I love my Nreal (XReal now) glasses. I use them all the time with the steam deck and my laptop, and when I was traveling internationally, they were so great for the long flights. Don’t know if it’s worth justifying a new pair yet but I’m glad they have been improving them a lot.
But if I did, the pro being able to block light without the cover would be what gets me to jump on them. I constantly lose the cover and that is just so cool.
@@dannyroth218quick question. Can they be used as a second monitor for a laptop (office, browsing). I am looking to replace my portable monitor with these if possible.
@@ii_lei_ii-lei3646I think so (I haven’t done it myself) but it wouldn’t be too easy since it’s kind if hard to see screens while wearing them. If you have one of the newer MacBooks (M1 or newer) they have software that allows you to use multiple monitors in AR.
@@ii_lei_ii-lei3646yes, I've done that. My PC doesn't have USB-C output though so I need to use an HDMI to USB-C converter. You may not need that, but it's worth pointing out.
Not sure why they bother with the unnecessary design constraint of trying to make these look like “normal” sunglasses. Cuz they just don’t. Might as well prioritize function over form and make something that blocks light and can deliver audio more efficiently. Nobody is gonna be fooled into thinking you’re just chillin with shades on.
Blade Runner. That's why 😂😮 Or They Live Choose your sci fi fantasy. But seriously, have you seen the Virtual Boy? Nobody wants to look like a spaceman from the 50's sci Fi horror movies when they're playing games. It's bad enough looking like Stevie Wonder. Plus, I think it's guaranteed that if you wear the PSVR when your girlfriend is over, she will not have sex with you that day. Nobody wants to look even dumber than usual, and regular glasses look helps. I don't know if you're (like me) cursed to wear prescription glasses, but it's not fun to have to put things on your head that make you look different. Just let the little glasses be, they don't need to look like you're Spaceman Spiff going into a black hole to fight the evil Vogon Prostnetnic Jeltz.
The look is so you don’t *feel* like a glasshole when you have them on. A lot of people didn’t like the look of google glass because it was too tech-y looking.
@@Boogie_the_catI wear these things in public all the time. Nobody has ever questioned whether or not they were regular sunglasses. Nor would I give a damn if they did.
I've been tempted by the xreal air's for nearly a year now. 120Hz definitely makes them more tempting. Really wish I could give them a try before I buy them, as that's what really sold me on VR back in the day
I have the Nreal Airs (original model) and I think they're exceptional. It really depends on your use case scenarios, though. An adapter is needed to be able to play any system with HDMI out. So if you have a Nintendo Switch you have to run it out of the dock to the adapter and then from the adapter out via USB-C to the glasses. It's not a very elegant solution. If you're only playing something from a phone or a tablet to not bother your partner in bed at night, it's much cleaner. Really it just comes down to what you're going to use them for. The video quality is very good in my opinion, but the audio, like Russ says, is lacking. So Bluetooth headphones or earbuds is a must.
@@nickspeck I imagine my primary use cases would be Steam Deck/Laptop with USB C so the dongle situation should be fine most of the time I'm just not sure I'd actually use them enough honestly
I own a pair. It’s good to use on steam deck while you lay in bed. Dont even bother to use them on car ride. Even if riding in smooth road. The tiny dips can pretty much ruin experience. It’s too wobbly in car ride. I don’t get motion sickness but man I had horrible headache within 15 mins
@@Brandon-ez6ejyeah. Your brain is a natural gimbal; you don’t realize just how much your brain makes those micro adjustments for you until you wear these in a car 😂
Nice to see a review that doesn't completely dismiss these. Multiple other channels I follow have no interest in wearable displays like this and just don't seem to understand that there are legitimate and compelling use cases for them. My favorite use for them is just to sprawl out on the couch or bed while gaming. It's so nice to be able to play a game in complete comfort without having to hold a Switch or Steam Deck up to see it, which gets uncomfortable very quickly. This level of comfort with the added immersion makes this my favorite way to game. And for anyone who might say, "Well, you can do that same thing with a VR headset" ...no, not comfortably you can't. These glasses are practically weightless in comparison, and aren't closed in. They don't need fans to keep themselves or you cool (or keep themselves from fogging up), and they don't drain the battery of your Steam Deck any more than if you were just using the devices screen (they may even make the battery last a tad longer). I have the original Xreal Air glasses, and will happily get another pair of these or another brand later on when the features are a significant step up.
