Pimax Crystal

Pimax Crystal
Basic Info
VR/AR	Virtual Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	Hybrid VR (PC VR + Standalone)
Platform	SteamVR, Pimax Experience
Creator	Pimax
Developer	Pimax
Manufacturer	Pimax
Announcement Date	May 31, 2022
Release Date	May 2023
Price	$1,599 (launch MSRP)
Website	https://pimax.com/pages/crystal
Versions	Pimax Crystal (QLED), Pimax Crystal Light, Pimax Crystal Super
Requires	High-end gaming PC (PC VR mode), standalone capable
Predecessor	Pimax 8K X
Successor	Pimax Crystal Super
System
Operating System	Pimax OS (Android-based), Windows (PC VR)
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 + PC VR engine
CPU	Snapdragon XR2 (standalone), PC CPU (tethered)
GPU	Adreno 650 (standalone), PC GPU (tethered)
Storage
Storage	256GB
Memory	8GB LPDDR5
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Dual QLED
Subpixel Layout	RGB stripe
Peak Brightness	Not specified
Resolution	2880 × 2880 per eye (5760 × 2880 combined)
Pixel Density	42 PPD (center)
Refresh Rate	90Hz, 120Hz, 160Hz (mode dependent)
Persistence	Low persistence
Image
Field of View	140° (diagonal), 120° (horizontal)
Horizontal FoV	~120°
Vertical FoV	~100°
Average Pixel Density	35 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	42 PPD
Foveated Rendering	Yes (eye-tracked)
Optics
Optics	Interchangeable glass aspheric lenses (35 PPD and 42 PPD options)
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	58-72mm (automatic with eye tracking)
Adjustable Diopter	No (glasses compatible)
Passthrough	Yes (grayscale)
Tracking
Tracking	6DoF inside-out (4 cameras) + optional Lighthouse
Tracking Frequency	N/A
Base Stations	Optional (for enhanced tracking)
Eye Tracking	Yes (Tobii, 120Hz)
Face Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	Yes
Body Tracking	Via SteamVR trackers (Lighthouse mode)
Rotational Tracking	Yes
Positional Tracking	Yes
Update Rate	Up to 160Hz
Tracking Volume	Room-scale
Play Space	Roomscale
Latency	<20ms motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio	Integrated speakers (DMAS optional upgrade)
Microphone	Yes
3.5mm Audio Jack	Yes
Camera	4× tracking cameras, 2× passthrough cameras
Connectivity
Connectivity	DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0, Wi-Fi 6E
Ports	DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C, 3.5mm audio
Wired Video	Yes (DisplayPort)
Wireless Video	Yes (Wi-Fi 6E or optional 60GHz WiGig)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth	Yes
Power	Internal battery (standalone) or USB powered (PC VR)
Battery Capacity	Internal (limited standalone use)
Battery Life	~2 hours (standalone)
Charge Time	~2 hours
Device
Dimensions	Large form factor
Weight	~960g (with battery)
Material	Plastic, metal components
Headstrap	Modular (standard or DMAS)
Haptics	Controller haptics
Color	Black
Sensors	4× tracking cameras, eye tracking, IMU
Input	SteamVR controllers, Pimax controllers, hand tracking
Compliance	FCC, CE

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The Pimax Crystal is a high-end hybrid virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Pimax, announced on May 31, 2022, and released in May 2023 at a price of $1,599. The Crystal represents Pimax's evolution from their ultra-wide FOV headsets toward higher clarity, featuring dual QLED displays at 2880 × 2880 per eye (6K total) with interchangeable aspheric glass lenses offering either 35 or 42 pixels per degree—among the highest in consumer VR. Uniquely, the Crystal is a hybrid device powered by both the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 for standalone operation and a custom PC VR engine for tethered high-fidelity gaming. The headset includes Tobii eye tracking at 120Hz for automatic IPD adjustment and foveated rendering, inside-out tracking with optional Lighthouse support, and wireless PC VR capability through built-in Wi-Fi 6E. The Crystal targeted enthusiasts seeking maximum visual clarity over maximum field of view.

