Introduction
Product Overview
The XREAL Air AR Glasses are a groundbreaking piece of technology that offers a wide range of augmented reality experiences. With its innovative optic and computer vision technologies, these glasses provide three different levels of AR experience: Air Casting, Virtual Desktop, and AR Space. Whether you want to amplify your mobile, PC, or gaming experience, browse the web on a 201″ virtual screen, or explore spatial Internet, these glasses have you covered.
Key Features
One of the standout features of the XREAL Air AR Glasses is the massive 130″ spatial display in Air Casting mode. This allows you to immerse yourself in movies, games, or any other form of content while lying in bed or relaxing by the pool. Additionally, the Virtual Desktop mode turns your laptop into a multi-screen workstation, offering a PC experience like never before. The glasses also provide access to AR Space, where you can browse the web, play 3D games, and explore 3D models of real-world places.
Compatibility Info
The XREAL Air AR Glasses are compatible with a range of devices. Depending on the connected device, you can experience different levels of AR. Air Casting mode is compatible with mobile, PC, and gaming devices, while Virtual Desktop mode is currently available on M1/M2 MacBook computers with Windows compatibility coming soon. To access AR Space, you will need select Android phones and XREAL’s Nebula app.
Accessory Requirement
To enhance your experience with the XREAL Air AR Glasses, you can order prescription lenses from XREAL’s official partners. These lenses can be customized to fit your specific needs, ensuring that you can enjoy the glasses comfortably and with clear vision.
the XREAL Air AR Glasses offer a balance of cutting-edge technology and comfort. With its lightweight design and certified eye comfort display, these glasses are perfect for extended use. Whether you’re a gamer, a productivity enthusiast, or simply someone looking to explore the world of augmented reality, the XREAL Air AR Glasses provide a truly immersive and enjoyable experience.
Experience on Samsung Note 8
Installing Nebula App
To fully experience the XREAL Air AR Glasses on my Samsung Note 8, I first had to install the Nebula app. The installation process was straightforward and didn’t take much time. Once the app was installed, I was ready to explore the AR features.
Compatibility with Samsung DEX
One of the standout features of the XREAL Air AR Glasses is its compatibility with Samsung DEX. By turning off DEX on my Samsung phone, I was able to optimize the glasses’ performance and software. This made the experience much smoother and more enjoyable.
Different Modes of Operation
The XREAL Air AR Glasses offer three different modes of operation – Air Casting, Virtual Desktop, and AR Space. Each mode offers a unique AR experience depending on the device’s compatibility. I particularly enjoyed the Air Casting mode, which allowed me to amplify my mobile, PC, and gaming experience on a virtual 130″ spatial display.
AR Feature on Nebula App
The Nebula app provided me with my first taste of the spatial Internet through the XREAL Air AR Glasses. I was able to browse the web on a virtual 201″ screen, play 3D games, and even explore 3D models of real-world places. While the AR experience is still in its early stages, it was fun and refreshing to see the potential of AR technology.
my experience with the XREAL Air AR Glasses on my Samsung Note 8 was mostly positive. The glasses provided an immersive AR experience, especially in Air Casting mode. The compatibility with Samsung DEX enhanced the performance and software usability. While there were some limitations with the Nebula app and the lack of support for certain games, overall, the XREAL Air AR Glasses delivered on their promise of a unique AR experience. With further advancements in AR technology, I can only imagine the possibilities that these glasses hold.
Screen Quality
OLED Technology
The XREAL Air AR Glasses utilize OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology, which provides vibrant and high-quality visuals. This technology allows for deep blacks, vivid colors, and sharp details, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The OLED display of the XREAL Air glasses ensures that images and videos are displayed with exceptional clarity and contrast.
Resolution and Display Experience
The XREAL Air AR Glasses offer an immersive display experience with its 130″ spatial display in Air Casting mode. Whether you are watching a movie or playing a game, the XREAL Air glasses amplify your mobile, PC, and gaming experience, providing a larger and more enjoyable viewing area. The glasses eliminate the need to strain your neck or compromise on comfort by allowing you to lie in bed or relax on a pool chair while enjoying your favorite content.
Users have reported that the screen of the XREAL Air AR Glasses is crisp and vivid, even without wearing prescription lenses. However, some reviewers mentioned slight blurring at the edges of the screen and haloing around bright lettering on dark backgrounds. While these minor issues may exist, they do not significantly hinder the overall viewing experience.
