The Pimax Dream Air headset marks a fresh direction for the company, which has typically produced headsets known for their larger, bulkier builds to accommodate their expansive field-of-view. With the Dream Air, Pimax is shifting gears, aiming for a more compact yet equally feature-rich design. Among its standout features is an innovative headstrap that automatically adjusts its tightness, a potential first in the VR industry.
Coming in at a price of $1,900, and set for release in May 2025, the Dream Air is Pimax’s entry into the burgeoning market of compact, high-end PC VR headsets. This puts it in direct competition with sleek contenders like Bigscreen Beyond and the Shiftall MaganeX Superlight.
True to form, Pimax has not skimped on ambitious claims. Alongside the Dream Air, they’re introducing an optional ‘compute puck’—nicknamed ‘Cobb’—which can transform the headset into a standalone VR device thanks to its integrated Snapdragon XR2 chip and battery. There’s also an optional SteamVR Tracking faceplate that users can opt for.
However, this announcement is part of Pimax’s tendency to unveil new products even before fulfilling previous commitments. The company’s Crystal Super headset, for instance, was originally announced in April 2024 with an expected launch in Q4 of the same year, only to be postponed to sometime in Q1 2025.
The Dream Air promises an enticing array of technical specifications and features:
– Weight: a mere 200g
– Resolution: 13MP (3,840 × 3,552) micro-OLED per eye, running at 90Hz with HDR
– Field-of-view: 102°
– Inside-out tracking
– Includes motion controllers & hand-tracking
– Built-in audio
– Optional prescription lenses available
– Eye-tracking capabilities
– Automatic IPD (Interpupillary Distance) adjustment
– Self-tightening headstrap
The automatic tightening of the headstrap could be groundbreaking. It’s a novel idea aimed at solving the common issue of achieving the right fit—a balance between snugness and stability. Images suggest a design where the mechanism is cleverly hidden beneath fabric, giving the impression that the strap subtly adjusts itself.
Proper fit is critical for comfort, and if the Dream Air can reliably fine-tune its tightness, it could be a huge advantage for users. Coupled with automatic IPD adjustment, which aligns the lenses with the user’s eyes, this headset could significantly enhance the VR experience.
While it remains to be seen if Pimax can deliver on this sleek promise, the Dream Air suggests a shift in design philosophy from their traditionally robust, boxy designs to something a bit more stylish and refined.
Interestingly, despite this new focus on compact headsets, Pimax isn’t abandoning their larger models with wide fields-of-view, continuing to develop them alongside the Dream Air.
Pre-orders are now open for the Dream Air, priced at $1,900, with anticipation building towards its May 2025 launch.
