Tag: Xreal

XREAL 1S Review: Specs, Weight, Price, and How It Compares to the XREAL One

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The XREAL 1S is XREAL’s latest pair of AR glasses, designed to deliver a plug-in spatial display experience through lightweight, sunglasses-style hardware. Rather than operating as a standalone headset, it connects to phones, PCs, consoles, and handheld gaming devices to mirror or extend a display directly in front of your eyes.

In XREAL’s lineup, the 1S sits below the flagship One and One Pro models, alongside the Air 2 series, and above accessory-only products like the Beam Pro hub. It is not positioned as a full spatial-computing or “true AR” device with onboard processing. Instead, it focuses on doing one thing well: acting as a portable, immersive virtual screen for video entertainment and gaming.

In short, the XREAL 1S is best understood as a virtual display you wear, not a headset that meaningfully augments the physical world around you.

Ubergizmo co-founder Hubert Nguyen uses the XREAL One daily and has contributed to this article by sharing his experience of that device. We both have been exposed to this type of technology for the past 20 years.

XREAL 1S weight and comfort

At 84 grams, the XREAL 1S is clearly heavier than regular eyeglasses, but weight distribution is handled well. Thanks to adjustable nose pads and balanced arms, pressure on the nose remains mild, and I found the glasses comfortable for extended sessions ranging from 45 minutes to several hours.

In my case, there were no obvious pressure points, and comfort was good enough that I even fell asleep with the glasses on multiple times. There is some heat buildup near the top of the frame, but it stays mild (96F) and does not touch the skin, so it never becomes uncomfortable during use.

The top flat surface above the lenses is where the heat builds up

Compared to the previous generation, the overall physical experience is very similar. Any design or weight changes are subtle enough that they are not obvious in daily use. If you were comfortable wearing earlier XREAL glasses (of similar weight), the 1S will feel immediately familiar. Comfort here is not a differentiator, but it is solid and reliable, which matters for a device meant to be worn for long video or gaming sessions.

XREAL 1S specs and key features

Specifications	XREAL 1S
Resolution	1920 × 1200 (1200p, 16:10)
Refresh Rate	Up to 120Hz
Field of View	52°
Peak Brightness	Up to 700 nits
Color Accuracy	ΔE < 3
Motion-to-Photon Latency	~3 ms
Spatial Tracking	Native 3DoF (6DoF with XREAL Eye accessory)
Screen Modes	Follow Mode (0DoF), Anchor Mode (3DoF), Ultrawide, Side View
2D-to-3D Conversion	Real-time native 2D → 3D (no apps required)
Audio	Built-in speakers, tuned by Bose
Weight	~82 g
Lens Technology	Electrochromic dimming (manual + auto)
Connectivity	USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
Device Compatibility	Phones, PCs, consoles, handhelds
Prescription Lens Support	Yes (via official partners)
Launch Price (USD)	$449
Release Window	January 2026

Display and Visual Experience

Smart glasses have been evolving for decades, and the progress has been impressive, but it is important to understand what this technology is trying to achieve. The XREAL 1S creates the perception of a massive display using hardware that fits in your pocket. That is an impressive feat, but it is not the same as looking at a real, physically large screen with your bare eyes.

With that context in mind, the XREAL 1S delivers a noticeable improvement in visual quality over the previous generation, thanks to its 1200p resolution. The resolution increase translates into a sharper image that most users will immediately perceive when upgrading from older models. From a subjective standpoint, the experience feels similar to watching a good, large, 1080p television.

feels similar to watching a good, large, 1080p television

When moving your head quickly from side to side, the image can blur slightly while in motion. This appears to be a byproduct of the system compensating between “Follow” mode, where the image stays centered in your view, and “Anchor” mode, where the image is fixed in virtual space. In practice, this is rarely an issue, as typical use does not involve rapid head movements.

The display favors immersion over absolute clarity. For movies and video content, this works extremely well. On a plane, the experience is far superior to any built-in seatback screen, including those in business class. The open-ear speakers, however, are not powerful enough in noisy environments like flights, so pairing the glasses with Bluetooth earbuds or headphones is recommended.

I typically use the 173-inch screen setting at a five-meter virtual distance and intentionally leave some dark space around the image. Filling the entire field of view may sound appealing, but backing off slightly provides a better balance between clarity and immersion.

