Pimax Introduces Software Subscription Model to Mitigate US-China Trade War Costs

Pimax, the renowned Chinese VR headset maker, recently addressed its user base regarding the ripple effects of the US-China trade war on their operations, notably impacting the pricing of their Crystal Super VR headset. This shift means US consumers might see a slight price bump, but Pimax’s innovative subscription model seems to be cushioning the blow for many.

Back in April 2024, Pimax unveiled the Crystal Super, a top-tier PC VR headset that boasts impressive specs, including a base 57 PPD model with QLED displays, each offering a 3,840 x 3,840 pixel resolution and a 120-degree field-of-view (FOV). Although it’s been open for pre-orders, shipping is on the horizon.

Currently, the US has imposed a daunting 145% tariff on goods coming from China. This is a significant challenge for XR headset manufacturers, given China’s dominance as a manufacturing hub. Pimax, headquartered in Shanghai, is among the first to adjust its pricing strategies as a result.

In a detailed blog post, Pimax sheds light on how these new tariffs affect their US customers. Surprisingly, the news isn’t all doom and gloom. US buyers who place an order for the Crystal Super before February 4, 2025, won’t have to shoulder the additional tariff costs, though they may experience a shipping delay of approximately 20 days due to bulk deliveries to US warehouses.

For orders made between February 4 and April 10, a $75 ‘Regional Surcharge’ will apply. Pimax explains that this partially balances the increase in logistic and shipping costs. Looking ahead to April 10, new US orders will face a $95 surcharge, with shipments expected to roll out by June. Notably, Pimax is setting up a facility in Delaware for final assembly to mitigate these challenges.

Despite these changes, the overall price of the Crystal Super remains largely unchanged. Pimax has revamped its pricing strategy, making it less straightforward but beneficial by incorporating a subscription-based software model to counterbalance the tariff expenses. The base price has been adjusted to $799, with an additional $885 to be paid later through their Pimax Play with Prime service, culminating in a total of $1,684, excluding the $95 surcharge specific to the US.

Globally, these adjustments translate to minor changes. Previously, the Crystal Super was priced at $999, with the Prime subscription adding $696, resulting in a total of $1,695. The updated pricing now reflects a reduced upfront cost for international customers.

Importantly, Pimax maintains its 14-day trial period, which could make the Crystal Super more enticing for non-US consumers, given the lower initial payment requirement. Customers can easily return the product before the trial period ends if they choose not to continue with the Prime service.

Pimax holds a unique advantage in stabilizing its costs thanks to their costly but now invaluable subscription model. This flexibility is not as accessible to companies like Meta, which already subsidize hardware to enhance software appeal.

Meta hasn’t announced a change in headset prices yet, though they did increase the Quest 2’s price from $300 to $400 during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. Only time will tell how they respond to these shifting economic conditions.

We’ll continue monitoring the impact of the US-China trade war on XR tech. Stay tuned for updates.