The Pimax Dream Air headset marks an intriguing shift for the company, known for its bulky designs aimed at delivering expansive fields of view. This new model seeks to balance being compact with a host of impressive features. Among these is a unique auto-tightening headstrap—a first in the VR industry.
The Dream Air carries a price tag of $1,900, with shipping slated for May 2025. It’s designed to compete in the emerging market of high-end, compact PC VR headsets, taking on contenders like Bigscreen Beyond and Shiftall MaganeX Superlight.
Nevertheless, true to Pimax’s history, the Dream Air comes with ambitious additional promises that could potentially distract from timely delivery. There’s an optional ‘Cobb’ compute puck, which transforms the headset into a standalone VR device with the help of a Snapdragon XR2 chip and battery. Not to mention, the option of a SteamVR Tracking faceplate exists as well.
However, this isn’t an isolated incident of Pimax’s reach potentially exceeding its grasp. The Dream Air announcement suggestively continues the pattern of unveiling new products without fully delivering on previous ones. For instance, the Crystal Super headset, which was introduced in April 2024 with expectations for a Q4 2024 release, has now been postponed to Q1 2025.
When it comes to specifications, the Dream Air promises to be lightweight at just 200 grams. It boasts a 13MP resolution (3,840 × 3,552) per eye on micro-OLED displays that operate at 90Hz with HDR capability. It features a 102° field-of-view, inside-out tracking, motion controllers, and hand-tracking. Audio is on-board, and there’s the option for prescription lenses and eye-tracking. The headset also includes automatic IPD adjustment alongside its novel automatic strap tightening.
The automatic strap-tightening feature stands out, tackling the common challenge of achieving a snug yet comfortable fit. Rendered images suggest an elegant design where the mechanism is concealed under fabric, creating the illusion that the headstrap merely contracts in place.
A headset that smartly adjusts tightness could be a game-changer for many users, improving comfort and stability without needing manual tweaks. Similarly, the automatic IPD adjustment alleviates the hassle of manually setting the lens distance to suit individual eye widths.
Whether Pimax can truly deliver a sleek design as promised remains to be seen, but the Dream Air certainly suggests a new creative angle for the company, moving away from its traditionally utilitarian and boxy designs.
Despite venturing into new design territory, Pimax is not abandoning its roots entirely. The company remains committed to developing larger headsets with their notable wide fields of view, while also embracing the compact headset market with the Dream Air.
Pre-orders for the Dream Air are open now at $1,900, with an anticipated release in May 2025.
