Pimax Adopts Software Subscription Model to Mitigate Costs Amid US-China Trade Tensions

Pimax, a VR headset manufacturer based in China, has recently addressed the ripple effects of the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, which have notably influenced their operations. This clash has particularly impacted the cost of their Crystal Super VR headset for American consumers, but the company’s introduction of a subscription-based payment model seems to be cushioning some of these financial blows.

Back in April 2024, Pimax unveiled the Crystal Super, their latest advanced VR headset. This device boasts an impressive 57 pixels per degree (PPD) with QLED displays, delivering a per-eye resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels and offering a wide 120-degree field-of-view. Although currently only available for pre-order, shipments are expected to kick off soon.

As of now, a hefty 145% tariff has been slapped on all Chinese-manufactured goods by the US. This is quite challenging for manufacturers of XR headsets, considering China’s significant role as the primary production hub. Among these brands, Shanghai-based Pimax is one of the first to officially announce adjustments in their pricing.

In a recent blog post, Pimax explained what these new tariffs mean for their US customers. The news isn’t as grim as anticipated. Orders of the Crystal Super placed by US customers before February 4, 2025, will dodge extra tariff fees, although they may experience a shipping delay of about 20 days due to consolidated shipments to US distribution centers.

For those placing orders between February 4 and April 10, there will be a $75 regional surcharge added. This addition is a step by Pimax to cover the rising logistics and shipping expenses. Starting April 10, new orders from the US will incur an increased surcharge of $95, with deliveries expected to roll out in June. In a strategic move, Pimax is also setting up an assembly plant in Delaware to assist with the final stages of production.

Interestingly, despite these changes, the base price tag of the Crystal Super hasn’t really shifted. Pimax has tweaked its pricing framework, making it a bit more complex with its new subscription software pricing. Nonetheless, this new structure is proving efficient in absorbing some tariff costs.

To break it down, the base cost of the Pimax Crystal Super is now set at $799, while an additional $885 is to be paid later through their Pimax Play with Prime service, totaling $1,684 (excluding the optional US surcharge of $95).

For international customers, the change is minimal. Previously, the headset was priced at $999, with the Prime subscription set at $696, totaling $1,695. The adjusted pricing strategy reflects the reduced initial payment.

Importantly, Pimax still offers a 14-day trial period. For customers outside the US, the reduced upfront payment could make investing in the Crystal Super more enticing, especially given the refundable aspect if returned within the trial timeframe before needing the Prime subscription to continue use.

Pimax is uniquely situated to navigate these challenges with its costly but effective subscription model, unlike other tech companies like Meta, which adopt hardware subsidies to enhance their software appeal. Interestingly, Meta has been known to adjust their headset prices, like during the COVID-19 pandemic when they temporarily increased the Quest 2’s price from $300 to $400 in 2022. We might see similar strategies from others as the landscape evolves.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor how these trade tariffs affect the XR hardware industry and provide further updates.