A few years back, Somnium, a tech startup from the Czech Republic, was mainly recognized for its interactive virtual reality environment, Somnium Space. However, towards the end of 2021, they stepped into the hardware realm by unveiling the Somnium VR1 headset, boasting impressive specifications for its time. They joined forces with VRgineers, a company famous for its high-end XTAL headsets targeting enterprise users. Initially, Somnium VR1 was designed to be a hybrid device, capable of standalone operation thanks to its Snapdragon XR2 chip. However, this plan was shelved in 2022, and the focus shifted entirely to developing a headset designed exclusively for PC VR experiences.
The VR1 features the same 2880×2880 QD-LCD panels with Mini-LED technology found in the Pimax Crystal. These displays offer a 20000:1 contrast ratio, full coverage of the NTSC color gamut, and support multiple refresh rates, including 72Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, with an experimental option for 144Hz. Brightness peaks at 210 nits, which is roughly double that of the Meta Quest 3 and the Apple Vision Pro, giving users a more vivid visual experience.
Coupled with these screens are large dual-element aspheric lenses, which Somnium claims provide an impressive field of view—approximately 130 degrees horizontally and 105 degrees vertically. This wide field of view currently surpasses any other VR headset available in the market. While Pimax’s “5K” and “8K” models once offered a similar or greater width, they are now out of production and were known for significant peripheral distortion.
The emphasis on a broader field of view is also why the Somnium VR1 retains a bulky design, especially at a time when more compact pancake lens headsets are becoming the norm. It’s a trade-off, prioritizing a richer visual immersion over a sleeker profile.