@Durnehviir_ Well, it's fair play cause honestly I watched both videos from Russ and The Phawx on those glasses and I hadn't retained that 120hz was a feature, arguably it might have been different models mind you. But even better to know, I might be able to find a good deal on Air 1S ones, thanks!!
@GameTechTalk They were not different models. It was a firmware update that came out a few months ago that increased the refresh rate of the Xreal Air 1s. The only reason they didn't mention it in their videos is because it wasn't available then. I wish RGC would have mentioned it in this video.
Xreal beam is not pocketable, it will overheat like crazy and only lasts about an hour when it gets hot. The top power button is also the fan vent and it gets loud and hot. Also Xreal has been promising bringing native apps like Netflix and stuff to the beam since it’s just a cheap android device but they haven’t given any update.
Yeah I'm so annoyed that they still haven't gotten most video streaming services working on the glasses or the beam. I bought and returned mine last month.
I feel like, by pocketable, he means putting it in your pocket while you're not using it. Walking around and such, then pulling it out and setting it down somewhere while you use it. That's what I gathered from "pocketable", when he mentioned it.
These have been on my radar for awhile, thanks for sharing some user impressions. Stationary mode is a must for me... so many times games put important HUD information in the corners of the screen, and it's easier to see those corners if that display stays in the same virtual spot. It's exciting to see this segment develop! I think someday these will be as essential as smartphones, or maybe smartphones will change in a way they are dependent on XR glasses.
I have both the xreal (nreal 1) and Viture glasses. I ended up using the Viture more often for 3 reasons: 1) it has a diopter adjustment per eye so i can wear them to bed without contacts or special lenses 2) it has the dimming feature that you like about the xreal pro, 3) it has a convenient usb c splitter that allows me to charge the steamdeck or ally while using it (that didnt work with the xreal glasses). My wife ended up liking the Xreal glasses because the tilt adjustment fit her face better. I think the image and brightness was also slightly better on the Xreal. The 120hz is a great new feature. I wonder if it is VRR too like the Ally.
As someone with the original XReal air, I can tell you a big reason for the blockers on the X2s on the bottom is almost certainly feedback that there is a reflection against the lenses from things below you, especially in movie scenes where the screen gets dark. I'm watching Thor: The Dark World right now and wishing I had bottom blockers.
Saw guy making Velcro covers all around for these purposes.... I have quest 2 and some nose light blue irritate me, but here.... Honestly not sure if these will work fine....
Man. I was hoping they would have added the "body anchor" feature into this new version. Seems like that's something that should be built into the device.
Russ, you’re awesome, man! Keep up the nice balance of honest reviews with some goofy humor. I like my XReal Air, not ready to upgrade them yet, but cool features on these new skus
i have a muscle disorder and i've been waiting for a product like this to get really light and these could be it. to give an easy comparison, with my muscle disorder 100g feels like 400g+ to pre muscle disorder me. people dont talk about it a lot but this is an amazing product line for disabled people. for example, lifting my arms or looking down and an extreme angle can be painful. it would also be nice to watch movies or game while stuck in bed etc. cool product, so im debating HARRRRRRRRD on whether to get it. it's always nice when normal products feel made for accessibility even when they arent.
If the Beam wasn't so expensive or they found a way to incorporate those modes into the glasses, I'd be interested. With fixed mode as a default setting, it's hard to justify the price. It's a real shame because I would 100% pay that price if there were ways to reduce the motion sickness in the initial costs.
probably have to wait another round. I dont understand why the hdmi support is not native to the glasses, because most have hdmi usb c functionality ports (steamdeck). I know its a limitation of the hardware decoder, but those are already very small. they probably couldnt fit it into the glasses yet.
yeah, the Spatial AR stationary window should be available within the glasses. There is no reason why they couldn’t incorporate that into them already. The Beam for more battery and additional ports compatibility is OK. But the software side of things should already be in the glasses at that price.
I've had a lot of fun with the Viture glasses. My only issue is pain on my nose if I don't regularly adjust them. Putting some moleskin on the pads helped a bit, but for sure they could use a refreshed or upgraded model with better nose pieces.
6:51 - The bottom guard likely is not there to stop light. It's there to stop reflections on the lenses from what is below you because the lenses are at a 45 degree angle. I have 3rd party blocker for the air one that has the bottom blockers on it and it makes a huge difference. Without it I would always be seeing my shirt reflected on my screen.