…far superior to any built-in seatback screen, including those in business class

For text and productivity, limitations become more apparent. At 1920×1200 with 100 percent scaling in Windows, text is just legible but tiring to read for long periods. Increasing scaling to 125 or 150 percent improves comfort, making light reading possible for one to two hours, but I would not use the XREAL 1S for demanding tasks like coding. That kind of work would require a robust virtual multi-monitor setup, and XREAL no longer appears to be pursuing that direction on desktop platforms. For travel work, I still rely on a portable monitor instead.

Hubert pointed out that he has presbyopia, which affects near-field vision, but because the focal point of the display is set at about five meters, he does not need corrective glasses to watch movies comfortably.

I did not notice meaningful image distortion or color issues around the edges, even when lying on my side and slightly misaligning the glasses. This suggests relatively low sensitivity to IPD (interpupillary distance) for standard 2D content, though individual face shapes will naturally affect results. Like most optical systems, clarity is best at the center of the image, and I did notice slight softness in the lower-right corner when reading text. This does not matter for video.

Brightness is sufficient even outdoors on a sunny day with the lenses set to their most transparent mode. Indoors or on a plane, I usually darken the lenses as much as possible. I am not convinced extreme brightness levels are necessary here, as comfort matters more than raw luminance.

In both “Follow” and “Anchor” modes, head movement feels natural, and I experienced no motion sickness or discomfort. For video, I prefer Follow mode. Anchor mode would be more compelling if virtual multi-monitor setups were supported.

Manufacturer-Pitched Use Cases

XREAL positions the 1S as a lifestyle device, emphasizing watching TV, playing games, and enjoying content on the go. This framing is appropriate. The idea of having a large virtual screen anywhere, especially when you do not own a large television or are traveling, is compelling.

Travel is a use case I recommend in addition to the above, provided you are willing to carry the glasses. I do not use the original carrying case, which is fairly large, and instead rely on a standard glasses case for convenience.

Real-World Use: What Actually Works

In practice, video consumption, gaming and travel are where the XREAL 1S feels most natural. Watching movies or shows, whether at home or on the road, is the device’s strongest use case. It is not designed to replace a work monitor, and it should not be evaluated as such.

I regularly used the glasses for sessions lasting around two hours. There is some eye strain simply from wearing a display on your face, which is inherently less natural than looking at a distant screen, but I found it manageable and not a barrier to daily use for entertainment.

Gaming is more nuanced. Depending on the genre, the XREAL 1S can be an excellent alternative to a portable monitor. Some games benefit greatly from immersion, especially those focused on exploration or cinematic presentation. Others, such as real-time strategy games, feel better on a traditional monitor where precision and peripheral awareness matter more.

I never felt the need to use headphones

Audio quality is good for casual use. At home, dialogue is clear, and I never felt the need to use headphones. The open-ear design is part of the appeal, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings. For concerts or music-focused content, dedicated headphones still deliver better immersion, but the option is always there.

Gaming tests included smartphone use and a Lenovo Legion Go handheld gaming PC. On the Legion Go, games need to be run in non-exclusive mode for screen mirroring to work properly. In both cases, immersion was excellent. Gameplay felt smooth at 60 Hz, and while I did not consistently hit 120 Hz in my tests, there were no obvious latency issues that would detract from casual gaming.

Overall, XREAL is setting expectations correctly by pitching the 1S as an entertainment and lifestyle device, not a professional productivity tool.

Compatibility, Setup, and Ecosystem

Our XREAL 1S was tested with Android smartphones, an iPad mini 6, an Amazon Fire TV Stick, and the Lenovo Legion Go portable gaming PC. Setup is generally straightforward. The glasses behave like an external monitor, and most users will only need to learn how to navigate the onboard menu, similar to setting up a new TV.

Adapters are sometimes required. Using the Fire TV Stick required an HDMI-to-USB-C adapter that generated noticeable heat. Power draw from a smartphone measured between 2.2 and 2.5 watts during video playback.

This does drain the phone faster but not a blocker for meaningful use. It is still possible to watch several hours of content. For extended sessions, I recharge my phone every three to four hours or use USB-C splitters that allow charging and display output simultaneously, like this XREAL accessory.

