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

Pimax, a prominent VR headset manufacturer headquartered in China, has recently addressed how the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China are affecting their operations, particularly the pricing of their latest product, the Crystal Super VR headset. For customers in the US, the cost may see a slight bump, but Pimax is attempting to cushion the impact with its innovative subscription-based payment model.

Revealed as their flagship product in April 2024, the Crystal Super headset boasts some impressive specs: a 57 PPD base model equipped with QLED panels, offering a crystal-clear resolution of 3,840 x 3,840 pixels per eye and a wide 120-degree field-of-view. While it’s currently only available for pre-order, the company anticipates shipments to begin soon.

Given the recent enforcement of a hefty 145% tariff on Chinese-manufactured goods by the US, VR headset manufacturers globally now face an uphill battle, considering China’s dominance as a manufacturing hub in this sector. Pimax is one of the first in the industry to announce adjustments in pricing to adapt to these changes.

In a recent blog post, Pimax provided details on what this means for their US customer base. Surprisingly, the news isn’t entirely grim. US buyers who placed orders for the Crystal Super before February 4th, 2025, won’t face any additional tariff charges, although there might be a delay of about 20 days as shipments are consolidated for transport to US warehouses.

Orders made between February 4th and April 10th will incur a $75 surcharge, which Pimax explains is a partial offset for rising shipping and logistical expenses. Come April 10th, and all new orders from the US will be subject to a $95 surcharge, with deliveries likely kicking off in June. To mitigate these costs, Pimax is also setting up a factory in Delaware for final assembly.

Interestingly, while the headline price of the Crystal Super hasn’t drastically changed, Pimax has adjusted their pricing strategy. They’ve shifted to a subscription model that helps absorb some of the tariff costs, making the changes less painful for consumers. The initial price tag for the Crystal Super is now set at $799, with the remaining $885 covered through Pimax Play with Prime, culminating in a total cost of $1,684, excluding the US-specific surcharge of $95.

Internationally, the change is more superficial. The previous price for the Crystal Super was $999, and the Prime subscription was an additional $696, totaling $1,695. Now, local pricing reflects this slightly reduced upfront cost.

Moreover, Pimax’s 14-day trial period remains available. This policy could make the Crystal Super an even more attractive option for global customers, as it lessens the initial financial barrier, and refunds are available if the trial period rules are met.

Pimax’s strategy leverages their ready-made subscription model to buffer against these tariffs—a maneuver not as easily accessible to other tech giants like Meta, which often subsidize hardware costs to promote software ecosystems. Although Meta hasn’t announced similar price adjustments just yet, it wouldn’t be unprecedented, given they previously upped the Quest 2’s price during the pandemic from $300 to $400.

Keep an eye out as we continue to monitor how trade tensions between the US and China will shape the landscape for XR hardware. More updates will follow soon.