When Pimax introduced the upcoming Dream Air headset, it sparked curiosity within the VR community, prompting a slew of questions. We went straight to the source to get answers, taking a firsthand look at their early prototypes, detailed specifications, and updates on products yet to hit the market.
Pimax has earned a reputation by consistently delivering VR headsets, but not without facing criticism for issues like product refinement, strategic drift, and frequently delayed launches. With the recent announcement of the compact Dream Air headset, these criticisms have resurfaced. Many are questioning Pimax’s strategy and delivery capabilities with this new release. We reached out to Pimax to address these concerns and gathered some insights, including prototype images, a complete spec rundown, and updates on previously announced but unreleased products.
Q: Can Pimax assure us that Dream Air will be ready for a significant launch by May 2025?
A: Internally, we’ve been working on the Crystal Super micro-OLED and Dream Air for over a year; they’re essentially the same headset. We have a functioning optical engine and believe the remaining time until May is sufficient for completion, mirroring the Crystal Super’s development timeline. The Dream Air adopts the same optical engine as the Crystal Super but in a refreshed design. More on the technical similarities between Dream Air and Crystal Super micro-OLED can be found here.
The primary hurdle is sourcing micro-OLED panels and potentially the ringless controllers. Initial headset batches might come with ringed controllers—like those on the Crystal/Light/Super—that can be swapped for ringless ones later. We anticipate shipping about 200 to 300 units in May, hence the early announcement.
Q: Why announce the headset so soon after the Super? What’s with the pre-orders already open?
A: There are several motivations for the timing. We wanted the Dream Air ready before the Super commences shipping to avoid users regretting their orders without knowledge of this alternative. This sentiment is already visible on our Discord, but customers can still switch their pre-orders from the Super to the Dream Air if they choose.
The scarcity of micro-OLED panels also plays a role. With demand outstripping supply, extended delivery times become a reality. Opening pre-orders helps us gauge demand and place panel orders promptly for a May shipping deadline, needing submission before or around early January considering Chinese New Year holidays.
This delay in micro-OLED panel availability is a challenge not unique to Pimax, reflected similarly in competitor products, typically accompanied by non-refundable pre-orders. Nonetheless, our pre-orders are refundable before shipment, and users have a trade-in window when the headset is delivered, plus a $1 reservation option.
Q: How does Pimax respond to those suggesting the company should focus on fewer products?
A: Our ambition is steadfast in maintaining a multi-SKU approach, reflecting VR headset diversification. Our objective remains delivering premier experiences, covering various use cases with both the Crystal and the new Dream lines.
Despite this variety, our headsets share significant core technology—from software to hardware—centered primarily on PCVR, with lessons learned from earlier products like Portal, which wasn’t PCVR. With nine years in VR headset manufacturing, two R&D offices, and an additional assembly line in the works, our multi-SKU strategy stands strong.
This shared technology focus allows resource optimization across our product range while balancing yearly sales, smoothing supply and production dynamics, and enhancing efficiency as we manage our proprietary factory.
Q: Any new headsets on the horizon from Pimax?
A: We’ll be updating some older models, but don’t expect anything beyond the Dream Air and Crystal Super in terms of specifications, apart from the 12K.
Q: How finalized is the Dream Air’s design? Were the renders genuine designs or just concepts? Is there a working prototype?
A: The headset’s internals are complete, leveraging a fully functional optical engine with shared software components from the Crystal Super, including SLAM tracking, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, and various settings in Pimax Play.
Externally, we’re trialing and advancing the design within the Crystal Super housing while developing the Dream Air’s exterior shell. Here’s a look at two prototypes from our development stages—recent and earlier versions.
Images show: Newer and Older Dream Air prototypes, courtesy of Pimax.
Q: Is the Cobb standalone module for Dream Air set to release in 2025?
A: There’s no definite ETA on Cobb yet, as it’s an optional add-on with potential feature enhancements not previously communicated.
Q: How safe is the auto-tightening headstrap in the event of a malfunction?
A: The design prioritizes safety, strong enough to support the lightweight headset yet not powerful enough to cause harm. Constructed with elastic rubber, this technology mirrors self-lacing shoes like the Nike Auto Adapt.
Q: Are the head straps replaceable? How does one do that?
A: Yes, the head strap can be detached at the stems for replacement.
Q: Might we see support for HorizonOS or AndroidXR in the future?
For now, there are no plans for that. The headset runs with Pimax Play as a PC VR headset, compatible with OpenXR/OpenVR runtime and SteamVR, mirroring the micro-OLED optical engine setup of the Crystal Super.
Pimax Dream Air Specifications
- Display: 2 × micro-OLED, offering a 100% DCI-P3 color spectrum
- Resolution per-eye: 13MP (3,840 × 3,552)
- Max refresh rate: 90Hz
- Optics and Field-of-view: Pancake optics with a 102° horizontal field-of-view
- Pass-through view: Black & white
- Optical adjustments: Continuous IPD (automatic), optional prescription lenses
- Weight: 200g
Input & Output
- Connectors: DP 1.4 (PC) to USB-C (headset), 1 × USB-C accessory port
- Input: Dream Air controllers with rechargeable batteries, hand-tracking capabilities
- Audio & Microphone: Speakers in head-strap, dual microphones
Sensing
- Headset & Controller Tracking: Inside-out tracking, optional SteamVR Tracking
- Eye-tracking: Yes
- Cameras: 4 for tracking, 2 for pass-through
- Depth-sensor: None
Price
- MSRP: $1,900
Pimax Product Shipping Update
Q: What are the latest estimated shipping times for pending Pimax products?
A: The Crystal Super will be showcased at CES 2025, with the QLED 57 PPD optical engine delivering by late January. The 50 PPD and micro-OLED optical engines are nearing readiness, set for March and April deliveries.
The non-local dimming Crystal Light is planned for a June 2025 release, offering a more economical option. The 60G Airlink for the original Crystal will also debut at CES 2025, with its external beta test commencing imminently, aiming for an April 2025 release.
Regarding the 12K, exact timelines remain uncertain. Initial plans addressed key technical hitches, but quality assurance demands were unmet, impacting solutions like the dual DP 1.4 arrangement.
Got more questions for Pimax? Feel free to leave them in the comments below.
