While companies like Apple, Meta, and others continue to develop full-body augmented reality (AR) headsets, Nreal has been offering far more compact AR glasses since 2021. After a month in China, the business, which has changed its name to Xreal, has just debuted a new model dubbed the Xreal Air 2 in Europe and the US. The business also debuted the Xreal Air 2 Pro with electrochromic dimming, allowing users to choose the level of immersion from zero to one hundred percent. It delivers better displays and more comfort.
The Air 2 glasses, according to Xreal (the X stands for extra, the business claimed), “turn whatever the wearer is viewing into a big screen experience, up to 330 inches.” In order to achieve this, it uses Sony’s most recent 0.55-inch Micro-OLED display rather than the 0.68-inch Micro-OLED that was previously employed (Apple also makes use of Micro-OLED technology in its Vision Pro mixed reality headset). Similar as before, it can display full HD (1,920 x 1,080) with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz per eye. In addition to having a greater resolution, it is also brighter, with 500 nits as opposed to 400 nits on the first Nreal Air.
According to Xreal, the Air 2 is also 10% lighter and thinner (from 79 grams to 72 grams, which is actually 8.9% by my calculations). Additionally, it has updated “AirFit” nose pads, improved elastic temples, and softer materials. According to the business, all of it is intended to increase comfort and enable extended use when watching movies and other entertainment. Since there is no wifi option and it connects to devices via USB-C with video (DisplayPort) output, you are practically connected to that device.
$400 augmented reality glasses from Xreal are now available in the US.
By adding “spatial wrap-around auto delivery” through an open ear design that is aimed at the wearer, Xreal Xreal enhanced the audio speaker system. “This brings enhanced privacy and minimizes disruption to others when in public spaces,” the business stated. Given that the Xreal Air 2 allows you to take audio from a smartphone or tablet, it also enhances voice and video chats.
The Xreal Air 2 Pro is the most desirable model. It introduces electrochromic dimming, which offers three settings, one of which is clear and blocks all light so you may use the glasses while still being able to see outside. While “immersive mode” completely shuts out all light for gaming, entertainment, etc., “productivity mode” just filters out 35% of it so you may concentrate better without completely blocking out your surroundings.
Similar to the first Nreal Air, the Xreal Air 2 appears to be primarily designed for YouTube video viewers, casual gamers, moviegoers, etc. It practically functions as a personal projector, with the screen moving as you move your head (hello, motion sickness), since there are no cameras or motion sensors incorporated. The Xreal Beam ($119) addon adds gyroscopic tracking and maintains the screen in place while you move, and it also offers extra wired connectivity choices that reportedly lower latency. The device, which is lighter and more comfy than the original Air, reportedly functions in a similar manner.
The Xreal Air 2 is quite pricey at $399 (in black or red), while the Air 2 Pro costs $449, considering what it can’t do. The Xreal Beam is required for complete functioning, which raises the cost from the Meta Quest 3 to $518 and $568, respectively. In November 2023, shipping is anticipated to begin in the US and the UK, and in December throughout the rest of Europe.
