Pimax Adopts Software Subscription Model to Mitigate US-China Trade War Impacts

Pimax, a Chinese company known for its PC VR headsets, has recently addressed how the US–China trade tensions are affecting their operations, especially regarding their Crystal Super VR headset. This new situation means those in the US will see a slight increase in price, but the company’s recent shift to a subscription-based model appears to be cushioning some of the financial blow.

The Crystal Super, which Pimax unveiled in April 2024, is set to become the next standout in their lineup of PC VR headsets. It boasts an impressive 57 PPD with QLED panels, achieving a resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye and offering a 120-degree field of view. Although it’s only available for pre-order now, shipments are on the horizon.

The US has recently imposed a hefty 145% tariff on goods made in China, which isn’t great news for XR headset manufacturers who rely on China for production. Based in Shanghai, Pimax is among the first to announce price adjustments to cope with these changes.

According to a detailed update from Pimax, US-based customers who placed their orders for the Crystal Super before February 4, 2025, won’t see these tariff costs added to their bill, although they might face a 20-day delay due to batch shipments to US warehouses.

For orders made between February 4 and April 10, a $75 ‘Regional Surcharge’ will be applied, which Pimax states helps to cover additional shipping and logistics expenses. From April 10 onward, new US orders will include a $95 surcharge, with deliveries anticipated to start in June. To manage these changes, Pimax is also setting up a facility in Delaware for final assembly processes.

It’s important to note that the overall cost of the Crystal Super isn’t dramatically shifting. While Pimax’s pricing now includes a subscription-based software cost, this structure helps mitigate the tariff effects on their pricing. The base cost for the Crystal Super has dropped to $799, with an additional $885 paid later via their Pimax Play with Prime, bringing the total to $1,684, without counting the $95 surcharge exclusive to US customers.

Globally, the revised pricing is mostly a minor tweak. Previously, the headset was tagged at $999 with a Prime subscription of $696, totaling $1,695. The new setup sees a lower upfront payment, aiming to be more consumer-friendly.

In addition, the company is maintaining its 14-day trial offer, which could make the Crystal Super more appealing for international buyers. It requires less initial spend and remains refundable if returned within the trial period, with Prime needed for continued use.

Pimax’s strategic use of their costly, yet effective subscription model allows them to balance costs in ways firms like Meta, which already offsets hardware with software incentives, currently cannot. While Meta hasn’t disclosed any changes in pricing, it’s worth noting they’ve adjusted prices before, such as the temporary increase of the Quest 2 price during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.

Stay tuned, as we’ll continue to monitor how the ongoing US-China trade tariffs impact XR hardware. More updates will follow soon.