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

Pimax, the well-known VR headset manufacturer from China, recently issued a statement addressing how the ongoing US–China trade tensions have affected their operations, specifically with their Crystal Super VR headset. US customers should brace for a slight price increase due to these trade issues. However, thanks to Pimax’s recently adopted subscription-based payment plan, the additional costs are mostly being absorbed.

Back in April 2024, Pimax introduced the Crystal Super, their top-of-the-line PC VR headset. This model boasts a striking 57 PPD display with QLED panels, offering a resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye along with a 120-degree field-of-view (FOV). Although it’s currently only available for pre-order, shipments are expected to commence shortly.

A steep 145% tariff imposed by the US on all products made in China spells trouble for XR headset manufacturers everywhere since China is a major manufacturing hub for this segment. Pimax, based in Shanghai, is among the first to announce adjustments in pricing as a reaction to this challenge.

In a blog post, Pimax elaborated on the situation facing US customers concerning the new tariffs. Surprisingly, the impact might not be as severe as anticipated. The company assured that US orders for the Crystal Super made before February 4th, 2025, wouldn’t incur additional tariff costs, though they might encounter a delay of roughly 20 days due to bulk shipments to US warehouses.

For orders placed between February 4th and April 10th, a $75 ‘Regional Surcharge’ will be applied, which Pimax says helps cover the increased shipping and logistics expenses. Beyond April 10th, new US orders will face a $95 surcharge, with deliveries starting in June. Pimax is also setting up a factory in Delaware for the final assembly, aiming to streamline processes.

Despite these changes, the overall price of the Crystal Super remains unchanged. Pimax has refined its pricing structure, which, although now a bit more complex due to their subscription-based software payment model, effectively mitigates the tariff-related costs. The base price for the Crystal Super is now $799, with an additional $885 payable later through their Pimax Play with Prime service, culminating in a total of $1,684 (excluding the US-specific $95 surcharge).

For international customers, the change is mostly nominal. Previously, the Crystal Super was priced at $999 plus a Prime subscription fee of $696, amounting to $1,695. Now, the upfront cost is lower, aligned with the updated pricing strategy.

Notably, Pimax maintains the offer of a 14-day trial period. This flexibility could make the Crystal Super more appealing for non-US customers, as less upfront payment is required—refundable if returned within the trial period. The Prime subscription remains necessary to continue using the headset.

Pimax’s subscription strategy places them in a distinctive position to offset costs, unlike other companies like Meta, which regularly subsidize hardware to boost software sales. Although Meta has not introduced any price increases recently, history shows they’ve done so before, such as elevating the Quest 2’s price from $300 to $400 during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. We’ll need to keep an eye on future developments in this space.

Stay tuned as we continue monitoring the impact of US-China trade tariffs on XR hardware. Keep checking back for the latest updates.