Somnium Space, a company based in Prague, Czechia, has officially started rolling out its PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1, in the U.S. An exciting update from the company reveals that they’re simplifying their product lineup to just three consumer-focused versions while giving a heads-up about impending price hikes for their premium models.
Several versions that were previously offered are being phased out. Among those saying goodbye are the Striker Edition, Classic Edition, Specter Edition, and Translucent Edition. Previously, the Classic Edition served as the entry-level option priced at €1,900 (around $1,980 USD) and it notably lacked eye-tracking features. Now, the most affordable option is the Visionary Edition, which does come with eye-tracking, and it’s priced at €2,499 (approximately $2,600 USD). It’s worth noting these prices exclude local tax.
For those who have already snagged the now-discontinued models, the company reassures customers that their orders remain intact and on schedule. In a recent announcement, Somnium Space suggests that owning one of these phased-out models might make your headset a more unique piece.
The decision to streamline their offerings comes with a promise from the company: “By focusing our efforts on the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions, we’re able to deliver these headsets faster and more efficiently while maintaining top-tier quality,” they stated.
On the subject of price increases, Somnium Space is keeping new prices under wraps for now. However, they’ve communicated that the current pricing will hold until January 16th, 2025, at which point new pricing will be unveiled and implemented.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the current offerings and their prices (tax not included):
- Visionary Edition: VR with eye-tracking priced at €2,499 (about $2,600 USD)
- Titan Edition: VR featuring eye-tracking and hand-tracking at €2,899 (roughly $3,020 USD)
- Ultimate Edition: VR with eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and MR passthrough coming in at €3,499 (around $3,659 USD)
- Military Edition: ???
Somnium Space stands by its commitment to quality over cost, sharing that producing these headsets is more complex than initially expected. Hence, the upcoming price adjustments for the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions.
If you’re eyeing one of these headsets, orders placed now are anticipated to ship between February and March 2025, with availability spanning most of Europe, the UK, and the U.S.
Looking ahead, 2025 will see Somnium Space offering spare parts for the Somnium VR1. These will include various components like optical modules, mainboards, electronics, cables, and screens.
Somnium VR1 Specs
- Display: QLED Mini-LED Fast LCD with 2,880 × 2,880 pixels per eye
- Field of View: 130° horizontal and 105° vertical. Although it can render up to a 140° horizontal view, actual FOV might differ slightly based on individual facial and eye shapes.
- Refresh Rate: 72 Hz, 90 Hz, and can be upgraded to 120 and 144 Hz (experimental)
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz with an open-sourced algorithm for customization
- Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, and a 3.5mm audio jack
- IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm
For a more detailed impression of the Somnium VR1, feel free to check out our hands-on experience from July 2024.
