Sony has recently unveiled a prototype of its next-generation XR headset designed for enterprise use, which they’re calling ‘XYN,’ pronounced ‘zin.’ They’re keen to cater to creators delving into spatial content with this new development.
So, let’s clear up a previous mention from January 9, 2025: Initially, there was some confusion, speculating that XYN was essentially a rebranded version of Sony’s SRH-S1 for enterprise. However, it turns out we’re actually dealing with a prototype featuring still-to-be-confirmed specs. Kudos to Antony Vitillo from Skarred Ghost for setting us straight on that. Below is the updated and accurate scoop:
Back on January 7, 2025, we got wind of the enterprise edition of the headset, which made its debut at CES the year before. This new variant, XYN, appears to be quite the evolution, boasting some impressive display capabilities. It offers 13.6 million pixels per eye, thanks to Sony’s own ECX344A OLED microdisplay.
Last year’s reveal of the Sony SRH-S1, labeled as a “content creation system,” came with a display that promises a 90 FPS experience, 1,000 nits brightness at a 20% duty cycle, and covers 96% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum. In terms of resolution and color fidelity, it even outshines Apple’s Vision Pro.
Sony has kept mum about the XYN’s specifications officially, but it’s looking to be a ‘prosumer’ iteration of the SRH-S1. After getting a hands-on with the device, Antony Vitillo shares that it includes many enticing features like mixed reality capabilities, 4K per-eye displays, a convenient flip-up design, and it runs on the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen2 chipset.
From our experience with the SRH-S1, the headset earns high marks for its comfortable design, the practicality of its flip-up mechanism, and the outstanding clarity of its displays. However, the downside was the stylus-ring controller’s performance, which fell short with poor tracking during our demonstration, and the showcased content didn’t fully utilize its internal Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset’s potential.
But that’s where concrete information thins out. The price and release date for XYN remain closely guarded secrets, a puzzling decision when introducing a new product. Add to that, Vitillo has noted that XYN is merely a codename, indicating the device is far from finalized.
What has been confirmed is the rollout of XYN Motion Studio PC companion software, slated for March 2025. This software aims to enhance the motion capture process through seamless integration with 12 ‘mocopi’ sensors.
On top of that, Sony is gearing up to introduce the XYN Spatial capture solution. This innovation utilizes mirrorless cameras coupled with proprietary algorithms to transform images into high-quality, lifelike 3D CG assets.
What’s interesting is that the headset seems poised to accommodate “a wide range of third-party tools,” as stated in XYN’s press release.
Just keep in mind, XYN probably won’t be pitted against the Quest when it comes to affordability and performance. Sony seems intent on targeting the creatives and professionals within the industry. As a final note, it looks like the XYN will don a sleek black finish, differentiating it from the SRH-S1’s more utilitarian grey setup tailored for enterprise.
