Pimax Introduces Software Subscription to Offset Costs Amid US-China Trade Tensions

Pimax, a PC VR headset maker based in China, recently shared an update regarding how the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China are affecting them, especially with their Crystal Super VR headset. For customers in the US, prices are set to be slightly higher, but Pimax’s recent move towards a subscription-based payment model seems to be cushioning most of these increases.

Back in April 2024, Pimax unveiled their latest flagship model, the Crystal Super. This premium VR device boasts a base 57 PPD version with QLED panels and a resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye, complemented by a 120-degree field-of-view (FOV). While it’s still in the pre-order phase, shipping is anticipated soon.

Right now, the US has slapped a hefty 145% tariff on products manufactured in China. This creates a tough situation for XR headset creators because China plays a crucial role as the largest manufacturing hub in the world. With Pimax being headquartered in Shanghai, they are among the first to announce necessary price adjustments in response to these tariffs.

In a recent blog post, Pimax explained the situation to its US customers, and thankfully, the news isn’t as dire as some might expect. They confirmed that any US orders placed for the Crystal Super before February 4th, 2025, will avoid extra tariff charges. However, there might be a shipping delay of about 20 days due to bulk shipments heading to warehouses in the US.

For orders between February 4th and April 10th, there’s an additional $75 “Regional Surcharge.” Pimax explains that this fee helps balance the increased cost of shipping and logistics. Furthermore, any new orders in the US placed after April 10th will come with a $95 surcharge, with shipping slated for June. As part of their longer-term strategy, Pimax plans to establish a factory in Delaware for final assembly processes.

Despite these added costs, the overall price tag of the Crystal Super remains stable. Pimax has tweaked its pricing approach, making it a bit less straightforward due to the new subscription-based model, but this helps counter the tariffs effectively. Initially, the base price for the Pimax Crystal Super has been reduced to $799. The remaining $885 is then payable through their Pimax Play with Prime plan, totaling $1,684 (excluding the potential $95 US-specific charge).

Globally, the changes are mostly nominal. The Crystal Super was initially listed at $999, with an extra Prime subscription fee of $696, rounding up to $1,695. With the new pricing strategy, global customers will notice a reduction in the upfront price, reflecting in their local prices accordingly.

One key point Pimax emphasizes is the continuation of their 14-day trial period. For users outside the US, this means a lower initial cost, with refunds available for returns made before the trial ends. After that, subscribing to Prime is necessary to continue using the device.

Pimax stands in a unique position, leveraging its costly but now crucial subscription model to ease tariff impacts. This positioning isn’t an option for companies like Meta that have historically subsidized hardware to drive software sales. Although Meta hasn’t announced any price hikes, they did bump up the price of their Quest 2 headset from $300 to $400 during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, so it might be something to watch for in the future.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor how these tariffs affect XR hardware in the ongoing US-China trade scenario. Don’t forget to check back for more updates!