Pimax, the Chinese company known for its PC VR headsets, has released an announcement about how the ongoing US-China trade war is influencing its business, especially regarding its Crystal Super VR headset. Some U.S. customers might notice a slight increase in price, but Pimax seems to be balancing out these extra costs with a new subscription-based payment method.
Unveiled back in April 2024, the Crystal Super is Pimax’s latest top-tier PC VR headset. It comes with a base version boasting 57 PPD with QLED panels and offers a resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye, along with a 120-degree field-of-view (FOV). Although it’s still only available for pre-order, shipping is expected to commence soon.
As it stands, the United States has imposed a hefty 145% tariff on all goods produced in China. This is a challenging situation for XR headset manufacturers, given China’s pivotal role in manufacturing. Pimax, based out of Shanghai, seems to be the first in the industry to adjust prices as a result.
In their blog post, Pimax provides clarity to its U.S. customers about these tariff effects, but the news isn’t all grim. The company explains that any Crystal Super orders made before February 4, 2025, won’t see an additional tariff charge. However, there might be a slight delivery delay—around 20 days—due to bulk shipments heading to U.S. warehouses.
For those ordering between February 4 and April 10, there will be a $75 ‘Regional Surcharge’ to partly cover the increased logistics expenses. Starting April 10, new U.S. orders will incur a $95 surcharge, with shipments anticipated to roll out in June. To further adapt, Pimax is setting up a facility in Delaware for final assembly.
Despite these changes, the overall pricing for the Crystal Super remains pretty consistent. Thanks to a revamp in their pricing structure, Pimax is managing to stabilize costs against tariffs through its subscription-based software pricing, which has become increasingly beneficial.
Now, the initial cost of the Pimax Crystal Super is pegged at $799, with the balance of $885 paid later through Pimax Play with Prime, making the total $1,684, excluding the U.S.-only $95 surcharge.
For international customers, the difference is minor. Previously priced at $999 with a Prime subscription costing $696, the total was $1,695. Now, the pricing reflects a reduced upfront payment.
Pimax also emphasizes that their 14-day trial period remains unchanged. This might make the Crystal Super more appealing to non-U.S. customers, given the lowered initial investment, which is refundable if returned within the trial period.
Interestingly, Pimax is utilizing its high-end subscription model to mitigate costs—a strategy that companies like Meta can’t easily replicate, given their focus on subsidizing hardware to make software more accessible.
While Meta hasn’t announced any new price increases, they have a history of adjusting headset prices, such as when the Quest 2 saw a price hike from $300 to $400 during the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2022. We’ll just have to stay tuned to see how things unfold.
We’ll keep a close watch on the repercussions of these trade tariffs on XR hardware and update you with any developments. Stay tuned!
