Industry Expert Predicts Valve XR Headset Release in 2026

Whoa, so get this—the buzz around Valve’s new XR headset, and yeah, it’s got a code name: Deckard. It’s like they’re in some secret XR club, but hey, some insider got a sneak peek, called it “quite amazing.” Like, are they hyping it up? Maybe.

Stan Larroque, this guy who started Lynx—you know, those folks behind that Lynx R-1 headset—dropped a note on, well, Twitter… or X, whatever they’re calling it these days. He’s all excited, saying he saw the design, which is wild. It’s all, “Look, I’m not under any NDA,” so maybe he just wanted to spill some beans without getting into trouble.

And Stan’s like, “Nah, Valve’s thing isn’t stepping on our toes,” since they’re aiming at different folks, different prices. Though he did say something like, “We might share suppliers.” Hmm, sounds like somebody’s shipping boxes might’ve landed on the wrong doorstep, you know?

Then, he adds, “I’d be ticked if someone leaked our stuff, so I won’t spill more. Just stoked for fresh XR headsets.” Imagining these VR folks sharing parts like neighbors borrowing sugar. Cozy, but with tech bits—I mean, sure.

Some leaked design patents from before, showing off a controller called ‘Roy.’ I mean, who names a controller Roy? But there you go. And this Brad Lynch guy, a real VR Sherlock, noticed Valve’s busy getting parts for these XR faces—chin straps or whatever—right in the USA. By a maker named Teleray, which feels random but got mentioned.

Things feel sketchy timing-wise. Is it 2025, 2026? Valve’s an enigma, sometimes dropping stuff out of nowhere. Their game. Everyone from Meta to Apple’s apparently rallying for XR supremacy. Samsung’s got some play with Project Moohan—it’ll have Google’s XR Android thing. Throwing Android apps on headsets? Yeah, imagine that party.

In typical Valve fashion, don’t expect jazzy events. Probably a low-key reveal, or maybe one day you just find it on Steam. Keep those eyes peeled; might happen when you least think. And now… back to seeing what sticks until the next leak or casual announcement.