The XReal Beam Pro is just one of the newest devices introduced by XReal, a company quickly making a name for itself in the extended reality market. On the surface, the device might look like a standard smartphone, but it’s actually a unique companion tool for XReal’s AR glasses.
After all, XReal’s augmented reality glasses are lightweight, intuitive, and even stylish. But, unlike full mixed reality headsets, like the Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3, these glasses don’t feature any built-in content or software for XR experiences. They really just give you a screen you can use to access this content in an immersive environment.
Like the XReal Beam before it, the XReal Beam Pro bridges the gap, running a customized version of Android 14 (NebulaOS) to enable access to spatial computing environments.
Here’s our complete review (and behind-the-scenes guide) of the XReal Beam Pro.
What is the XReal Beam Pro?
The XReal Beam Pro is a handheld device compatible with XReal smart glasses that unlocks the full spatial computing capabilities of your AR specs. It looks like a phone and even gives you access to Wi-Fi and 5G, but it’s actually more of a “controller” for your smart glasses.
The Beam Pro eliminates the need to plug your specs into your smartphone or an external battery pack. The solution is really just an upgraded version of the XReal Beam, which XReal said 70% of users chose to purchase with their XReal headsets.
It offers similar functionality, such as wireless and wired connectivity options, two USB C ports for simultaneous charging and app access, and integrated spatial display modes. However, as XReal noted at AWE 2024, the design has been transformed.
For the Beam Pro, XReal chose an intuitive, simple design. Working with companies like Qualcomm and Nvidia, XReal created a powerful tool that allows users to control their XR experiences. With a few taps, you can download applications straight to the device, capture 3D content using built-in cameras, and even adjust the view on your specs.
XReal Beam Pro: The Specs
XReal often goes above and beyond to ensure its AR glasses and accessories feature the latest technology, and the Beam Pro is no exception. Notably, the company says the device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon spatial companion processor and has its own dedicated operating system based on Android 14. Specs include:
- 6GB+128GB / 8GB+256GB Wi-Fi
- 4 inch 1080×2400 LCD display
- 60Hz refresh rate
- IP54 water and dust resistance
- Dual 50-megapixel 3D cameras
- 8MP front-facing camera
- 12M Stereo megapixel video recording
- HEVC, H2.64 video playback
- Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity (Only on the 8GB version)
- 4300mAh battery
- Proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, gyro and compass sensors
- Up to 1TB of external storage
- Spatial mouse controls
The integrated main camera is particularly impressive, featuring not just 3D capabilities but wide-angle distortion correction and electronic image stabilization.
Pricing and Availability
The XReal Beam Pro is surprisingly affordable. The 128GB version starts at $199, with discounts available for new users. The 256GB version will set you back around $249. As they did with the initial XReal Beam, the company also offers discounted “package bundles.”
This means you can buy a Beam Pro and an XReal headset, like the Air 2 Pro, for as little as $602. The company has also suggested that an “Enterprise edition” of the accessory will be available in the future, but no details are available for this yet.
Currently, the Beam Pro is available to pre-order in various regions worldwide, from the United States to the United Kingdom. The company plans to sell its products through Amazon and on its official website.
Functionality and Performance
As mentioned above, the Beam Pro isn’t just a simple smartphone designed for AR experiences, it’s a companion accessory XReal beliefs will become the ultimate spatial computing device. The customized Nebula operating system provides full access to the Google Play store, where users can download and customize apps to enjoy on their XReal glasses.
When your glasses are plugged in, the Beam Pro screen doubles as a control trackpad, allowing you to experiment with content layout and interact with different apps. Plus, all of the data from your apps is stored directly on the device.
The XReal Beam Pro differentiates itself from most smartphones with a few specific features. The dual cameras on the back of the device can shoot 50-megapixel spatial videos and photos you can review on your XReal specs. Plus, it can consistently charge your glasses, ensuring you don’t run out of battery mid-way through an immersive experience.
Most importantly, the device gives you full control to turn any Android app experience into a spatial adventure, delivering content with an impressive 90Hz refresh rate and low latency. You can even explore immersive 3DoF and 6DoF environments with intuitive spatial models.
The XReal Beam Pro Spatial Experience
On a broad level, the XReal Beam Pro unlocks instant access to customizable spatial experiences, via the Android apps you use every day. The custom spatial UI built on NebulaOS makes it simple to transform millions of 2D apps with immersive experiences.
You’re not just getting a standard screen mirroring experience here as you would with most early AR smart specs. Instead, users can access mobile apps in a spatial canvas, multitask with apps placed side-by-side, and navigate through the canvas using their Beam Pro as a touchpad and pointer.
You can fix the screens uploaded onto your smart glasses into position, with the XReal Body Anchor mode, a feature made popular by the original XReal Beam. Alternatively, you can choose to have content follow your eyes around in Smooth Follow mode.
The exact experience you’ll get will vary depending on your XReal glasses, however. The XReal Air, Air 2, and Air 2 Pro glasses deliver out-of-the-box 3DoF environments. Alternatively, the XReal Air 2 ultra takes things to the next level with 6DoF.
As mentioned above, you can also use the Beam Pro to create and interact with your own spatial content using the integrated cameras. These cameras record video at 1080p, 60FPS, which ensures a buttery-smooth experience. Plus, you can replay anything on your smart glasses with a huge virtual screen.
Fixing Issues with AR Smart Glasses
Clearly, XReal created the Beam Pro to address some of the common issues most users face with standard smart specs. With most smart glasses, you’ll need to plug your specs into a smartphone to use them, quickly draining the connected device’s battery life.
The two USB ports on the Beam Pro address this problem, allowing you to charge your device and connect to your headset simultaneously. The other major issue the Beam Pro overcomes is a lack of access to built-in content. Even glasses that provide access to AR libraries through connected software only offer a limited number of spatial computing experiences.
With the Pro, you can easily transform standard 2D apps into spatial computing experiences, which gives you more freedom to enjoy more of the apps you love in a unique way.
XReal believes that the Beam Pro will meet the vast majority of user needs when it comes to accessing truly powerful AR experiences with wearables. The question is, will the Beam Pro be a compelling alternative to all-in-one options like the Apple Vision Pro?
Enabling Unique Spatial Computing Experiences
The Beam Pro certainly seems like a big step forward from the initial Beam, which basically just gave users a standard remote control for their glasses. This product definitely solved some usability issues, but many users did complain that the device was a little fiddly to use.
The XReal Beam Pro, on the other hand, is likely to be much more intuitive, thanks to its integrated screen (which makes navigation much easier). Plus, the included camera and unique operating system mean the Beam Pro is far more than just an alternative to your standard smartphone.
You can still plug your glasses into a smartphone if you prefer, but the Beam Pro will give you access to more options to convert 2D apps into spatial solutions, record spatial videos, and experiment with new augmented reality experiences.
Obviously, the spatial experience offered by XReal is a lot less integrated than what you’d get from Apple and Meta. Many innovators in this area are determined to stick to the “headset” approach, rather than offering more lightweight alternatives like XReal’s specs.
However, if you’re looking for a comfortable, ergonomic, and more affordable spatial computing experience, XReal’s solution is definitely worth considering.
The only potential issue I foresee with XReal’s strategy is that new smartphone manufacturers may decide to implement their own software and solutions for AR glasses in the future, particularly as these devices become more popular.
If this happens, a solution like the Beam Pro might seem less valuable, although it’s likely to be much cheaper than a state-of-the-art smartphone, even if you include the price of XReal’s specs.