The resolution and display quality of the XREAL Air glasses make them suitable for media consumption, gaming, and virtual desktop experiences. It is worth noting that the glasses offer a frame rate cap of 30 FPS in gaming mode on the Steam Deck, but this may not be a concern for those playing remastered PS2 titles or other similar games.
the XREAL Air AR Glasses provide an impressive screen quality that enhances your AR and multimedia experiences, making them a worthwhile investment for entertainment and productivity purposes.
Nebula App on Mac
Compatibility with Mac M1
As a tech enthusiast, I was thrilled to try out the Nebula app on my Macbook Pro M1 with the XREAL Air AR Glasses. The compatibility between the two was seamless and impressive. The glasses were able to trick my Macbook into creating three virtual screens above the actual display. This feature is perfect for productivity, as I can now have a multi-screen workstation wherever I go.
Gyroscope Feature
The gyroscope feature of the XREAL Air AR Glasses enhances the overall experience. It allows me to look left and right to see the other virtual screens created by the Nebula app. This capability provides a sense of depth and immersion that I haven’t experienced before with other AR glasses. It’s a game-changer for multitasking and improving productivity.
Multi-Screen Setup
With the Nebula app, I can easily set up multiple virtual screens above my Macbook. This feature is incredibly useful when working on multiple tasks simultaneously. I can have different applications and documents open on each screen, making it easier to organize and access information. It’s like having a full-size desktop screen right in front of me.
Video Compatibility
Using the XREAL Air AR Glasses with the Nebula app on my Macbook allows me to watch videos with ease. The glasses mirror the screen, and videos are seamlessly displayed in front of me. Whether it’s watching movies, TV shows, or online lectures, the video compatibility is excellent. The image quality is crisp and clear, and the colors are vibrant.
the compatibility between the Nebula app on my Macbook Pro M1 and the XREAL Air AR Glasses has exceeded my expectations. The multi-screen setup, gyroscope feature, and video compatibility provide a truly immersive and productive AR experience. While there are a few minor comfort issues, such as the nose pads and ear bars, the overall value of these glasses is undeniable. They have revolutionized the way I work and study, giving me the freedom to be productive while enjoying the outdoors.
Chromebooks and Laptops
Compatibility with Chromebooks and Laptops
I’ve had the opportunity to test the XREAL Air AR Glasses with both Chromebooks and laptops, and overall, the compatibility has been impressive.
I first tried the glasses on a higher-end 4K Chromebook, and the glasses worked seamlessly, displaying in their full HD resolution. However, on a lower-end Chromebook with a resolution of 1388×768, the glasses were limited to that resolution, which seems to be a limitation of the Chromebook’s video hardware or driver.
Moving on to laptops, I connected the glasses to an Asus Zephyrus ZG14 gaming laptop with an RTX 2080 video card, and they worked flawlessly. It’s worth noting that there is no Windows Nebula app available, but the glasses functioned effectively as an additional monitor for gaming purposes.
Resolution Limitations
While the glasses deliver a fantastic visual experience, it’s essential to understand their resolution limitations. The screen resolution is 1080p, which provides clear and readable text. However, there may be some slight distortion at the top or bottom of the screen if the glasses are not positioned correctly on the face.
Gaming Experience
For gamers, the XREAL Air AR Glasses offer a unique and immersive experience. I tested the glasses with Cyberpunk 2077 and Flight Simulator 2020. Cyberpunk 2077 ran smoothly, although I’m not an avid gamer, so it was more of a test than a comprehensive gaming experience. Flight Simulator 2020, on the other hand, had some limitations due to the glasses turning with head movements, which caused disorientation during in-game maneuvers.
Drone Piloting
The XREAL Air AR Glasses also have potential for drone piloting, although it may require additional setup. Unfortunately, my particular configuration with the USB-C connection of the drone controller to the phone didn’t allow for HDMI output to the glasses. However, there are adapters available for iPhones, which might work in different setups.
the XREAL Air AR Glasses provide an exciting and immersive experience when used with Chromebooks and laptops. The compatibility is generally excellent, although some resolution limitations and minor issues in gaming and drone piloting scenarios should be considered. Nonetheless, as long as you understand and embrace the limitations, these glasses offer exceptional value for their price. As a tech enthusiast, I find myself using them predominantly with my MacBook, Samsung Galaxy S20, and Steam Deck, each for their specific advantages.
