Somnium VR1
The Somnium VR1 is a high-end modular PC VR head-mounted display developed by Somnium Space in partnership with VRgineers, released in 2024. The headset features the widest undistorted field of view of any consumer headset at 125° horizontal, along with a fully modular design that allows users to customize and upgrade components. It is available in multiple editions with optional eye tracking, hand tracking, and mixed reality passthrough capabilities.
| Somnium VR1 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR |
| Developer | Somnium Space |
| Manufacturer | VRgineers |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Price | €1,900 - €3,500 (depending on edition) |
| Website | https://store.somniumspace.com/products/vr1-full-bad-boy-edition-hand-tracking-eye-tracking-mixed-reality |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | 2× QLED Mini-LED Fast LCD |
| Resolution | 2880×2880 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz (upgradeable to 120 Hz, 144 Hz) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 125° horizontal × 100° vertical |
| Horizontal FoV | 125° |
| Vertical FoV | 100° |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Dual-lens aspheric module (2 lenses per eye-box) |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Hardware adjustable |
| Passthrough | Optional (2× 4056×3040 cameras, €3,500 edition) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | Outside-in 6DoF (SteamVR) |
| Eye Tracking | Optional (120 Hz, €2,500+ editions) |
| Hand Tracking | Optional (Ultraleap, Striker Edition) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | None (bring your own headphones) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort, USB-C (3× 10 Gbit ports) |
| Device | |
| Weight | 700-850g (depending on configuration) |
| Color | Black |
History and Development
The Somnium VR1 was developed by Somnium Space, the company behind the Somnium Space social VR metaverse platform. The headset was designed in partnership with VRgineers, a company known for their XTAL line of enterprise VR headsets. Development updates were shared throughout 2023 and 2024, with the final product releasing in 2024.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
The Somnium VR1 uses QLED Mini-LED Fast LCD panels with 2880×2880 resolution per eye. Key display features include:
- 210 nits brightness
- 20,000:1 contrast ratio with HDR local dimming
- Base 90 Hz refresh rate, upgradeable to 120 Hz and 144 Hz
- Mini-LED backlight for improved contrast
Note: Despite some marketing confusion, the VR1 uses LCD panels with Mini-LED backlighting, not OLED panels.[2]
Optics and Field of View
The VR1's most distinctive feature is its optical system, using a unique dual-lens aspheric module with two lenses per eye-box. This design delivers:
- 125° horizontal field of view
- 100° vertical field of view
- Widest undistorted FOV of any consumer headset
- Noticeably wider than Meta Quest 3 and Valve Index[3]
However, some reviewers noted lens-related issues with the optical design that may affect image quality in certain scenarios.[4]
Modular Design
The Somnium VR1 is designed to be fully modular and customizable:
- Assembled without glue (except lenses) for full user serviceability
- Can be opened and modified by expert users
- 4 modular anchor points with 3D-printable attachments
- 3× 10 Gbit USB-C ports for accessories and expansion
- Secured by imbus flat head screws for easy disassembly[5]
Optional Features
Depending on the edition purchased, the VR1 can include:
- Eye Tracking: 120 Hz open-source eye tracking with single-point calibration
- Hand Tracking: Ultraleap integration (Striker Edition)
- Mixed Reality Passthrough: Dual 4056×3040 cameras (Ultimate Edition)
Editions and Pricing
The Somnium VR1 is available in multiple configurations:
| Edition | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Edition | Base PCVR headset | €1,900 |
| Striker Edition | + Ultraleap hand tracking | TBD |
| Visionary Edition | + Eye tracking | €2,500 |
| Ultimate Edition | + Eye tracking + passthrough | €3,500 |
Note: Prices do not include required SteamVR tracking base stations.[6]
Reception
Praise:
- Widest undistorted field of view in consumer VR
- Fully modular and user-serviceable design
- High refresh rate options (up to 144 Hz)
- Open-source eye tracking system
- High-resolution passthrough option
Criticism:
- No integrated audio (headphones required)
- Bulky design (700-850g)
- High price, especially for full-featured editions
- Requires external SteamVR base stations
- Some lens-related visual artifacts reported
"Enthusiast Level PC VR at a Difficult Price Point" - Road to VR[5]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Somnium VR1 headset Development Update". Somnium Space. https://somniumspace.medium.com/somnium-vr1-headset-development-update-️optics-️production-design-materials-fov-4dedf0b80101.
- ↑ "Somnium VR1: Full Specification". VRcompare. https://vr-compare.com/headset/somniumvr1.
- ↑ "Somnium VR1 Review: Next-Generation PC VR & MR". XR Today. https://www.xrtoday.com/reviews/somnium-vr1-review-next-generation-pc-vr-mr/.
- ↑ "Somnium VR1: Impressive FOV With An Odd Lens Issue". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/somnium-vr1-first-impressions/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Somnium VR1 Hands-on: Enthusiast Level PC VR at a Difficult Price Point". Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/somnium-vr1-hands-on/.
- ↑ "Somnium VR1 hands-on: a high-res headset for simulators". The Ghost Howls. https://skarredghost.com/2024/07/18/somnium-vr1-hands-on-impressions/.