XREAL thought of this, and you could also purchase the XREAL Neo, a 10,000 mAh. It functions as a DisplayPort pass-through hub while delivering up to 20 W on battery, which is enough to maintain or slowly recharge a phone, handheld console, or PC during use.

No app or software is required for basic operation, which makes the experience truly plug and play. Firmware updates are easy to apply via a computer, and past XREAL products have received multiple updates post-launch, including major feature improvements.

XREAL 1S vs XREAL One

The visual quality improvement is noticeable, but not transformative. It is not enough to justify an upgrade if you already own last year’s model, especially if you are satisfied with it.

There are many small refinements, including interface improvements, but the overall experience and market positioning remain largely unchanged. One ongoing frustration is audio mode handling with my Fire TV. Automatically switching and remembering audio settings would significantly improve usability for that use case..

Who Should Buy It, and Who Should Not

The XREAL 1S is best suited for video enthusiasts and gamers who value immersion and portability. It works well as a virtual TV or display replacement for entertainment, especially during travel.

If you already own the previous generation, there is little reason to upgrade. The improvements are real but incremental.

If you are looking for a work monitor replacement, or expect a full AR or VR experience with spatial interaction, this is not the right product.

Conclusion and XREAL 1S price

The XREAL 1S, priced at $449 at publication time, is an excellent portable virtual display for video entertainment and gaming. It shines during travel and casual home use, delivering a convincing large-screen experience in an extremely compact form factor. It is not designed for productivity, and it should not be judged as a traditional AR or VR headset. If you understand its role and limitations, the XREAL 1S delivers exactly what it promises.

Highs

Large, sharp virtual display that works reliably across devices
Very low perceived latency improves comfort and usability
Comfortable for extended casual sessions
Simple plug-and-play experience

Lows

Fully dependent on a connected device
Not designed for advanced multitasking workflows
Built-in audio is functional, not immersive

Rating + Price

Rating: 8.8/10
Price: ~$449

Filed in Computers >Gaming >Home. Read more about Displays and Televisions.

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Eliane Fiolet

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January 4, 2026

Xreal updates its entry-level personal cinema glasses at CES

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If you’ve been on the fence about trying the sort of “AR glasses” that, until recently, were called “personal cinemas,” then check this out. Xreal has turned up to CES 2026 with an updated version of its entry level Xreal One glasses, first launched at the end of 2024. The new model, dubbed the 1S (yes, with a numeral rather than the word) gets marginally better specs and $50 knocked from the asking price.

If you’re unfamiliar, One is a wearable spatial display that connects over USB-C to any compatible device including smartphones, tablets, laptops and consoles. It has two teeny-tiny displays in the eyecups that, when worn close to the eyes, trick your brain into thinking you’re looking at a big screen. The average would measure in at around 171 inches, but it’s possible to push the view to a screen closer to 500 inches if your eyes are capable of focusing that far.

As for the changes, they’re all firmly in the welcome nip-and-tuck department, boosting many of the original’s key specs. For instance, the 1080p screens have been swapped out for 1200p full HD, while the field of view has gone from 50 degrees to 52. Brightness has been boosted from 600 nits on the old model to 700 nits here, while the aspect ratio has grown from 16×9 to 16×10. But the change Xreal is arguably most proud of is the drop in price, from $499 down to $449.

At the same time, the company is launching the Xreal Neo, an external battery-cum-DisplayPort hub for your glasses. Inside you’ll find a 10,000mAh power bank to keep your glasses going for longer and, more importantly, offers better connection for your Switch consoles. After all, before now, if you wanted to play with your Switch or Switch 2, you’d need to hook it up to its own dock. With the Neo, however, you can eliminate that from your bag when you’re playing out and about. That’s available as a standalone purchase for $99 which, like the new 1S, are ready to buy right now.

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Daniel Cooper

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January 4, 2026
Treat yourself: The best smart glasses to buy with your holiday gift money | TechCrunch

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Although smart glasses have been around for a while, the technology is getting more advanced each year, so much so that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims the wearables will replace smartphones in the next decade (though many people disagree, of course).

Smart glasses are no longer just a futuristic gadget — they’ve become practical tools that people use to communicate, navigate, track fitness, watch movies, enjoy immersive gaming, and more.

