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Pimax announced Crystal Pro on October 6, 2026, positioning it as a high-end wireless PC VR headset and a competitor to Valve’s Steam Frame. The announced headset price is $1,399, but shipping dates are not yet set, and the available information does not establish how the two headsets compare in real-world use.
What Pimax announced
At its Frontier event, Pimax described Crystal Pro as a wireless PC VR headset built around a streaming system it calls Native Foveated Streaming. Pimax says the PC renders the full frame for PC VR. The headset can also connect by DisplayPort, and the company describes standalone support for some applications; standalone use is a separate mode from PC-rendered VR.
Pimax’s October 6 announcement says, “Shipping dates for Crystal Pro and the 60G AirLink kit will be announced at a later date.” Its official FAQ also describes a $1 reservation with launch discounts. A regional Pimax store listing says shipping starts in 2027, but that listing should not be treated as a worldwide shipping date.
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Pimax announced these prices in 2026. They are listed prices, not verified retail transaction prices.
#1 Best Overall
- [Steam VR Compatibility] Optimized for flight and racing sims requiring high-detail graphics.You can play all popular VR games, such as Half-Life: Alyx, Beat Saber, VR Chat.... Especially for Microsoft Flight Simulator and iRacing games and so on.
- [Ultra HD Visuals & Upscaling] 2880×2880 per-eye resolution with 35 PPD for razor-sharp details, even small in-game text. AI upscaling boosts frame rate and clarity for smoother high-FPS gameplay.
- [Immersive Field of View & Night Vision] Large FOV (close to natural human vision) enhances presence in VR. Advanced local dimming for deeper blacks and higher contrast, improving dark-scene details.
- [Lightweight Design & Refresh Rate Options] 30% lighter than Crystal with balanced weight distribution for long sessions. Choose 72Hz/90Hz/120Hz to match your GPU performance.
- [Easy Plug & Play Setup] Easy setup with inside-out(Camera) tracking or expand with Lighthouse(base station) tracking:connect to PC and follow the intuitive Pimax Play software instructions, and complete room setup in 10 minutes.
| Option | Announced price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Pro headset | $1,399 | Headset; Pimax says the standard package includes two ringed controllers, an external battery and a Wi-Fi dongle. |
| Crystal Pro and third-generation 60G AirLink bundle | $1,899 | Headset and optional 60G AirLink kit. |
| Third-generation 60G AirLink kit | $599 | Wireless link sold separately. |
The kit costs $500 less in the bundle than at its announced standalone price, based on the difference between the two listed totals. Whether that bundle is available in a buyer’s region, and when it will ship, remains to be confirmed.
Crystal Pro’s listed specifications
The figures below come from Pimax’s product page. They are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements.
Rank #2
- VISUALS: 2880 x 2880 per eye resolution and 16.6 million pixels, enjoy the pinnacle of clarity
- SCREEN TECHNOLOGY: QLED display, supporting local dimming and HDR, achieving high contrast and vivid colors
- LENS: Glass aspheric lens, providing edge-to-edge clarity and reducing distortion
- ULTRA-LOW LATENCY: Up to 120Hz, Experience minimal lag with high refresh rates, providing a fluid and responsive VR environment for immersive simulations
- COMPATIBILITY: Seamlessly integrate with your existing SteamVR setup, including compatibility with controllers like the Valve Index Knuckles or HTC VIVE
| Specification | Pimax-listed detail |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2,880 × 2,880 pixels per eye; approximately 17 million pixels overall |
| Refresh rate | 72, 90 or 120 Hz |
| Pixel density and field of view | 35 PPD; 110° horizontal field of view |
| Lenses and dimming | Glass aspheric lenses; Mini-LED local dimming with 576 zones per eye |
| Eye tracking | Eye tracking and dynamic foveated rendering |
| Standalone processor and tracking | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1; SLAM 2.0 inside-out tracking |
| PC connection | Wireless streaming or DisplayPort 1.4a |
| Battery | 16,000 mAh external battery |
| GPU guidance | RTX 2070 or above required; RTX 3080 or RTX 4070 or above recommended |
Wireless, wired and standalone use
Wireless PC VR
Pimax lists built-in Wi-Fi streaming and an included Wi-Fi adapter. The optional third-generation 60G AirLink kit is described as a 2×2 MIMO link with two room antennas. Pimax claims it can reach up to 6 Gbps and add less than 2 ms of latency; those figures have not been independently validated in the available sources. They should not be read as a measured end-to-end latency for a complete PC VR session.
Wired PC VR
Crystal Pro also supports a DisplayPort 1.4a connection, giving buyers a wired option alongside wireless streaming. Pimax has not established a comparative test showing how wired and wireless operation differ in image quality, latency or reliability.
