Somnium Space, a company based in Czechia known for creating social platforms, has recently increased the prices of its high-end PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. This move, they claim, was necessary to maintain their commitment to top-tier quality standards.
Just last month, the company shared its plans to streamline the available configurations of the Somnium VR1. With the announcement, they also revealed a looming price increase on their remaining three models starting January 16th, 2025. However, details on the exact price change weren’t disclosed at the time.
Now, they’ve released the updated price list (not including local taxes), showing a significant hike of €500 to €700 compared to the previous rates:
| Edition | Features | Previous Price | USD | New Price | 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 |
In a blog post, Somnium Space explained that the price adjustment stems from increased production costs.
"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," the company stated.
Initially, Somnium Space offered seven versions of its VR headsets, but the company has since phased out four models: Classic, Striker, Specter, and Translucent Editions—likely an effort to cut down on production expenses.
The previously entry-level Classic Edition, which lacked eye-tracking features, was priced at €1,900 (~$1,980 USD). As with the other editions, the cost didn’t include local taxes.
There’s also an update regarding delivery timelines for the Somnium VR1. The estimated delivery for new orders is now projected between March and April 2025. Somnium Space aims to shrink the order-to-shipment window to just two weeks by mid-2025, encompassing most of Europe, the UK, and the US.
For those interested in a more detailed look at the Somnium VR1, our hands-on review from the company’s Somnium Connect event last July is worth checking out.
Somnium VR1 Specs
- Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD – 2,880 × 2,880 per-eye
- Field of View: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical, can render up to 140° horizontally depending on face and eye shape
- Refresh Rate: 72 Hz, 90 Hz, upgradeable to 120 and 144 Hz (experimental)
- Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz with an open-sourced algorithm for modification
- Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
- IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm
If you’re contemplating a new VR headset and quality is your priority, the Somnium VR1 might just be worth waiting for.
