Pimax Unveils Dream Air Prototypes and Addresses Essential Inquiries

When Pimax unveiled the upcoming Dream Air headset, it sparked a flurry of curiosity among VR enthusiasts. To address these curiosities, we reached out directly to the company and were rewarded with insights into upcoming prototypes, comprehensive specifications, and updates on Pimax’s previously unreleased products.

Pimax, a veteran in the VR headset arena, has frequently dealt with criticisms regarding product finesse, strategic direction, unmet release schedules, and announcing new projects before completing older ones. This past scrutiny returned with the announcement of their compact Dream Air headset, prompting many to wonder how Pimax intends to improve upon past issues this time. We took these common queries directly to Pimax. Here’s what they shared, including images of Dream Air prototypes, a full spec sheet, and updates on other eagerly awaited products.

Question: How sure is Pimax about delivering the Dream Air in significant numbers by May 2025?

Answer: We’ve been working on both Crystal Super and Dream Air on an internal level for over a year now, as they are mostly identical technologically. We have a functional optical engine in place and are confident the remaining time until May is sufficient to complete the project, in line with how the Crystal Super timeframe unfolded last year. The Dream Air is built on the same optical engine as the Crystal Super, incorporating its core technologies, but in a newly designed form factor. You can learn more about the shared technical components of the Dream Air and Crystal Super here. The biggest hurdle we face is the supply of micro-OLED panels and potentially the ringless controllers; however, early units might ship with ringed controllers similar to those used in Crystal/Light/Super, which can later be swapped for ringless ones. We’re planning to ship around 200 to 300 units by May, which is why this announcement had to happen now.

Question: Why was the announcement made soon after the Super, and why are pre-orders available already?

Answer: There are a few reasons for this timing. We wanted to avoid announcing Dream Air post-Super shipment, as customers might have preferred this option had they been informed earlier. We’ve observed this sentiment on platforms like Discord, yet potential buyers can still switch their pre-orders from the Super to the Dream Air if desired. Additionally, the current market for micro-OLED panels has demand vastly outstripping supply; this leads to extended delivery timelines following orders. Launching pre-orders allows us to gauge demand and secure these panels well in advance for May shipping. Orders for these need to be placed either before or early January due to supplier downtime during Chinese New Year. This scarcity isn’t exclusive to Pimax; other similar products from competitors face this, which is why they do not offer refundable pre-orders. That said, our pre-orders can be refunded before shipping, and we also offer a $1 reservation option.

Question: What would you say to those who think Pimax should streamline its product focus?

Answer: Our vision is to be a company with a diverse product lineup, as VR headsets rapidly expand and diversify. We’re dedicated to offering the ultimate experience, with products catering to different needs through our Crystal and Dream lines. Nevertheless, all our headsets integrate numerous shared technologies, both in software and hardware, with a strong emphasis on PCVR. We’ve learned from past experiences, such as with the Portal, which didn’t focus on PCVR. Pimax boasts a nine-year history in VR headset development, possesses two R&D offices, and is establishing a second assembly line to reinforce our multi-SKU strategy. Utilizing shared technology across products lets us amplify resource allocation to technological advancements that uplift all headsets. This approach prevents concentration of sales to just one part of the year and distributes orders more evenly, facilitating smoother supply and production (with our in-house factory and staff). Seasonal peaks are generally detrimental to efficiency.

Question: Are there more headsets in the pipeline from Pimax?

Answer: We’ll be refreshing some older models, but there aren’t any new headsets in development with specs surpassing the Dream Air and Crystal Super models, except for the 12K.

Question: How advanced is the Dream Air’s design? Was the design showcased just a concept, or is there a functional prototype?

Answer: The internal design of the headset is complete. We’re testing with a fully operational optical engine, and the software side is shared with the Crystal Super, including SLAM tracking for both the headset and controllers, eye tracking, hand tracking, and all adjustable settings in Pimax Play. Concerning the exterior: Currently, we’re testing using the Crystal Super housing (leveraging the micro-OLED optical engine) while we develop the external housing for Dream Air. Let’s take a peek at two prototypes crafted during development.

Newer Prototype:

Older Prototype:

Question: Will the Cobb standalone module for Dream Air be ready to ship in 2025?

Answer: We don’t have a precise ETA for Cobb as of yet. Cobb is an add-on for the Dream Air, and we are looking to incorporate additional features which weren’t disclosed during our Frontier announcement.

Question: What safety measures are in place for the auto-tightening headstrap to prevent it from becoming hazardous if it malfunctions?

Answer: The headstrap is sturdy enough to support the lightweight headset but not so strong as to cause harm. It’s constructed using elastic rubber. (This isn’t new technology; it’s comparable to what’s used in self-lacing shoes like the Nike Auto Adapt.)

Question: Are the head straps replaceable, and how is it done?

Answer: Yes, they are removable at the stems.

Question: Could this headset possibly run HorizonOS or AndroidXR in the future?

Answer: We have no plans for this. It is essentially the same as the micro-OLED optical engine in the Crystal Super, operating as a PC VR headset through Pimax Play, as well as OpenXR/OpenVR runtime and SteamVR.

Pimax also released the full specifications for the Dream Air headset:

Pimax Dream Air Specs

• Visuals:

  • Display: 2 × micro-OLED, 100% DCI-P3 colors
  • Resolution per-eye: 13MP (3,840 × 3,552)
  • Pixels per-degree: Unknown
  • Max refresh rate: 90Hz
  • Optics: Pancake
  • Field-of-view: 102° Horizontal
  • Pass-through view: Black & white
  • Optical adjustments: Continuous IPD (automatic), Prescription lenses (optional)
  • IPD adjustment range: 58–72mm

• Input & Output:

  • Connectors: DP 1.4 (PC) to USB-C (headset), 1 × USB-C accessory port
  • Input: Dream Air controllers (rechargeable battery), Hand-tracking
  • Audio: In-headstrap speakers
  • Microphone: Dual-microphone
  • Weight: 200g

• Sensing:

  • Headset-tracking: Inside-out (no external beacons), SteamVR Tracking (optional)
  • Controller-tracking: Headset-tracked (line-of-sight needed)
  • Eye-tracking: Yes
  • Expression-tracking: No
  • On-board cameras: 4 for tracking, 2 for passthrough
  • Depth-sensor: No
• Price:
  • MSRP: $1,900

Pimax Product Shipping Update

Q: What is the latest on shipping times for all unreleased Pimax products?

A: The Crystal Super is set for showcasing at CES 2025, especially with the QLED 57 PPD optical engine shipping by late January. The 50 PPD optical engine and micro-OLED optical engine are nearing readiness, with shipments in March and April, respectively. The non-local dimming version of the Crystal Light is slated for June 2025, further reducing costs. The 60G Airlink for the original Crystal will debut at CES 2025, and external beta testing is imminent with an April 2025 shipping date. As for the 12K, we can’t specify an ETA currently. When it was announced, we had solutions for each major challenge, some failed to meet our standards, including the dual DP 1.4 and a panel solution that we can’t disclose further.

Got more questions for Pimax? Leave them in the comments below!