Audio Experience
Built-in Speakers
The XREAL Air AR Glasses offer a compelling audio experience with their built-in speakers. Despite their small size and not being physically in the ears, the downward firing speakers on the temples deliver surprisingly good sound quality. In fact, they sound just as good, if not better, than the speakers on the Steam Deck.
While using headphones or earbuds can provide higher quality audio and isolation, the provided audio solution is definitely not an afterthought. The audio from the built-in speakers is clear and immersive, enhancing the overall viewing and gaming experience.
With the XREAL Air AR Glasses, you can enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and games with impressive audio quality without the need for additional accessories. The speakers are conveniently located on the temples of the glasses, ensuring that the sound is directed towards the user’s ears.
Whether you’re watching a movie or playing a game, the built-in speakers of the XREAL Air AR Glasses deliver satisfying audio that adds depth and immersion to your digital content. You can enjoy the convenience of not having to wear separate headphones while still enjoying high-quality sound.
the audio experience provided by the XREAL Air AR Glasses’ built-in speakers is a significant advantage of these glasses. They offer impressive sound quality and contribute to a more immersive and enjoyable AR experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
I originally bought the XREAL Air AR glasses as a temporary solution while waiting for another pair to ship, but I was pleasantly surprised by their performance. I used them for 8 hours a day for 5 days straight and found them to be clear and sharp, despite being only 1080p. They worked well with my iPhone, Steam Deck, and MacBook Pro, providing a solid gaming experience, especially for games like No Man’s Sky.
Compared to the VITURE One glasses, the XREAL Air glasses offered a clearer image with no fringing or blurriness. The XREAL Air glasses also came with a face shield for a completely immersive experience, while the VITURE One glasses lacked this feature. Additionally, the XREAL Air glasses were more comfortable to wear for extended periods and had a cooler running temperature.
Another advantage of the XREAL Air glasses was the ability to use them as a virtual desktop, turning my laptop into a multi-screen workstation. This feature was currently only available on M1/M2 MacBook computers, but it offered a PC experience like I had never seen before.
Cons
While the XREAL Air glasses had many advantages, there were a few drawbacks. The bulky adapter required for use with the iPhone made it difficult to carry the phone in your pocket. Additionally, the glasses’ compatibility with some Android phones for the AR Space feature was still limited and required further development.
The XREAL Air glasses were slightly more pixelated compared to other XR glasses on the market, and there was some blurring at the edges of the screen. The glasses were also capped at 30 FPS in gaming mode on the Steam Deck, which may be limiting for some gamers.
despite these minor drawbacks, the XREAL Air AR glasses stood out as a top contender in the market, offering a clear and immersive AR experience across multiple devices and platforms. With its innovative features, comfortable design, and cutting-edge technology, the XREAL Air glasses provided a fantastic AR experience for users.
Conclusion
User Reviews
Here are some reviews from users who have tried the XREAL Air AR Glasses:
I tried installing the Nebula app on my Samsung Note 8, which is not officially supported. After a few tries, I managed to get the app installed. The glasses worked well with my phone, and I was able to have a fuller desktop experience without a monitor. The mirroring feature also worked without the Nebula app.
The Screen
The screen of the XREAL Air AR Glasses is gorgeous, with rich colors and dark blacks. The resolution is good enough for most purposes, although a higher resolution would be even better.
Nebula App on the Mac
The Mac M1 app is still in beta, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it worked well. The application allows for up to three screens, which is great for a portable multi-screen setup.
The glasses worked well with a high-end 4K Chromebook and an Asus Zephyrus ZG14 gaming laptop. However, there were some limitations with lower-end Chromebooks and certain laptops.
Gaming
The glasses are suitable for gaming, with users reporting a positive experience playing games like Cyberpunk 2077. However, there were some issues with flight simulation games, as the glasses turned with the user’s head, making it disorienting.
Overall Impression
In conclusion, the XREAL Air AR Glasses offer a great AR experience for media consumption and some productivity tasks. The glasses are comfortable to wear and have a sustainable design. The display quality is impressive, although there may be some minor issues with the edges of the screen and white text on a dark background. The glasses work well with certain devices, such as MacBooks and Steam Decks, but there may be limitations with other devices. Overall, the XREAL Air AR Glasses are a good choice for tech enthusiasts who already own compatible devices.