History and Development

Pimax Evolution

Product line progression:

Pimax 4K (2016): First Pimax headset
Pimax 8K (2018): Ultra-wide FOV focus
Pimax 8K X (2020): Native 4K per eye
Pimax Crystal (2023): Clarity-first approach

Design Shift

New philosophy:

FOV to clarity pivot
Inside-out tracking option
Standalone capability
Eye tracking standard

May 2022 Announcement

Pimax event reveal:

QLED displays announced
Hybrid design explained
Eye tracking confirmed
2023 availability

Development Delays

Extended timeline:

Initial delays common for Pimax
Hardware refinements
Software development
May 2023 shipping began

Design Philosophy

Clarity Over FOV

Priority shift from 8K X:

42 PPD peak vs 8K X's ~20 PPD
120° vs 170° FOV
Higher effective resolution
Reduced rendering demands

Hybrid Architecture

Dual-mode operation:

Standalone Snapdragon XR2
PC VR dedicated engine
Best of both worlds
Flexibility for users

Modular Lenses

Interchangeable optics:

35 PPD glass lenses (included)
42 PPD glass lenses (optional)
Future lens options
User preference

Display Technology

QLED Panels

Quantum dot LCD:

Resolution: 2880 × 2880 per eye
Total: 5760 × 2880 (~6K)
Technology: QLED (quantum dot)
Color: Wide color gamut

Pixel Density

Best-in-class clarity:

Peak: 42 PPD (with 42 PPD lenses)
Standard: 35 PPD (with standard lenses)
Exceptional text readability
Near-retinal center clarity

Refresh Rate

Multiple modes:

90Hz: Standard
120Hz: High refresh
160Hz: Maximum (limited mode)
User configurable

Visual Quality

Premium imagery:

Sharp text and details
Wide color gamut
Good HDR support
Minimal screen door

Optical System

Interchangeable Glass Lenses

Unique Pimax feature:

Glass aspheric optics
35 PPD standard lenses
42 PPD upgrade lenses
User-swappable

Field of View

Balanced approach:

Diagonal: ~140°
Horizontal: ~120°
Narrower than 8K X
Prioritizes clarity

Lens Quality

Premium optics:

Glass construction
Minimal distortion
Good edge clarity
Reduced god rays

IPD Adjustment

Automatic with eye tracking:

Range: 58-72mm
Auto IPD via Tobii
Manual override available
Wide accommodation

Eye Tracking

Tobii Integration

Professional eye tracking:

Frequency: 120Hz
Brand: Tobii
Accurate gaze detection
Always-on capability

Automatic IPD

Convenience feature:

Detects user IPD
Adjusts automatically
No manual calibration
Optimal alignment

Foveated Rendering

Performance optimization:

Full resolution at gaze
Reduced peripheral rendering
Significant performance gains
Quality preserved where looking

Processing Architecture

Dual-Processor Design

Hybrid capability:

Standalone: Snapdragon XR2
PC VR: Custom engine
Independent operation
Automatic switching

Snapdragon XR2

Standalone processor:

Octa-core Kryo 585
Adreno 650 GPU
8GB RAM
256GB storage

PC VR Mode

Dedicated tethered:

DisplayPort 1.4
Full PC GPU utilization
Higher quality possible
Standard PC VR experience

Tracking System

Inside-Out Tracking

Four-camera system:

6DoF head tracking
Controller tracking
No base stations required
Room-scale capable

Optional Lighthouse

External tracking support:

SteamVR 1.0/2.0 compatible
Better controller tracking
Full-body tracking possible
Enthusiast preference

Hand Tracking

Controller-free option:

Camera-based tracking
Gesture recognition
Limited application support
Growing capability

Wireless Capability

Built-in Wi-Fi 6E

Wireless PC VR:

Integrated Wi-Fi 6E
PC VR streaming
No separate adapter
Decent quality

Optional 60GHz WiGig

Premium wireless:

Higher bandwidth
Lower latency
Additional purchase
Best wireless quality

Audio System

Integrated Speakers

Basic audio:

Built-in speakers
Adequate quality
Near-ear positioning
Upgradeable

DMAS Upgrade

Premium audio option:

Deluxe Modular Audio Strap
Off-ear speakers
Improved sound
Better comfort

3.5mm Jack

Headphone option:

Standard audio jack
Use own headphones
Better audio possible

Physical Design

Large Form Factor

Substantial headset:

Larger than competitors
Display and optics size
Weight considerations
Enthusiast acceptance

Weight

Heavy for VR:

~960g with battery
Counterbalancing needed
Not for all users
Extended use comfort varies

Modular Head Strap

Comfort options:

Standard strap included
DMAS upgrade available
Third-party options
User preference

Standalone Mode

Snapdragon XR2 Apps

Standalone capability:

Android-based OS
Limited app selection
Media viewing
Basic VR experiences

Battery Life

Limited runtime:

~2 hours standalone
Hot-swappable consideration
PC VR doesn't use battery
USB-C charging

PC VR Performance

System Requirements

High-end recommended:

RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT or better
Intel i7 / AMD Ryzen 7
16GB+ RAM
DisplayPort 1.4

Foveated Rendering Benefits