Lynx has started teasing its next-generation headset — and this time, all signs point toward it running Google’s Android XR platform. The company dropped a dark teaser image that’s already stirring excitement in the mixed reality community.
For those unfamiliar, Lynx is a French startup best known for its Lynx-R1, a standalone mixed reality headset first announced back in 2020. The R1 gained attention for its open periphery design and color passthrough capabilities, which were groundbreaking at the time. The company launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2021 to bring the headset to market.
However, things didn’t go entirely according to plan. While the R1 was supposed to launch in 2022 — potentially making it the first consumer headset with color passthrough — production delays meant that it was eventually overtaken by Meta’s Quest Pro. By the time most backers received their units, the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro had already entered the market.
Initially, the Lynx-R1 was positioned as a $500 consumer headset meant to rival Meta’s offerings. Kickstarter backers received their devices at that price or were offered refunds, but as development costs increased, the price for new customers rose — first to $850, then to $1300. Over time, Lynx shifted its focus from the consumer market to enterprise and professional users.
Lynx founder Stan Larroque recently shared that the team has “learned so much with the R1,” particularly regarding electronics supply chains, and confirmed they won’t be returning to Kickstarter for the next model. While he’s keeping quiet about specs for now, Larroque mentioned that more details will be revealed early next month.
When Google introduced Android XR in December, it also confirmed that Sony, Lynx, and Xreal were working on devices powered by the new system. With Samsung’s Galaxy XR expected to debut soon, Lynx’s upcoming headset could become the second device to feature Android XR, marking a major milestone for the company.
Speculation suggests the new headset will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 or XR2+ Gen 2 — the same high-performance chips used in the Meta Quest 3 and Samsung’s Galaxy XR. The current Lynx-R1 runs on the original Snapdragon XR2, which also powers the Quest 2.
Lynx continues to emphasize its commitment to openness and innovation, recently releasing an open-source 6DoF positional tracking system compatible with any Android headset featuring a Qualcomm chip. This dedication to accessibility and transparency could give Lynx an edge in the evolving XR ecosystem.
As anticipation builds, all eyes are on Lynx to see how its new headset will shape the future of mixed reality — and whether it can truly deliver a competitive Android XR experience.
