One interesting AR alternative Apple’s Vision Pro headset is entering the mainstream market with, Xreal today announced the Air 2 Ultra AR glasses, which will be priced at 3,999 yuan (515 euros) and available in China. And, of course, they’re an understated design – they’re meant to make AR hipper to the mass market. That approach might just change everything.
High-tech AR modern design
Xreal’s Air 2 Ultra glasses are in the shape of classic sunglasses and look little to nothing like bulky headsets, which will make them super practical to be worn in everyday life. In areas where AR still feels far away, this may be what it takes for people to embrace its adoption.
The 6DOF capability makes the glasses track positions very accurately to detect motion in all directions-up, down, left, right, forward, and backward, plus rotations. This, in turn, provides users with an effortless integration with virtual elements and the real world through the tracking feature, therefore making it a more immersive AR experience. Adding this to its appeal is the fact that Xreal has fitted the glasses with dual 3D cameras on either side, mapping the user’s surroundings in real-time. This allows AR applications to dynamically interact with physical spaces, so you might envision virtual notes pinned to your fridge or interactive games that become real in your own home. It presents an exciting option for users who want an immersive AR experience without the weight and visibility of traditional headsets.
Impressive Specs with Some Practical Limits
The Air 2 Ultra’s specs on paper look pretty exciting: a 52-degree field of view, which is an increase from the previous model’s 46 degrees; 1080p resolution per eye; 500 nits of brightness; and a 120Hz refresh rate. Xreal also touts its 42 pixels per degree (PPD) resolution, outpacing competitors like the Meta Quest 3 at 25 PPD, and potentially even rivaling the Apple Vision Pro.
However, these specs only tell part of the story. The high resolution promises sharp images, but the relatively small field of view might make the experience feel a little claustrophobic. The 500 nits brightness is fine indoors but probably less effective in bright sunlight, which would be something to consider for outdoor use. The glasses weigh 83 grams, heavier than the previous model’s 72 grams. They’re lighter than most AR headsets, but they could become a little uncomfortable after long stretches of use.
Building a Bigger AR Ecosystem
Xreal recognizes that an AR device should be cross-platform compatible. The Air 2 Ultra glasses plug directly into macOS and Windows computers, Android devices, and the iPhone 15 through USB-C. Xreal’s Nebula AR ecosystem takes it to an even deeper level, supporting macOS, Windows, and Android, making the glasses versatile on a variety of devices.
At least on iPhones, functionality remains an incomplete screen mirroring via USB-C; that means the iPhone wouldn’t be capable of enjoying the full benefits of AR in ways Android users get to. This remains a testament that universal standards in AR will be required as the scenario remains fragmented today.
Air 2 Ultra glasses recently support the spatial video format, newly released on the iPhone 15 Pro. So, users can capture 3D videos on their iPhones and then play them back on the Air 2 Ultra for an immersive playback experience. Obviously, this feature is great but will pick up only if users take the spatial video format very fast.
A New Angle in Wearable Tech
An affordable price, broad device compatibility, and approachable design indeed make an impressive entry for Xreal’s Air 2 Ultra into the AR world, claiming a sizeable chunk of market share from big brands. While the more premium Apple Vision Pro sets the bar, Air 2 Ultra is a practical option for an immersive AR experience at an accessible price. If Xreal’s strategy plays out then, it may well redefine wearable tech and make AR more practical and available to mass markets.
