Announced against all odds, the Pimax Portal is a pleasant surprise in the world of virtual reality. Aware that our helmets VR autonomous run on Android, the Chinese manufacturer had the good idea of linking the two worlds: a portable console that can be plugged into a helmet VRbut not only…
In presale at the same time as the PSVR 2i.e. November 15, Pimax presents the concept of his device via a country Kickstarter. We can see on the announcement video way too many devices (Pimax Portal, Pimax Portal XL, Pimax Mini Station, Pimax Powerstation, Portal Dock…) to make the message understandable. We have therefore chosen to group everything together in a more relevant way.
- 3 models : $299 (128 GB), $399 (256 GB) and $549 (QLED + Mini LED + HDR + 256 GB).
- Processor : Snapdragon XR2 (the same one that equips the Meta Quest 2, the PICO 4…).
- Panel technology : not specified on the basic version, QLED + Mini LED + HDR + 144 Hz for the version at $549.
- Resolution : 4K.
- screen size : 5.5 inches.
- PDP : 27.
- Exit : Mini HDMI.
- Hall : Micro-SD, Jack port.
- Number of cameras : 5.
- Number of physical keys : 32.
- Number of virtual keys : 8.
- Controller technology : Adaptive triggers, vibration motors.
- wireless technology : Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
- Tracking technology: inside-out tracking and 6 DOF (as on other stand-alone helmets).
- Battery : not communicated (but the accessory is announced at 50,000 mAh).
- Panel technology : QLED + Mini LED + HDR at 120Hz.
- screen size : 8.8 inches.
- wireless technology : Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
- Possibility of integrating a WiGID or 5G module for more performance or versatility (see photo above).
- Same other features as the Pimax Portal.
“To Go Where No One Has Gone Before”, or in French “Go where no one has ever gone”, the slogan of Pimax perfectly illustrates what the Chinese manufacturer is tending towards. The latter identified the weaknesses and constraints of the competition to propose the solution that would fill the gaps and needs.
The first is to increase the DPI of the portable console, in other words, stop seeing pixels on the screen. Pimax explains that DPI is based on the distance between our hand and our smartphone. But when we focus, we tend (a habit that goes back to the prehistoric era) to bring the object that seems important to us closer to the eyes, and in the context indicated, by bringing the screen closer, we then see the pixels.
In addition to visual quality, the Chinese manufacturer has also relied on the low power of Android consoles and has chosen to equip its console with the Snapdragon XR 2which can show more than convincing performance for Android applications, for the retrogamingas well as VR. Same for theinput lagthis should be below 20 ms.
You would have understood it, the policy of Pimax is not to be in compromise, but in an all-in-one solution allowing you not to have to use several devices for various uses. Since the console is equipped with cameras, it will be possible to use it for Augmented Reality (AR) and for the VRthe cameras being used to follow the controllers. It’s worth noting that the one on the screen appears in color on the Pimax Portal, so we could, without taking too many risks, tell you that the pass-through should be in color, although we don’t know the definition of said cameras.
Going back to the controllers, Pimax is strong by announcing no less than 32 physical buttons and 8 virtual buttons to cover all eventualities and not need to resort to a combination of keys when your game requires one that you do not have. The most popular titles will recognize the controller Pimax automatically and you can, like other Android consoles, associate your buttons with the screen’s touch interface to make games compatible that do not natively take into account the console’s controllers.
- Choice 1 : Lenses (Fresnel – to be confirmed) to play: 27 PPD, 100° FOV.
- Choice 2 : Lenses (Fresnel – to be confirmed) for watching movies/series: 40 PPD, 60° FOV.
- IPD : 3 notches (as on Meta Quest 2).
- Price : Portal View + Base Pimax Portal: $450; Portal View + Pimax Portal QLED: $600.
27 PPD, this would (on paper) provide 50% greater sharpness than competing headsets. We can also choose our lenses (both included in the price) in relation to our use or preference, with a FOV lower for higher image quality or vice versa. Here again, Pimax seems afraid of forgetting use cases (or use case in English), in other words, the company has genuinely designed its product(s) to meet all possible and unimaginable demands (and again, read on, you haven’t seen anything yet).
- FOV : 140°.
- PDP : 20.
- IPD : 3 notches (as on Meta Quest 2).
- No other information provided.
For lovers of the first Pimax which offered a very wide field of vision, the company offers here an incomparable one while maintaining a suitable PPD.
- Choice 1 : Lenses (Fresnel – to be confirmed) to play: 27 PPD, 100° FOV.
- Choice 2 : Lenses (Fresnel – to be confirmed) for watching movies/series: 40 PPD, 60° FOV.
- Tracking Technology : Inside-Out, 6DOF, Eye Tracking, Face Tracking.
- IPD : 3 notches (as on Meta Quest 2).
- No other information provided.
- Processor : AMD 6800U (same processor as the Aya Neo 2).
- RAM : 32 Go RAM (no precision on the frequency and its generation).
- Storage : 1TB SSD.
- wireless technology : Integrated WiGIG + Bluetooth 5.1.
- Feed : 56W.
- Hall : not communicated.
- Exit : not communicated.
- Price : not communicated.
You don’t have a PC, but you want stream your games on your Pimax Portal, well, the Chinese manufacturer has thought of you. Integrating the solution WiGIG and its 60 GHz technology, Pimax promises a smooth experience, without the G and without dropped frames.
You need power to play well on PC VR ? Pimax heard you! Although the latter has not communicated on the characteristics of the PC or PCs, we know at least that the company is working on it. The idea will therefore be to optimize it by choosing the components and via the integrated software to offer the easiest solution to use. Thus, the customer, who traditionally lost in the jungle of PCs for gamers or in the choice of components, will just have to take a “Pimax Portal Ready” PC.
- Storage box : up to 6 controllers.
- Exit :HDMI.
- Price : not disclosed.
Like the Nintendo Switch, you will be able todocking your Pimax Portal to a docking station. You can then play Android or PC games (via the streaming) with your friends up to 6 players (6 controllers) in the traditional way or via motion detectionyour Pimax Portal taking care via its cameras to do the job.
If the conferences Meta could be so stingy in features hardwares and softwareswe would be even more delighted. Pimax seems to have understood that it is necessary to offer features that others do not offer based on customer needs, specific to what Nintendo did with the Switch in 2017 and which turns out to be a profitable strategy. In addition to the race for technology proposed by Microsoft and sony to display more and more beautiful games, nintendo had responded to the demand of players, who needed an easily transportable and powerful console to go play at home or in transport. There where Pimax stands out from nintendois that it does not leave technology aside, offering state-of-the-art products (Snapdragon XR2QLED-Mini LED screen, HDR…), i.e. the best at low prices (taking into account the on-board technology and the resulting possibilities).
The only disadvantage of offering an all-in-one service is exactly the same as for your house keys. When you put all your keys on a single game, the day you lose it, you lose everything! Well, it’s the same here, if you use your Pimax Portal as a handheld, home console or headset VRthe day it drops, you will no longer be able to enjoy it, while if your Switch breaks down, you can still play your Meta Quest 2.
Anyway, we can’t wait to get our hands on this surprise to give you a test run. Stay tuned, as more news regarding the Pimax Portal and all that goes with it is expected in the week ahead.