Pimax Reality 12K QLED
| Pimax Reality 12K QLED | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR, PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, PiTool, Standalone |
| Creator | Pimax |
| Developer | Pimax |
| Manufacturer | Pimax |
| Announcement Date | February 2022 |
| Release Date | Unreleased (announced for Q4 2022) |
| Price | $2,400 (announced starting price) |
| Website | https://pimax.com/ |
| Versions | Pimax Reality 12K QLED |
| Requires | High-end VR-ready PC (PC VR mode), Standalone capable |
| Predecessor | Pimax 8K X |
| Successor | None announced |
| System | |
| Operating System | Android-based (standalone), Windows (PC VR) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| GPU | Adreno integrated (standalone), Host PC (PC VR) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Not specified |
| Memory | Not specified |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual QLED with mini-LED backlighting |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | High (mini-LED local dimming) |
| Resolution | 5760 × 3240 per eye (6K, PC mode), 3840 × 2160 per eye (4K, standalone) |
| Pixel Density | ~60+ PPD (estimated) |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 200Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 200° horizontal (PC), 150° horizontal (standalone) |
| Horizontal FoV | 200° (PC), 150° (standalone) |
| Vertical FoV | 135° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~60+ PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~60+ PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Yes (Tobii eye tracking) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Custom ultra-wide lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Adjustable |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | Yes (color passthrough) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out + SteamVR optional |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | Optional (SteamVR compatible) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (Tobii) |
| Face Tracking | Yes |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Body Tracking | Yes (11 cameras) |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | Up to 200Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated speakers |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 11 cameras (tracking, passthrough, body tracking) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, USB-C, DisplayPort |
| Ports | USB-C, DisplayPort |
| Wired Video | Yes (DisplayPort) |
| Wireless Video | Planned (Wi-Fi 6E) |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Power | Rear-mounted swappable battery |
| Battery Capacity | 6000mAh (swappable) |
| Battery Life | Not specified |
| Charge Time | Not specified |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 30% smaller than 8K X |
| Weight | Not specified (lighter than 8K X) |
| Material | Plastic |
| Headstrap | Modular with rear battery |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | 11 cameras, eye tracking, face tracking, IMU |
| Input | SteamVR controllers, hand tracking, eye tracking |
| Compliance | FCC, CE (expected) |
Property "Latency" (as page type) with input value "" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.
The Pimax Reality 12K QLED is an announced but currently unreleased ultra-high-resolution virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Pimax, revealed in February 2022 with an announced starting price of $2,400 and originally planned for Q4 2022 release. The Reality 12K QLED represents Pimax's most ambitious headset concept to date, featuring dual 6K QLED displays with mini-LED backlighting and 4400 local dimming zones, an unprecedented 200° horizontal field of view in PC VR mode (150° standalone), up to 200Hz refresh rate, and integrated Tobii eye tracking for foveated rendering. As a hybrid standalone/PC VR headset powered by the Snapdragon XR2 processor, the Reality 12K is designed to operate independently for mobile VR or connect to a PC for maximum visual fidelity. With 11 onboard cameras enabling head, controller, hand, eye, face, and full-body tracking, the Reality 12K promises to push the boundaries of consumer VR specifications to previously unattainable levels.
Status
Note: As of the knowledge cutoff, the Pimax Reality 12K QLED has not been released. Release timelines have been delayed from the original Q4 2022 announcement. Specifications listed are based on announced features and may change before any commercial release.