Whether you’re looking to get a pair for yourself, buy one as a gift, or simply explore what’s available on the market today, we’ve compiled a list of the most compelling options. This list features smart glasses with and without displays, designed for everyday wear, sports, work, and gaming.

We’ve also highlighted upcoming launches to watch as the smart glasses market heats up.

Image Credits:Meta

The nice thing about the Ray-Ban Meta glasses is that they look like regular glasses, which is great for people who don’t want to compromise on aesthetics. The smart glasses come in many styles, so you can pick a pair based on your personal style.

The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses have a 12-megapixel camera, open-ear speakers, and five microphones. They offer twice the battery life of their predecessor, lasting up to eight hours with typical use. They can charge to 50% in just 20 minutes, and you can purchase a case that provides an additional 48 hours of battery life.

The glasses feature 3K Ultra HD video capture, which is two times more pixels than the previous generation. They come with 32GB of storage and an IPX4 water-resistance rating, which means they’re protected in light rain.

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They also have a slew of AI features, including the ability to say “Hey Meta” to do things like get information and set reminders, along with real-time translation, hands-free photo and video capture, the option to ask about what you’re seeing, and more.

The glasses cost $379.

Viture Luma Pro

Image Credits:Viture

The Viture Luma Pro glasses offer one of the best displays on smart glasses available right now. They feature Sony’s micro-OLED panels to deliver a crisp 1200p image on a 152-inch virtual screen, with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a wide 52-degree field of view, and up to 1,000 nits of perceived brightness. (Nits measure screen brightness — higher numbers mean you can see the display more clearly in bright environments.)

You can plug the Luma Pro XR glasses into many phones, tablets, handhelds, and laptops with USB-C to mirror their display. This makes them a great option for people who want to game on a large, immersive screen, whether they’re on the go or the TV is in use. They’re also useful for frequent travelers and people who want a virtual multi-screen setup for work.

They come with built-in support for mild myopia, allowing users with up to -4.0 diopters of nearsightedness to experience a clear virtual display without needing prescription lenses.

In terms of aesthetics, they’re a bit chunky, but not overly bulky.

They retail for $499 (currently on sale for $449).

Xreal One Pro

Image Credits:Xreal

The Xreal One Pro smart glasses are one of the most premium models available on the market right now, with a $649 price tag. They’re a good choice for people who are already familiar with smart glasses and want an upgrade.

The glasses’ flat-prism design allows for a sleek and comfortable fit. They feature a virtual display of up to 171 inches, with 1080p resolution, a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, and a 57-degree field of view.

The Xreal One Pro smart glasses come with built-in Bose speakers and 700 nits of brightness, allowing for use in brighter environments.

They are built on Xreal’s custom X1 chip, which enables 3DoF (Three Degrees of Freedom). This means the glasses track your head’s rotational movements, keeping virtual content pinned in space relative to your head. In short, if you turn your head, the virtual screen stays in place rather than moving with you.

They feature a built-in button array that lets you quickly change your screen size, distance, color temperature, and more.

Image Credits:Meta

The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are the best option for outdoorsy people and athletes, as they were specifically designed with them in mind. The glasses can capture video in up to 3K resolution and feature a 12-megapixel camera with a 122-degree wide-angle lens.

The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses feature a programmable button that can trigger a custom AI prompt, which you can set up using the Meta AI app. All the buttons on the glasses are located underneath to allow athletes to wear helmets comfortably while using them.

They offer up to nine hours of battery life, or up to six hours of continuous music playback.

The glasses come with a charging case that can provide an additional 36 hours of charge on the go. Plus, you can charge the glasses to 50% in 20 minutes via the charging case.

They also feature a five-microphone array optimized to reduce wind noise while on calls, messaging, or using Meta AI with your voice. The glasses have an IP67 dust and water-resistance rating for use during intense workouts (this rating means they can withstand being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes).

The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses cost $499.

RayNeo Air 3s

Image Credits:RayNeo

The RayNeo Air 3s are a great budget-friendly choice for anyone just getting started with smart glasses. They offer impressive visuals and features for the price and are great for light gaming or watching content on long journeys.

They feature micro‑OLED displays that create a virtual 201‑inch screen at 1080p resolution, with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a 46-degree field of view, and about 650 nits of perceived brightness.