Rank #3
- Unmatched Visual Acuity with 50 PPD: Aspherical lenses deliver 50 Pixels Per Degree, eliminating the screen-door effect for true edge-to-edge sharpness.
- QLED & Mini-LED Display: 3840x3840 per eye with Local Dimming. Combines OLED-level blacks with QLED brightness via Mini-LED technology.
- Expansive 140° Wide Field of View: Break free from tunnel vision,Ultra-wide 140° field of view expands peripheral vision, maximizing situational awareness in simulators.
- Precision Inside-Out Tracking: Flexible tracking,ensures low-latency, responsive motion capture, allowing you to jump into the action instantly.
- High Refresh Rate: Supports up to 90Hz (and beyond), ensuring buttery-smooth gameplay for fast-paced action and racing,for professionals and sim racers demanding absolute precision and immersion.
Standalone mode
Pimax lists a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 processor and says the headset can run some applications standalone. That does not mean the headset renders PC VR locally: Pimax’s description of PC VR says the PC renders the full frame, which is delivered to the headset by a wired or wireless connection.
What comes in the box—and what costs extra
According to Pimax’s official FAQ, the package includes two ringed controllers, an external battery and a Wi-Fi dongle. The 60G AirLink kit is an optional purchase, either separately or as part of the announced bundle. Pimax also describes support for Lighthouse tracking through a swappable faceplate. A mixed-reality cover with LiDAR and full-color passthrough is another described accessory. Prescription lenses are listed by Pimax as forthcoming or available; check the current regional product listing before assuming they can be ordered.
Rank #4
- Please make sure to confirm your order is purchase from an Amazon brand official store.Purchasing from unofficial sources may void warranty and compromise product authenticity.
- UNRIVALED VISUAL FIDELITY- With 3840x3840 resolution per eye and 57PPD QLED+MiniLED display enhanced,you can get unparalleled depth and contrast by local dimming,experience breathtaking clarity.
- HIGH REFRESH RATE-Delivers 106° horizontal field of view and variable refresh rates of 72Hz and 90Hz,delivering a seamless virtual reality experience for dynamic gameplay. Connect to the gaming rig,you will get buttery-smooth, immersive gameplay that elevates your entire PCVR library.
- FLEXIBLE TRACKING-Benefit from available tracker support (Lighthouse Solution Limited) and eye-tracking capabilities ensuring accurate and responsive interaction within virtual worlds.
- ADAPTIVE COMFORT-Includes automatic IPD adjustment ranging from 58 to 72mm for personalized fit.
How to assess the Steam Frame comparison
The “take on Steam Frame” framing reflects the competitive positioning of the announcement, not a demonstrated head-to-head result. The available sources do not establish which headset is clearer, faster, more comfortable, lower-latency or better value. For a meaningful comparison, buyers should look beyond headline resolution and consider:
- Total cost and availability: compare the actual configuration needed, including any wireless hardware, and confirm regional shipping dates.
- How you plan to play: Crystal Pro is positioned around PC VR streaming, offers DisplayPort, and has a separate standalone mode for some applications.
- Refresh rate and resolution: check the supported modes and independent image-quality testing rather than treating listed specifications as proof of perceived clarity.
- Tracking setup: account for Crystal Pro’s inside-out tracking and optional Lighthouse faceplate when comparing setup requirements and accessories.
- Practical performance: wait for independent latency, comfort and software-compatibility testing. Pimax’s AirLink figures are company claims, not validated comparative results.
What remains unknown
Pimax has not given a general shipping date for Crystal Pro or the 60G AirLink kit in its October 6 announcement. The regional store’s 2027 listing is more specific, but its geography matters. The available material also does not provide independent hands-on findings or validated performance tests, so buyers cannot yet use it to settle questions about comfort, real-world latency, software compatibility or comparative value.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 128GB Storage Capacity
- Top VR Experience: Oculus Quest 2 features a blazing-fast processor, top hand-tracking system, and 1832 x 1920 Pixels Per Eye high-resolution display, offering an incredibly immersive and smooth VR gaming experience.
- Anti-Slip Controller Grip Covers: grip covers are made of nice silicone material that effectively prevents sweat, dust, and scratches. Anti-slip bumps enhance the handgrip and feel.
- Adjustable Knuckle Straps: knuckle straps make it possible to relax your hands without dropping the controllers. High-quality PU material offers extra durability and velcro design makes it easy to adjust the strap length to different needs.
- WIAIM USW ACBLI USW Includes in Package: VR Headset; Two Touch Controllers; Two AA Batteries; Silicone Cover; Glasses Spacer; Charging Cable; Power Adapter.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
