This week, XREAL is closing the year by announcing a new AR smart glasses product, just as the market is set to skyrocket in the new year.
The firm is debuting two new AR smart glasses models, the XREAL One Series and a Pro variant, which will ship to buyers worldwide in the coming months, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Netherlands, China, Japan, and Korea.
The firm is cementing its modern legacy in the AR smart glasses market by unveiling the XREAL One Series, an XR wearable that the company calls the “biggest leap forward for the consumer AR industry.”
Chi Xu, CEO and Co-founder of XREAL stated, “the XREAL One Series represents the most advanced consumer AR glasses on the market today.” Notably, to make Xu’s comments accurate, the device leverages XREAL’s equally debuting first-party X1 co-processor, which the firm developed explicitly to power spatial computing services.
Xu explained:
With the X1 chip, we’re introducing our biggest innovation since pioneering lightweight, portable, tethered AR glasses. X1 is the result of over three years of cutting-edge research and development, culminating in the world’s first customized silicon designed specifically for OST AR glasses.
Despite the new co-processor, the device must be connected to an external computing device, such as an iPhone, Android smartphone, Steam Deck, Windows PC, or MacBook.
However, the X1 optimises the new AR device’s display for a range of use cases, including running immersive apps, games, and websites. It also empowers workers’ productivity tools and communications platforms that developers built with XREAL’s SDK.
Moreover, XU noted that the new co-processor is “a transformative moment for XREAL customers” due to allowing XREAL to power “the kind of spatial computing we’ve always envisioned and that customers have been eagerly waiting for.”
Xu also added:
I’m thrilled for everyone to experience the XREAL One Series and see the X1 chip in action. It’s a true game-changer.
Other features of the device include a three degrees-of-freedom spatial display, various interpupillary distance (IPD) ranges, TÜV Rheinland eye health certifications, official Bose sound integration, an optional modular multimodal AI camera, 1080p Full HD for each eye, 57-66mm and 66-75mm IPD ranges, 50-degree field-of-view, support for prescription inserts, 120Hz refresh rate, a modular interchangeable front frame, 84 grams – 87 grams weight, and four integrated microphones.
Speaking on the One Series feature, Xu explained:
We’re pioneering a super large 57-degree FOV, which is an incredibly wide FOV for OST head worn devices and a better option than heavy VST headsets. XREAL One Series is bigger than just big, its also the most stable spatial screen in OST.
Moreover, regarding the IPD features, Dr Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD, a board-certified Ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained refractive specialist, contributed insight towards the One Series launch by noting that smart glasses which offer multiple IPD options are a “big deal.”
Hemmati added:
Mechanical adjustments to diopters can sometimes lead to user error if not properly calibrated, potentially resulting in asthenopia (eye strain) or discomfort during extended use. Pre-set software adjustable IPD and variable IPD physical sizes like XREAL is offering are safer and more comfortable choices for customers’ eye health.
Taking on the AR Smart Glasses Market
Additionally, the XREAL One Series AR smart glasses continue the company’s focus on providing quality virtual screens for enjoying media content or for productivity purposes.
XREAL notes that the latest One Series wearables ensure more stable and customizable virtual screens. Thanks to the X1 co-processor, they also boast faster refresh rates compared to other competing AR glasses.
For example, XREAL is directly targeting the Apple Vision Pro by stating that its spatial display has a superior latency compared to Apple’s device while also claiming a lighter form factor and design.
According to XREAL the One Series device has a ~3ms [at 120Hz] motion-to-photon (M2P) latency, meanwhile the Apple Vision Pro has a 12ms M2P latency.
Xu said:
Our world-leading low latency produces a super stable spatial display that’s surprising everyone who sees it. Plus, with the new TUV Rheinland Eye Comfort (5-Star) certification, you can expect a high level of eye comfort and safety from your new XREAL glasses. With these results, we’re now at the point where AR glasses’ spatial screens can truly replace physical monitors all day long.
Furthermore, Frank Holzmann, Global Vice President of TÜV Rheinland Electrical, stated that the XREAL One Series achieved a “significant milestone in eye comfort.”
Holzmann explained that the XREAL One Series product is the first augmented reality glasses to receive the “prestigious” TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort (5-Star) Certification.
“This certification is a testament to the advanced design and technology of XREAL One Series, offering users immersive AR experiences without compromising their eye health,” remarked Holzmann.
In addition to providing a new leading AR display, XREAL is also leveraging deep AI integrations, including a multimodal AI camera and audio recording features that provide meeting summaries, transcriptions, and translations.
As noted, Bose is providing sound integrations, which greatly enhance the device’s use as a tool for meetings with quality playback. Nick Smith, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Bose, noted that the device collaboration is a strategic move that sees the firm bring its “renowned audio capability to new categories and markets where sound matters.”
Smith also remarked:
Our audio tuning expertise creates a powerful and distinguished sound experience for the XREAL One Series. Content is more vibrant and lifelike, and we know consumers will hear the difference.
A final competitive feature that XREAL is debuting alognside the One Series is the XREAL Eye Camera.
The device is an accompanying accessory for the smart glasses product, which empowers users with a modular RGB camera attachment for capturing real-time 12MP high-definition photos and 1080p, 60fps video capture.
The XREAL Eye Camera seems to mirror video recording and sharing features seen in the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, again clearly placing itself alognside technology leaders o the competitive marketplace.
XREAL notes that the Eye Camera attachment will gain AI capabilities via future updates, including image recognition and voice command inputs.
XREAL opened a pro order for the One Series products. The cheaper model costs $499, £449, or €549, depending on the buyer’s region. For the Pro edition, XREAL is selling the device for $599, £549, and €649. The firm expects to ship the One Series device in mid-December, and the Pro model is expected to ship in early 2025.
