Somnium Space, the company from Czechia known for innovations in social platforms, has announced an increase in the prices of its high-end PC VR headset, Somnium VR1. The company insists that this decision stems from their commitment to maintaining the "highest quality standards."
Last month, the company revealed they would be consolidating their product range of the Somnium VR1. This meant reducing the previously available configuration options. Alongside this streamlining, they also shared that effective January 16, 2025, prices would rise across the remaining three variants—how much, however, was left unspecified at the time.
Now, Somnium Space has released detailed pricing updates, minus local taxes, revealing a significant jump of €500 to €700 compared to earlier prices:
| Edition | Features | Previous Price (EUR excl. taxes) | USD | New Price (EUR excl. taxes) | USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visionary Edition | VR, eye-tracking | €2,499 | ~$2,600 | €2,999 | ~$3,090 |
| Titan Edition | VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking | €2,899 | ~$3,020 | €3,399 | ~$3,500 |
| Ultimate Edition | VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, MR passthrough | €3,499 | ~$3,659 | €4,299 | ~$4,425 |
A company blog post explains the reason for this price adjustment as rising production costs, which are necessary to uphold their high production standards:
"These changes reflect the complex production processes and our unwavering commitment to delivering the best PCVR experience possible. High-quality materials, intricate designs, and rigorous quality control result in additional production costs, including the inevitable scrap of some expensive components to meet our standards. Our dedication to uncompromising quality ensures that each VR1 headset is a masterpiece, designed to exceed your expectations."
Originally, the product lineup included seven consumer variants. The Company has since opted to discontinue its Classic, Striker, Specter, and Translucent Editions—moves likely intended to cut down on manufacturing costs.
The Classic Edition, previously their most affordable option, was a no-frills VR headset lacking eye-tracking technology and was priced at €1,900 (~$1,980 USD), before taxes.
The company has also adjusted its delivery timetable for new Somnium VR1 orders, now set for March to April 2025. They aim to streamline the process further, promising a two-week delivery window by mid-2025 for Europe, the UK, and the US.
For those intrigued, they offer a deeper dive into the Somnium VR1 at their recent hands-on demonstration during July’s Somnium Connect event.
Somnium VR1 Specs
- Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD – 2,880 × 2,880 per eye
- Field of View: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical, with the ability to render up to 140° horizontally (actual FOV might vary based on individual fit).
- Refresh Rate: Options include 72 Hz, 90 Hz, upgradable to 120 and 144 Hz (experimental)
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, with open-sourced algorithms for user customization
- Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
- IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm
For a more comprehensive look at what Somnium VR1 has to offer, don’t miss out on our coverage from the annual Somnium Connect event.
