Pimax Introduces Software Subscription to Offset US-China Trade War Costs

Pimax, the leading PC VR headset manufacturer based in China, has recently shared how the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China are beginning to affect its operations, especially with its Crystal Super VR headset. While American customers might notice a slight uptick in prices, the company’s innovative subscription-based payment model seems to be cushioning much of the impact.

Back in April 2024, Pimax introduced the Crystal Super as their next major PC VR headset. This headset boasts a 57 PPD base version equipped with stunning QLED panels, offering a remarkable resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye, along with a 120-degree field-of-view (FOV). Although it remains in the pre-order phase for now, shipments are expected to roll out soon.

Currently, a hefty 145% tariff has been slapped on all Chinese-manufactured goods by the US. This development represents a significant challenge for XR headset creators globally, given that China serves as the primary production hub for these products. Pimax is the first among these companies to openly announce adjustments in their pricing strategy due to these new tariffs.

In a candid blog post, Pimax elaborated on what American customers can expect amidst these new tariff scenarios. The news isn’t as dire as it might have initially seemed.

According to Pimax, any Crystal Super orders from the US placed before February 4, 2025, won’t incur additional tariff costs. However, buyers should anticipate a slight delivery delay of about 20 days because of bulk shipments to US warehouses.

Pimax has indicated that orders made between February 4 and April 10 will come with a $75 ‘Regional Surcharge.’ This fee is meant to help cover the increased expenses associated with shipping and logistics.

Furthermore, starting April 10, any new orders from American customers will include a $95 surcharge, with deliveries projected to commence in June. To mitigate some of these challenges, Pimax is also setting up a factory in Delaware for final assembly processes.

Despite these changes, the overall cost of the Crystal Super remains stable. Pimax has revamped its pricing strategy in response to tariff pressures. Although the new subscription-based software pricing might seem a bit complicated at first glance, it’s beneficial in covering the added costs from tariffs.

Now, the initial price of the Pimax Crystal Super is reduced to $799, with the remaining $885 payable later through Pimax Play with Prime. This totals $1,684, excluding the US-exclusive $95 surcharge.

For international customers, the changes are largely superficial. Previously, the Crystal Super was priced at $999, with the subsequent Prime subscription costing $696, culminating in a total of $1,695. The updated pricing reflects the lower upfront spending.

Interestingly, Pimax reiterates that its 14-day trial policy is still in force. This is particularly appealing to international buyers, as it minimizes the initial financial commitment and remains refundable if returned before the trial concludes—an essential point should you want to continue using it.

Pimax’s strategic advantage lies in its ability to balance costs by utilizing its premium subscription model, a benefit not shared by platform giants like Meta, who look to subsidize hardware to enhance software appeal.

While Meta has yet to announce any additional price hikes, history shows they’ve adjusted prices before, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Quest 2 saw a temporary increase from $300 to $400 back in 2022. We’ll just have to see how they navigate these waters.

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Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the ramifications of US-China trade tariffs on XR hardware. Check back for further updates.