Somnium, a Czech startup, initially caught attention with its social VR platform known as Somnium Space. However, by late 2021, the company set its sights on something even more ambitious—introducing the Somnium VR1 headset. Teaming up with VRgineers, the creators of the high-end XTAL headsets for enterprise use, they promised a headset with impressive specifications for its time. Initially, the VR1 was conceived as a versatile device with standalone capabilities, harnessing the power of the Snapdragon XR2 chipset. But by 2022, they shifted gears, deciding to focus exclusively on crafting it as a PC VR headset.
The VR1 comes equipped with the same 2880×2880 QD-LCD with Mini-LED panels that you’ll find in the Pimax Crystal. These state-of-the-art displays boast a 20,000:1 contrast ratio through local dimming, cover 100% of the NTSC color gamut, and can operate at refresh rates of 72Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, with an “experimental” mode pushing up to 144Hz. With a brightness output of 210 nits reaching your eyes, it’s roughly twice as bright as what the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro offer.
Paired with these displays are large dual-element aspheric lenses, which Somnium claims provide a field of view of roughly 130° horizontally and 105° vertically—wider than any other VR headset on the market today. Although past models like the Pimax “5K” and “8K” offered even broader views, they are no longer produced and suffered from noticeable distortion around the edges.
With such emphasis on broadening the field of view, it’s no wonder the Somnium VR1 appears bulkier, especially when most modern headsets are trending towards sleek, pancake lens designs.
