Pimax Unveils Dream Air Prototypes and Addresses Important Inquiries

When Pimax unveiled its upcoming Dream Air headset, it certainly stirred curiosity and questions within the VR community. Determined to get answers, we reached out to Pimax directly. In return, we received insights into early prototypes, a comprehensive spec sheet, and updates on products that have been announced but not yet released.

Pimax, a veteran in the realm of VR headsets, has had its fair share of criticisms. Issues like unfinished products, strategic missteps, and delays in fulfilling older commitments have often dogged the company. Their recent announcement of the sleek Dream Air headset brought these concerns back to the forefront, prompting many to wonder if this time would be different. We gathered the most pressing questions from the community and forwarded them to Pimax. Here’s what they had to say, complete with new prototype images, detailed specifications, and status updates on previously promised products.

Q: With the Dream Air set to launch in May 2025, how confident is Pimax about meeting this timeline?

A: We’ve been working on the Dream Air and its sister model, the Crystal Super micro-OLED, for over a year. Both models share the same optical engine. Presently, we have a fully functioning optical system and believe we can complete the rest by the May deadline. The main challenge lies in sourcing micro-OLED panels and possibly transitioning from ringed to ringless controllers. We predict some early units may ship with the ringed versions but plan to offer exchanges later.

We expect to have 200 to 300 units ready by May. Announcing the headset now was strategic for several reasons, which we’ll outline later.

Q: Why such an early announcement for the Dream Air, especially so close to the Super’s launch?

A: There are multiple reasons behind this decision. Firstly, announcing the Dream Air before the Super ships helps prevent buyer’s remorse among users who might have wanted the newer model had they known about it earlier. Interestingly, we’re already allowing customers to switch their pre-orders from the Super to the Dream Air if they desire.

Another factor is the scarcity of micro-OLED panels, which is a widespread issue across the industry. Pre-orders help us gauge demand and set our supply chain in motion, especially given the long lead times during events like the Chinese New Year when manufacturers take holidays. Competitors face similar challenges and opt against refundable pre-orders but we’re keeping our process flexible, allowing for refunds before shipping and offering a $1 reservation option.

Q: Some say Pimax should narrow its focus. What’s your response to that?

A: We aim to be a multi-SKU company since the VR market is rapidly diversifying. Our goal is to deliver the best experience for varied use cases with both the Crystal and Dream lines. Despite the multiple products, they all share core technologies—both in hardware and software, with a strong emphasis on PCVR. We’re learning and streamlining our processes, as recent history like with the Portal, which wasn’t PCVR-focused, taught us valuable lessons.

Our nine years in VR development, along with two R&D facilities and an expanding in-house production line, support our multi-SKU strategy. By sharing technology across models, we can focus on universally beneficial advancements. Moreover, this approach prevents us from bottling all sales into a single peak, spreading production and demand more evenly across the year, a strategy that enhances operational efficiency.

Q: Are there more headsets in the pipeline for Pimax?

A: We’re refining some older models, but beyond the Dream Air and Crystal Super, nothing more advanced is planned except for the 12K model.

Q: What progress has been made on the Dream Air’s design? Do you have working prototypes?

A: The Dream Air’s internal components are fully designed. We’re currently testing its optical engine and integrating shared software features from the Crystal Super, including SLAM tracking and eye-tracking capabilities. While the external design is being finalized, tests are ongoing using the Crystal Super’s casing. Here are glimpses of two prototypes developed during this process (Image captions would be included as HTML allows).

Q: Is the standalone module, Cobb, expected to ship in 2025?

A: We don’t have a precise ETA for Cobb just yet. It’s an add-on for the Dream Air, and we’re exploring additional features before setting a timeline.

Q: Are there safety measures for the auto-tightening headstrap to prevent any potential harm?

A: Yes, the headstrap is designed to be secure enough to support the headset but gentle enough to avoid injury. It uses elastic rubber, similar to the technology found in Nike’s self-lacing shoes.

Q: Can users replace the head straps? If so, how?

A: Yes, the head strap is removable at its connecting stems.

Q: Could the Dream Air potentially support HorizonOS or AndroidXR in the future?

A: There are no plans for this. The headset is designed to operate with the Crystal Super’s micro-OLED engine and functions as a PCVR headset, compatible with OpenXR/OpenVR and SteamVR.

Moreover, Pimax provided a detailed rundown of the Dream Air’s specifications, making it clear what users can expect from their latest headset.

Pimax Dream Air Specifications:

Display: Two micro-OLED panels with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.
Resolution per-eye: 13MP (3,840 × 3,552).
Maximum refresh rate: 90Hz.
Optics: Pancake design with a 102° horizontal field-of-view.
Passthrough view: Black & white.
Eye-tracking: Yes, among other tracking features.
Weight: A light 200 grams.
MSRP: Set at $1,900.

Product Shipping Update:

For those eagerly awaiting other Pimax products, here are the latest shipping estimates:

• The Crystal Super’s QLED 57 PPD optical engine will debut at CES 2025 and ship by the end of January. Other engines, such as the 50 PPD optical and micro-OLED optical engines, will follow in March and April, respectively.
• A non-local dimming version of the Crystal Light is expected by June 2025, with a focus on cost reduction.
• The original Crystal’s 60G Airlink will be showcased at CES 2025, with an external beta test imminent and shipping slated for April 2025.
• As for the 12K, we’re revisiting some technical challenges; no concrete ETA for its release at this time.

If you’ve got more questions for Pimax, feel free to drop them in the comments!