Pimax Unveils Lightweight ‘Dream Air’ VR Headset with 8K Resolution

In Virtual Reality News

December 24, 2024 – Pimax, a virtual reality (VR) hardware manufacturer and provider of ultra-wide field of view (FOV) and high-resolution consumer VR devices, has announced its latest headset with the unveiling of its new Pimax Dream Air.

Released in an keynote presentation during the company’s Pimax Frontier online event, the Pimax Dream Air is Pimax’s smallest and lightest headset yet, but still manages to pack 27 million pixels, head, hand and eye-tracking, integrated spatial audio, a Display Port connection, and a self-adjusting backstrap into the device.

As a PCVR headset, the core technology of the Pimax Dream Air is based on the micro-OLED optical engine of the company’s Crystal Super device, which was announced earlier this year. These two headsets share the same micro-OLED panels and pancake lenses, as well as other components such as the bridge chip. Furthermore, Pimax stated that software-wise, they’re nearly identical.

However, it is with the Dream Air’s new form factor that Pimax is trying to appeal to a different type of VR user, with the company noting that this latest product signals the beginning of its “small form factor era.”

Pimax Dream Air’s Key Features:

• Four integrated cameras that support six degrees of freedom (6DoF) head movement tracking.
• Integrated Eye-Tracking & Auto-IPD.
• Inside-Out Tracking powered by Pimax’s proprietary SLAM algorithm for setup without base stations.
• Ringless controllers and hand tracking that enhances the device’s usability for gaming and other VR applications, according to Pimax.
• Spatial audio and lightweight design, with the headset apparently weighing “less than half a Coca-Cola bottle.”
• Type-C DisplayPort cable that ensures uncompressed visuals with ultra-light cabling.
• Compatibility with modular accessories such as prescription lenses, as well as plans for a Lighthouse faceplate for users who prefer external tracking systems.

Pimax acknowledged the diverse needs of VR users and noted that while its other devices such as the Crystal Super are more focused on PCVR users and flight/racing simulation experiences, the Dream Air is tailored for active VR users, offering portability and a lightweight design that caters to applications such as VRChat, room-scale VR, and entertainment on the go.

Expanding VR Beyond the PC

Pimax also announced that it is developing Cobb, a standalone puck compute device powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 chip and a battery. Cobb will supposedly enable the Dream Air to operate independently for streaming movies, running light applications, or gaming.

Pimax Dream Air Pricing & Availability

Pimax Dream Air starts from USD $1,895, which includes a pair of ringless controllers. A special pre-order price of USD $1,199 is available, with two payment options for the balance:

• One-Time Payment of USD $696 (12% discount).
• Or, 24 Monthly Payments of USD $32.99 with a Pimax Prime membership.

Shipping for the Pimax Dream Air is expected to begin in May 2025, according to Pimax. 

For more information on Pimax and its selection of virtual reality headsets, please visit the company’s website.

Image / video credit: Pimax / YouTube