While the field of view is narrower than some premium models and they don’t have head tracking, they’re a good option for people who simply want an external display on the go without breaking the bank.

The glasses use a micro‑OLED “HueView” display with eye protection features like 3840 Hz hybrid dimming and low blue‑light certification to reduce eye strain during extended use.

The RayNeo Air 3s cost $269 (currently on sale for $219).

Upcoming launches to keep your eye on

Project Aura: Google and Xreal are collaborating on a pair of Android XR-powered glasses that are equipped with a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology. The glasses can function as an extended workspace or entertainment device, allowing the user to use Google’s suite of products or stream video as they would on a more advanced headset. The glasses are launching next year.

Snap Specs: Snap is set to release a lightweight consumer version of its AR glasses in 2026, bringing many of the same augmented reality and AI features found in the developer-focused Spectacles 5. The new glasses are expected to be smaller and lighter, making them more discreet and comfortable to wear in public compared to their bulky predecessors.

Apple AI smart glasses: Apple is reportedly sidelining plans to overhaul its Vision Pro headset to focus on developing AI smart glasses that can compete with products from Meta. They will have many of the same features available on the social media giant’s current smart glasses. The glasses are expected to debut in 2026.

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Aisha Malik

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December 26, 2025
Black Friday deal: Get $50 off the Xreal One Pro smart glasses

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If you’ve been thinking about jumping on the smart glasses bandwagon, Black Friday deals could help you do so for less. Xreal has discounted its One Pro smart glasses by $50 for Black Friday, bringing them down to $599. The sale applies to both sizes.

These glasses are the real deal. We praised them in our official review, saying they offer similar functionality to the Apple Vision Pro, but at a much friendlier price point. Wearing these glasses allows access to a massive 222-inch virtual display that can be used for just about anything. The glasses connect to laptops, gaming consoles and smartphones, among other gadgets.

Xreal

The 1080p Micro-OLED screens are surprisingly bright and sharp, which makes this device great for both work and consuming content. The frames even darken to give the illusion of wearing sunglasses.

The glasses are light and comfortable, especially when compared to the Vision Pro. However, the comfort does come at a price. These oversized glasses are not as immersive as Apple’s product, because they don’t completely block out light and cover the entire face. They offer a 57-degree field of view. This is squarely an augmented reality product and not a virtual reality product.

The company has also discounted its Xreal One AR glasses to $399, which is a discount of around $100. These offer smaller virtual screens than the Pro, with a 50-degree field of view.

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Lawrence Bonk

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November 22, 2025
Xreal’s One Pro intrigues me in ways Meta’s smart glasses don’t
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There I was, sitting on the couch in a nondescript suburban cafe, typing away on a MacBook Pro while staring off into the distance with what looked to be oversized glasses (which also were conspicuously plugged into the computer). To most people, I probably looked a bit silly. Nobody actually commented on my setup, or maybe I was just too focused to notice. From my perspective, I was looking at a massive 222-inch virtual display through Xreal’s One Pro smart glasses, which was mirroring my laptop screen.

Like a visual version of noise canceling, the glasses blotted out the chaos of the cafe so that I could actually concentrate on writing this review. I could also darken the frames a bit to serve as pseudo-sunglasses, further removing distractions. This work session in particular made the idea of smart glasses seem more compelling than anything in Meta’s failure-prone demo for the Ray-Ban Display.
Xreal

Xreal’s One Pro smart glasses can let you use almost any device, including smartphones, on a large virtual display. They’re comfortable to wear and their 1080p Micro-OLED screens are surprisingly bright and sharp.

Pros

Excellent Micro-OLED displays

Light and comfortable to wear

Cons

Price doesn’t include prescription lenses

Doesn’t work with Switch 2

$649 at Amazon
With the One Pro, Xreal is close to making the dream of versatile smart glasses a reality. It’s not trying to be something you wear all day, an aspiration Meta is desperately chasing — instead, it’s meant for specific purposes. Plug the One Pro into your laptop and you can use it as a virtual monitor nobody else can see. Connect it to your phone or tablet and you’ve got your very own personal theater wherever you go. You can even hook it up to some portable game consoles (but not the Switch 2, unfortunately) to play on the move.

The Xreal One Pro smart glasses look very similar to oversized sunglasses.

