Pimax Reality 12K QLED Review

A Guide to the Ultimate 12K Headset

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Pimax Reality 12K QLED Review
VRInsights

Published: February 13, 2023

Rebekah Carter

Rebekah Carter

VR has come a long way in the last few years. Many of us first got our introduction to virtual reality with clunky headsets, featuring semi-professional graphics and limited control options. Now, as XR makes its way into the enterprise landscape, we’re seeing an increasing number of vendors producing ever-more awe-inspiring products.

Headsets previously considered to be top-end, with 4K resolution quality are being replaced by 8k and even 12k alternatives. Perhaps of the most exciting devices to emerge in recent years comes from Chinese VR developer, Pimax. The company introduced its own market-leading 12K QLED headset during a live conference in October 2021.

The solution promises both wired and standalone functionality, as well as a phenomenal level of power for streaming high-fidelity, immersive software. Let’s take a closer look at the Pimax 12k QLED headset.

Pimax Reality 12K QLED: Features and Tech Specs

Perhaps one of the most powerful headsets introduced in the last few years, the Pimax Reality 12K QLED headset was delivered at a time when companies like Meta were still focused exclusively on the consumer market. The solution is capable of PCVR streaming at an amazing rate and gives users access to a range of PCVR app stores, including Viveport and SteamVR.

Intended to be the new flagship model for the Pimax brand, the solution finished development in 2022. It features dual 6K QLED panels for visual fidelity, with miniature LED backlighting, as well as 4400 elements to enable local dimming. The device also comes with a fully reimagined lens design, eliminating refractions and distortion for end-to-end graphics.

Features and tech specs include:

  • Dual 6K QLED panels
  • Mini LED backlighting with local dimming
  • Fresnel/Aspheric lenses (known as bionic lenses)
  • 210 degrees of horizontal FOV
  • 135 degrees vertical FOV
  • Tobii eye-tracking technology
  • Foveated rendering
  • Motorized IPD adjustment
  • PCVR hybrid functionality
  • SteamVR tracking technology
  • Facial expression and body tracking

Pimax Reality 12K QLED: Benefits

The Pimax Reality 12K QLED device is a truly transformational VR headset, capable of far more than many of the other consumer-friendly and enterprise-ready solutions available. It follows on from other market-leading solutions produced by the company, such as the state-of-the-art 8K PCVR model.

This headset is a clear insight into Pimax’s attempt to push the boundaries of what’s possible in VR design, with solutions that are bigger, brighter, and bolder than anything else around. Here are some of the most significant benefits associated with the product:

  • Incredible visuals: The Pimax Reality 12k QLED features dual 6K QLED displays, for amazing visual fidelity. These come with 4400 elements for local dimming and LED backlighting. The headset also features a reimagined lens design, which eliminates refractions and distortion by offering a combination of Fresnel and aspheric lens technology. The lenses are referred to as “bionic lenses” by the brand.
  • Amazing FOV: The field of view in the Pimax Reality 12K QLED headset is truly amazing. This device adds 30 degrees to the horizontal FOV of the previous model, delivering 210 degrees of visuals. The vertical FOV is also 135 degrees, which is more than we can perceive as human beings. To help improve performance, Pimax has also integrated Tobii eye-tracking technology for foveated rendering.
  • PCVR headset: While the specifications of the Pimax device belay a tethered headset, Pimax has developed a truly hybrid device. Thanks to a Qualcomm XR-2 chip, the system can be used as a standalone device without a computer. The solution fits into a new category of VR headsets known as “PCVR” which enables both tethered and standalone functionality. However, the standalone mode reduces the resolution to 4K per eye, with a FOV of 150 degrees horizontally.
  • Tracking technology: From a tracking perspective, Pimax pairs with SteamVR for eye tracking and uses SLAM-based position tracking. The solution also includes various biometric tracking systems which monitor mouth and body tracking. The cameras on the bottom of the visor can track your torso position, as well as arm and leg movement, to immerse users completely into the unique environment.
  • Comfort: While the Pimax Reality 12K QLED device certainly isn’t the lightest product around, it still takes comfort seriously. The system automatically starts a calibration process whenever someone wears the device, to ensure their eyes are in the right position. There are also other manual options to allow users to adjust their calibration.

Who Needs the Pimax Reality 12 QLED?

The Pimax Reality 12 QLED headset is an extremely versatile and powerful product, set to change the way we look at virtual reality experiences. Although it’s taken a while for the product to finish production, the Pimax company is starting to gradually enable access to the device. There’s also the option to trade in old headsets for a discount via store credit.

At this time, because the headset still isn’t available to purchase universally, there’s no specific price associated with it, but it’s likely to range up to the $3000 mark. This could make it a little too expensive for some smaller businesses looking to branch into the VR space. It also means it’s unlikely to be the go-to product for consumers anytime soon.

Overall, for those in search of amazing fidelity, and hybrid computing options, the Pimax is a wonderfully flexible and impressive device. It builds on the success of the previous Pimax products perfectly, Plus, it will work with existing base stations and controllers in some cases.

While this device may be a little too expensive (and advanced) for some use cases, it will offer some fantastic training, production, and collaboration opportunities to future brands. Whether used as a standalone headset or tethered device, the Pimax Reality 12K QLED headset does have it all.

 

 

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