Pimax unveils the world’s first retina-level VR headset

Chinese VR headset manufacturer Pimax has launched the world’s first retina-level, QLED VR headset and it will start shipping in early 2025.

‘Retina level’ refers to a display which has a resolution higher than what the human eye can distinguish. In short, this should make the new Pimax Crystal Super a game-changer in the world of VR.

The headset is priced from $1,695 and promises a gobsmacking 3840 x 3840 pixels per eye, which is a considerable improvement upon the firm’s Pimax Crystal Light, which outputs 2880 x 2880 pixels.

Featuring a 120° field of view, aspherical glass lenses, local dimming, dynamic foveated rendering, native eye-tracking and two controllers as standard, the Crystal Super is set to be the new benchmark for VR sim racing (and pretty much all other applications if it fulfils its heightened potential).

All of this extra tech is somehow packed into a chassis that’s 30% smaller than the Crystal Light’s, with swappable optical engines planned for the future. 

It really is a tech-heavy piece of kit, so best get saving up for a beast of a graphics card to make the most of your PCVR titles!

Pimax Prime

Pimax is also launching Pimax Prime, a membership service that in theory allows users to purchase its high-end VR headsets much more easily.

Crystal Light Pimax Prime membership is $599 upfront, with users then paying $11.99 per month for 24 months to secure ownership.

To secure a Crystal Super, it’s a $999 deposit and 24 monthly payments of $32.99.

A Pimax Prime membership also allows early access to new software features, invitations to members-only events and prioritised technical support. 

What are your thoughts on Pimax’s impressive new Crystal Super? Let us know in the comments below.

Pimax Crystal Super price

• The Pimax Crystal Super starts from $1695.
• Pimax also offers users 24 months to pay off their headset, with a $999 deposit plus 24 monthly payments of  $32.99. Alternatively, a one-time payment of $696 in the same period will also be valid. This is via Pimax Prime membership.

Pimax Crystal Super specifications and key points:

• QLED panels with 3840 x 3840 pixels per eye
• 120° horizontal field of view
• Glass Aspheric Lenses with 99% Light Transmission and a brightness of 280 Nits
• Local Dimming 2.0 with 1000 local dimming zones per eye that bring the contrasts & blacks close to micro-OLED levels
• Eye-tracking and inside-out tracking (but base stations will be optional)
• Controllers are included
• Pimax Play comes with lots of additional features such as Dynamic Foveated Rendering and Upscaling
• Swappable Optical Engines, including Micro-OLED and 50 PPD QLED option.

Pimax Crystal Super launch timeline

• Crystal Super (57 PPD) ships in Q1 2025.
• Additional optical engines available for pre-order in Q1 2025:
• Micro-OLED engine: $699 USD.
• 50 PPD QLED engine (135° horizontal FOV): $399 USD.

Source: Pimax