(Devindra Hardawar for Engadget)

Sure, the Xreal One Pro still looks clunky, with its oversized frames, thick arms and annoying USB-C cable. But at $650, it’s also significantly less expensive than the Apple Vision Pro and easier to travel with than any VR headset. And at this point, it’s vastly more useful than the Ray-Ban Display, since its displays work across both of your eyes and can easily mimic a full-sized TV or monitor. Meta’s smart glasses can only show you a very limited amount of information in its single screen.

To be clear, that lines up with the different use case for each product: The Xreal One Pro is more of a monitor you wear on your face while stationary, whereas the Ran-Ban Display glasses aim to overlay your real-time point of view with basic phone notifications and services. Those frames are also meant to be more independent, allowing you to listen to music, take calls and capture photos and videos at a whim. But after seeing Mark Zuckerberg and his team try (and mostly fail) to demonstrate the Ray-Ban Display at its Connect developer conference, I also think the camera-less Xreal One Pro avoids ethical dilemmas inherent in most smart glasses.

Should we normalize wearable devices that can covertly record us at all times? And on a practical level, do we really want to walk around with virtual notifications in our faces all day? Personally, I think we’re better off with specialized tools that leave us in control, and don’t upend our entire social structure.

Xreal One Pro smart glasses

(Devindra Hardawar for Engadget)

At the most basic level, Xreal’s One Pro smart glasses are just virtual displays you can wear anywhere. You can unlock more augmented reality capabilities with the $99 Xreal Eye camera accessory, but it’s not exactly necessary. The One Pro features dual 0.55-inch Sony Micro-OLED screens running at 1080p with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 57-degree field of view (FOV), the widest we’ve seen yet from Xreal. Modern VR headsets like the Quest 3 typically offer a much more expansive 110-degree FOV, but they also trap you in a dark void.

The One Pro, and all of Xreal’s frames, still let you see the real world outside of its AR screens, and they don’t block out ambient light. But there are also several shades you can use to darken the glasses themselves, which make the virtual display appear brighter and more distinct. At the darkest level, the One Pro can appear almost entirely black, something that’s great for movies. There’s also a helpful auto transparency mode that undims the displays when you look away from your virtual screen.

Xreal One Pro smart glasses

(Devindra Hardawar for Engadget)

Bose mini-speakers are built into the arms of the glasses, as well as buttons for managing brightness and settings. A single USB-C port sits at the end of the left arm. I figured the cable would be a pain during extended sessions, but most of the time I quickly forgot it was there. Consequently, there’s no wireless support — something I’m totally fine with, since that would inevitably require batteries and additional weight on the glasses. At 87 grams, the One Pro weighs about the same as a deck of playing guards. It sat on my face comfortably, thanks to its sturdy nose pads, and I was able to wear it for hours without much issue.

Since the Xreal One Pro is fashioned after sunglasses, they can’t sit atop normal eyewear like the Quest 3 and other VR headsets. If you have a glasses prescription, you’ll need to buy inserts from HonsVR, which start at $50. They’re a bit annoying to install, but otherwise they did a fine job of letting me see the One Pro’s displays clearly. They do make sharing the glasses annoying, though, since the inserts will need to be removed every time you do so. I’d also be worried about something getting bent or broken with constant removals.

I mostly used the Xreal One Pro as a virtual display while working on laptops, but I also found them incredibly helpful for watching movies and videos when away from home. On the many occasions where I was stuck waiting for my family in the hellscape of a suburban parking lot, all I had to do was put on the Xreal One Pro, plug it into my phone and I could be watching anything on a massive virtual screen.

It was even more helpful while traveling. I could never muster the bravery to wear an Apple Vision Pro on a flight, or justify stuffing it into a bookbag. But that wasn’t a problem at all with the Xreal One Pro, as its bulbous traveling case can fit almost anywhere. Having a portable virtual display you can deploy instantly honestly feels like a superpower.

Xreal One Pro smart glasses

(Devindra Hardawar for Engadget)

As someone who’s picky about displays, I was surprised how bold and colorful the glasses were when I cranked up the brightness and background shade settings. I’d definitely love to see what sharper 4K screens could look like, but even at 1080p per eye, the Xreal One Pro delivered decently clear text and detailed imagery. Its built-in Bose speakers were also surprisingly clear while watching videos or playing some background tunes. (I would always use my AirPods Pro if I really wanted to immerse myself in the movies I was watching, though.)

