XREAL has recently unveiled the XREAL One Series of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses, a significant advancement aimed at providing users with immersive and cinematic spatial displays while ensuring comfort and lightness. At the heart of these new glasses is the X1 chip, a custom processor that has been under development for three years. This innovative chip plays a critical role in enabling the glasses to execute essential processing tasks independently, thereby eliminating latency concerns. This development is seen as a game-changer in the AR field, paving the way for enhanced performance and usability.
Early impressions of the XREAL One Series have been overwhelmingly positive, particularly in terms of the glasses’ lightweight design and comfort. Users have reported that the glasses fit securely on their faces without the need for adjustments, marking a significant improvement over previous iterations of AR display technology. Connecting the glasses to various devices through a USB-C connection, including the latest iPhone 15 and a MacBook Pro, has proven seamless, further enhancing the overall user experience. This connectivity facilitates a versatile usage that aligns with modern mobile lifestyles.
The XREAL One Series consists of two models: the standard XREAL One and the higher-end XREAL One Pro, priced at $499 and $599, respectively. Both models support three degrees of freedom (3DoF) spatial displays, making them compatible with a range of devices, including smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. The XREAL One will begin shipping in mid-December, while the Pro model is slated for early 2025. This scheduling indicates the company’s readiness to cater to a global audience eager for AR technology, with pre-orders already underway.
A notable feature of the new XREAL One Series is its enhanced field of view, which has been improved to 50 degrees in the standard model and 57 degrees in the Pro model. This capability provides users with the illusion of viewing a 140-inch high-definition monitor from just five feet away. The clarity of text and graphics has reached a level conducive to productivity, as users can rely on the glasses as a mobile monitor alternative. The concept of spatial screen anchoring, which allows the user to lock the display in place while moving their head, adds to the immersive experience, making interactions feel more intuitive and realistic.
The X1 chip is pivotal to these advancements, achieving a motion-to-photon latency of just 3 milliseconds, significantly enhancing visual performance. According to XREAL’s CEO, Chi Xu, this chip represents a fundamental shift in the company’s approach to AR hardware. By enabling critical computational tasks to be handled directly on the glasses, XREAL simplifies the user experience and addresses previous latency challenges, fostering a more fluid interaction. In addition, both models maintain a resolution of 1080p per eye and a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring high-quality visuals that meet consumers’ needs in both productivity and entertainment.
Aside from the technical specifications, XREAL is also keen on augmenting the functionality of the One Series through modular accessories like the XREAL Eye camera. This camera allows users to capture high-definition photos and videos, with future updates promising enhanced AI-driven functionalities such as image recognition and voice commands. XREAL envisions its One Series smart glasses as versatile tools that bridge both productivity and entertainment, aiming to transition AR from a niche technology to a mainstream device capable of potentially replacing traditional monitors. However, the company acknowledges that widespread AR adoption will take time. With a manufacturing capacity of 100,000 units per month, XREAL is well-positioned to meet the anticipated demand as consumers become more engaged with augmented reality experiences.
