset and controller SLAM tracking, eye- and hand-tracking, and settings in Pimax Play. Currently, we are developing the Dream Air’s external housing while using the Crystal Super housing for testing.
Here’s a peek at two prototypes from development:
- [Insert newer prototype image]
- [Insert older prototype image]
(As of December 31, 2024, we’ve corrected a labeling error on the prototype images above.)
Q: Will the Cobb standalone module ship in 2025?
A: We’re still finalizing features for the Cobb add-on for Dream Air, so there’s no concrete delivery timeline yet.
Q: What safeguards are in place to ensure the auto-tightening head strap is safe?
A: The strap is robust enough to support the lightweight headset but not strong enough to cause harm. It’s made from elastic rubber, employing technology similar to that in Nike’s self-lacing shoes.
Q: Are the head straps replaceable, and how?
A: Yes, the head strap can be detached at the stems.
Q: Will we see this running HorizonOS or AndroidXR in the future?
A: There are no plans for that. It operates as a PC VR headset via Pimax Play, the same as the Crystal Super’s micro-OLED optical engine, and is compatible with OpenXR/OpenVR runtime and SteamVR.
Pimax also provided a thorough specification rundown for the Dream Air headset:
Pimax Dream Air Specs
Visuals:
- Display: 2 × micro-OLED, 100% DCI-P3 colors
- Resolution per-eye: 13MP (3,840 × 3,552)
- Optics: Pancake
- Field-of-view: 102° Horizontal
- Max refresh rate: 90Hz
- Pass-through view: Black & white
- Optical adjustments: Continuous IPD (automatic), Prescription lenses (optional)
Input & Output:
- Connectors: DP 1.4 (PC) to USB-C (headset), 1 × USB-C accessory port
- Input: Dream Air controllers (rechargeable battery), Hand-tracking
- Audio: In-headstrap speakers
- Microphone: Dual-microphone
- Weight: 200g
Sensing:
- Headset-tracking: Inside-out (no external beacons), SteamVR Tracking (external beacons) [optional]
- Controller-tracking: Headset-tracked (requires headset line-of-sight)
- Eye-tracking: Yes
- Expression-tracking: No
- On-board cameras: 4 × tracking, 2 × passthrough
Price:
- MSRP: $1,900
Pimax Product Shipping Update
Q: Can you give updated shipping estimates for ongoing Pimax products?
A: The Crystal Super is set to feature at CES 2025, especially showcasing the QLED 57 PPD optical engine, scheduled for release by the end of January. The 50 PPD optical engine and micro-OLED option are also progressing, targeting March and April, respectively.
The non-local dimming version of the Crystal Light is expected around June 2025, further reducing costs. Meanwhile, the 60G Airlink for the original Crystal will be demoed at CES 2025, with an external beta test launching soon, slated for an April 2025 release.
As for the 12K, an exact release forecast is unavailable. While we initially had solutions for essential technical hurdles, some did not meet our standards. For example, the dual DP 1.4 approach and certain panel solutions need more refinement.
Got more questions for Pimax? Feel free to drop them in the comments below.