In a pinch, the Xreal One Pro were helpful gaming accessories too. At home, I’d rather be staring at my 4K Alienware computer monitor, or the Steam Deck OLED’s native screen. But for slower-paced titles, it was nice to game on a large virtual screen just by plugging the glasses into my Steam Deck.

Getting the device connected to the original Nintendo Switch takes some work though, as it only works when connected to a dock and using an accessory like the Xreal Hub. Unfortunately, the Switch 2 doesn’t work with the One Pro at all right now (unless you start daisy chaining USB-C and HDMI adapters). Xreal says its upcoming Neo accessory will offer video pass-through for the Switch 2, but there’s no word on when that will arrive.

The more I used the Xreal One Pro, the more impressed I was by its sheer versatility. Its only major downsides are its $650 price (up from $600 originally), as well as the fact that you’ll never look cool wearing it. And no, you won’t be walking around while wearing the One Pro, like you could with Meta’s Ray-Ban Display. But hey, that also means you won’t have to worry about people calling you a pervert for wearing spy glasses.
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September 25, 2025
XReal introduces a $200 device that brings Android apps to its AR glasses | TechCrunch

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XReal has largely flown under the radar here in the States. The Beijing firm’s Air 2 Pro AR glasses got a bit of review love late last year, but the product is seldomly mentioned among the Metas, Apples and HTCs of the world when discussing mixed reality.

This week at the AWE (Augmented World Expo) conference in Southern California, the company is showcasing the Beam Pro. The $200 device looks like an Android phone and quacks like an Android phone, but it’s not really an Android phone. Instead, it’s a mobile device designed specifically for Xreal’s glasses.

In essence, the Beam Pro is designed to deliver Google Play apps to the glasses in “3D space.” Xreal writes: “As the ultimate companion device for Xreal glasses, Xreal Beam Pro gives users a simple way to access all their favorite apps, social media content, streaming entertainment, professional needs, and gaming platforms in a stunning 3D-aware AR environment.”

The Snapdragon-powered device runs Android 14 and features a pair of 50-megapixel cameras for taking 3D images and spatial videos, but it’s extremely purpose built and not looking to replace your handset. It’s a unique approach, certainly — one that harkens back to a bygone era when people owned iPod Touches in addition to iPhones. There’s a little bit of Amazon Fire Phone DNA in there by way of the 3D cameras, but the less said about that, the better.

“The average user will instantly recognize the smartphone-like form factor,” the company writes. “In terms of connectivity, Xreal Beam Pro offers dual USB ports for simultaneous use with Xreal glasses while charging. 27W fast charging means battery anxiety during a binge-watching or gaming session is a thing of the past.”

Other specs are what one would expect from a $200 device. That includes a 6.5-inch (2400 x 1080) display, 6 or 8GB of RAM and 128 or 256GB of storage — not exactly flagship numbers there. There’s a Wi-Fi-only option, as well as one with 5G, as which point we’re pretty much talking about a phone.

Xreal built its NebulaOS proprietary software layer on top of Android. The skin is designed to deliver 2D apps in 3D, while offering a unique way to interface with the system.

“It’s exciting to see companies like XREAL bring new devices to the ecosystem, making AR more accessible,” Qualcomm Senior Director Sahil Bansal said in a statement. Other big names involved include Nvidia by way of the off-device CloudXR tech and Amazon Web services.

The Beam Pro is up for sale now in the U.S., China, Japan and parts of Europe through the Xreal site. It hits Amazon next month.

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Brian Heater

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June 18, 2024
CES 2024: Xreal Unveils Air 2 Ultra – Gadget Advisor

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Xreal, formerly known as Nreal, has unveiled a slightly more advanced version of their AR glasses, the Air 2, which was released last year.

The new model, called Air 2 Ultra, aims to compete with both the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. The AR glasses use projection technology to display augmented reality in front of the user’s eyes. The resolution is said to be 1080p per eye. Air 2 Ultra is also equipped with technology to track the user’s position and hand movements, as well as 3D cameras that can register the environment the user is in.

Xreal’s Air 2 Ultra will be priced at 700 dollars, with deliveries starting in March.

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David Brooks

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January 8, 2024