History and Development
Pimax Background
Company history:
- Founded 2015 in China
- Wide-FOV VR pioneer
- Kickstarter success (8K series)
- Enthusiast market focus
February 2022 Announcement
Reality series reveal:
- 12K QLED flagship announced
- Unprecedented specifications
- Hybrid standalone/PC design
- $2,400 starting price
Development Challenges
Complex engineering:
- Mini-LED QLED displays
- Ultra-wide optics
- Standalone processing
- Integration complexity
Release Status
Current situation:
- Originally Q4 2022 target
- Multiple delays
- Development ongoing
- Release date uncertain
Design Philosophy
Maximum Specifications
Enthusiast ambition:
- Highest resolution announced
- Widest FOV planned
- Highest refresh rate
- Comprehensive tracking
Hybrid Standalone/PC
Dual operation:
- Standalone with XR2
- PC VR for maximum quality
- Flexible usage
- Best of both worlds
QLED Mini-LED
Display innovation:
- QLED technology
- Mini-LED backlighting
- Local dimming zones
- HDR capability
Display Technology
Dual 6K QLED
Revolutionary displays:
- PC VR Resolution: 5760 × 3240 per eye
- Standalone Resolution: 3840 × 2160 per eye
- Technology: QLED with mini-LED
- Local Dimming: 4400 zones
Mini-LED Backlighting
HDR capability:
- 4400 local dimming elements
- High contrast ratio
- Deep blacks
- HDR content
Refresh Rate
Ultra-high performance:
- Up to 200Hz
- Smooth motion
- Reduced latency
- Competition gaming
Field of View
Ultra-Wide PC VR
Maximum immersion:
- Horizontal: 200°
- Vertical: 135°
- Diagonal: 240°
- Near-human vision
Standalone Mode
Reduced but wide:
- Horizontal: 150°
- Vertical: 135°
- Diagonal: 200°
- Still industry-leading
Eye Tracking
Tobii Integration
Professional eye tracking:
- Tobii partnership
- High accuracy
- Foveated rendering
- Performance optimization
Foveated Rendering
Necessary for 12K:
- Full resolution at gaze
- Reduced peripheral
- GPU efficiency
- Essential technology
Tracking System
11-Camera Array
Comprehensive tracking:
- Head tracking
- Controller tracking
- Hand tracking
- Eye tracking
- Face tracking
- Body tracking
Inside-Out + Optional External
Flexible tracking:
- 6DoF inside-out standard
- SteamVR base station compatible
- Best of both options
- User choice
Full-Body Tracking
Complete tracking:
- Camera-based body tracking
- No external trackers needed
- Social VR ready
- Full avatar support
Processing
Snapdragon XR2
Standalone power:
- Qualcomm XR2 processor
- Standalone VR capable
- Mobile apps
- Untethered operation
PC VR Mode
Maximum quality:
- Full 12K rendering
- 200Hz refresh
- High-end GPU required
- Desktop performance
Battery
Rear-Mounted Swappable
Extended operation:
- 6000mAh capacity
- Hot-swappable design
- Weight distribution
- Extended sessions
Physical Design
Smaller Than 8K X
Improved form factor:
- 30% smaller than Pimax 8K X
- Lighter weight
- Improved ergonomics
- Better balance
Modular Design
Pimax tradition:
- Modular accessories
- Upgrade path
- User customization
- Ecosystem compatibility
Connectivity
Hybrid Connection
Multiple modes:
- DisplayPort (PC VR)
- USB-C
- Wi-Fi 6E (wireless streaming planned)
- Standalone operation
Announced Specifications
| Feature | PC VR Mode | Standalone Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 6K per eye (5760×3240) | 4K per eye (3840×2160) |
| Horizontal FOV | 200° | 150° |
| Vertical FOV | 135° | 135° |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 200Hz | TBD |
| Tracking | Inside-out + SteamVR | Inside-out |
| Eye Tracking | Tobii | Tobii |
Potential Challenges
GPU Requirements
Extreme demands:
- 12K rendering needs
- Foveated rendering essential
- Future GPU requirements
- Performance demands
Development Complexity
Engineering challenges:
- QLED mini-LED manufacturing
- Ultra-wide optics
- Integration complexity
- Quality assurance
Release Timeline
Ongoing delays:
- Original Q4 2022 target missed
- Multiple postponements
- Development challenges
- Release uncertain
Strengths and Limitations (Announced)
Announced Strengths
- Unprecedented 12K resolution (6K per eye)
- Up to 200° horizontal FOV
- QLED mini-LED with local dimming
- Up to 200Hz refresh rate
- Tobii eye tracking
- 11-camera comprehensive tracking
- Hybrid standalone/PC operation
Potential Limitations
- Unreleased (as of knowledge cutoff)
- Extreme GPU requirements
- Likely high weight
- Complex manufacturing
- Price ($2,400+ starting)
- Delayed timeline