The Xreal Air 2 Pro are the most recent augmented actuality (AR) glasses to land on my face. As a second-generation machine, they function a raft of enhancements, together with a brighter digital show with the next refresh price, enhanced audio, and a few considerate tweaks that make them extra snug and simpler to make use of.

Before we dive in, it’s value noting that Xreal was often known as Nreal, however modified the title after Epic Games (proprietor of the Unreal Engine) sued for trademark infringement. Replacing the Xreal (Nreal) Air are two fashions of recent AR glasses, the Xreal Air 2 and the Xreal Air 2 Pro. The solely distinction is that the Pro model options electrochromic dimming and prices an additional $50.

Evolving Design

The Xreal Air 2 glasses might nearly go for a chunky pair of normal specs. The temples are thick, and you’ll probably have to put on them barely additional out out of your eyes than different glasses to concentrate on the digital display, however they’re comparatively delicate as AR glasses go. The USB-C port is on the finish of the left temple. You get a prolonged cable within the field and a tough case to soundly retailer the specs.

At first look, you can simply mistake the Xreal Air 2 Pro glasses for his or her predecessor. They are barely lighter, down from 79 to 75 grams (the non-Pro model weighs simply 72 grams). The temples are longer, with softer ideas that curve round your ears. You additionally get three sizes of interchangeable nostril pads, and the temples click on via three angled positions. You can clip a prescription lens body inside, although lenses will value you further.

Overall, I discovered the Xreal Air 2 Pro a lot roomier and extra snug than the unique Air glasses. You get a snap-on shade attachment that gives a darkish background. Crucially, it additionally blocks gentle under your eyes, which is important if you wish to concentrate on the digital display, particularly in a vivid room or a busy cafe.

The Air 2 Pro options electrochromic dimming. Press the button on the correct temple to cycle via three ranges, making the glasses clear, 35 p.c dimmed to control the true world, or 100% dimmed to dam gentle. It’s cool, however even at 100%, it doesn’t work in addition to the easy clip on shade, and I don’t suppose the gimmick is value the additional $50. The solely different bodily management on the Xreal Air 2 glasses is a rocker on the correct temple that adjusts the brightness. Hold it down for 3 seconds, and it adjustments right into a quantity rocker.

Sliding Screens

The XReal Air 2 glasses depend on a pair of 0.55-inch Sony micro-OLED shows with a 1080p decision and a most refresh rate of 120 Hz. Plug the USB-C cable into any smartphone, laptop computer, or gadget that helps DisplayPort (DP) output (USB Type-C Alt mode), and the Xreal Air 2 glasses mirror your display. Don’t assume your machine helps DP, as a result of a number of current releases don’t. For instance, the iPhone 15 does, however the Pixel 8 and OnePlus 11 don’t.

The digital show emulates a 130-inch display just a few ft away, although the side ratio is dependent upon the connected machine. Using the Xreal Air 2 Pro with a folding cellphone, like my Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 (7/10, WIRED Review), for instance, mirrored the broad display when closed and the bigger sq. show when opened, which lower off a hefty portion on the backside. It is hard to concentrate on the entire display, so the sides typically seem blurry or lower off. You may have to slip the glasses out additional than you’ll usually put on them, which at all times appears foolish.

Provided you utilize the shade or dimming and have a plain, darkish backdrop, the digital show is sharp, colourful, and vivid, regardless of some average-sounding specs (100,000:1 distinction ratio and 500 nits most brightness). As a mirrored show, the Xreal Air 2 Pro glasses are stable, and you’ll respect the 120-Hz refresh price in case you are gaming with a smartphone or handheld, just like the Steam Deck.