I enjoyed the different style of review! Any chance next time could you record footage showing the inside of the glasses when it's on? I know it's a very "2007" like something you'd do when filming the Virtual Boy but would be appreciated 💚
I read a lot of consumers say the air 2s are blurry at the bottom vs the air 1. Do u notice that in your experience? Because I don’t see videos mentioning this
I wanna love these and maybe if they get cheaper someday these would be nice in some situations but still expensive. For closer to 200ish I’d be tempted. Loved the intro! That was hilarious and impressed you made it without laughing!
I have the old ones they also work with 120hz since they updated the firmware to support it a while back, from seeing an other video the main take away is 25% brighter with an extra 100 nits, sound and the pro version with electro chromatic or covers that dont make you look like Stevie wonder.
Also, I doo play doom eternal with a dlss to fsr 2 replacement mod above 100 fps and wolfenstein 2 at around 100 fps on my rog ally and it's an amazing way to use the 120hz feature, an adapter from viture allow to split the USB c for video and charging so I can game full bottle and get extra juice on the plane :).
So I feel like I've been waiting. I waited as long as I want. The concept seems to be valid and tech is starting to mature. I'm tired of waiting. I just purchased these like an hour ago. LOL Waiting for delivery now.
Hey Russ, the Beam has another interesting feature: AirPlay. You can mirror older iPhone's displays this way. Higher lag than the alternatives, but with less wires.
Would be nice to make a steam punk round version . Probably would mask the effect of floating on the face as well as the light guards could be extended to the laterals
My problem with nreal/xreal is mainly the software. The glasses are literally useless as an ar device (which is what is suposed to be). They are great as an extra portable screen or to use it with dex in Samsung, but appart from that you can literally do nothing useful. And even worse, they have abandoned the nreal lights completely. All their original customers that bought the lights because they actually were ar glasses now have a very pretty paperweight. Even worse since now we even can't use dex, which was my main use of the glasses.
I found it funny that when I was a kid having a screen on your glasses sounded like the most amazing idea ever and so futuristic, and now that it’s a reality I look at it as a “gimmick” now 🤣😭 but tbh, I do think it’s awesome and that I’m still as young as I am now and that this is a reality and works rather effectively. I do think it’s weird considering we have VR headsets, but I guess this is smaller and isn’t intended for VR use. And only in the next coming years more things like this will perfect this idea even more. Great review :)
@@kevinba7981 , lol why should he, Tech prices drop like that after a couple of months anyway once the novelty wears off or the slightly better version comes out.
I have the original air glasses and love them for flights. I don’t really use them anywhere else though. That being said I rarely play games on them because I don’t want to give up VRR on my Ally display. I mostly watch movies with them. I love the pro dimming feature but I don’t think this is enough to upgrade. The 120hz is nice but without vrr it seems kinda pointless for me. The improved audio wouldn’t matter to me either since any time I’m using these I wouldn’t want them to be audible to others around me. If I was buying new and didn’t have v1 I’d get the pro model though.
Thanks this is really interesting. I like the idea of these to bring gaming with me while rving. Is there a battery for the glasses, or are they powered by the connection?
They’re powered by the connection, and the amount of battery they drain is about the same as the typical battery drain when watching something on the device’s display.
do they work well as a monitor replacement or is this just for movie watching and gaming? It would be cool to have 2-3 huge monitors in front of you, a huge space saver. But apart from being huge, monitors also need to look sharp, crisp, and clear.
I have the 1st gen, and yea, they work p well for that ( though there is a bit of tradeoff, given some ghosting and slight edge clarity issues)--certainly much better than something like the Quest 2. But that's only if you want 1 big monitor that moves with your head. Their software for multi-monitor head-tracking is really limiting (e.g. doesn't exist on Windows to my knowledge, and essentially only allows you to use browser windows on Android)
The gaming use is pretty appealing in some use cases, but I think the potential of using this with my phone is the winner. Having the Samsung Dex experience ready to go without the need for an big external monitor would be pretty cool. Also side benefit of privacy when doing work or watching stuff while traveling. I still don't see myself getting this, but still great to see the technology continuing to improve.
I have a competitor to these, and those light guards at the bottom id wager are less a bout blocking light to make it darker, and more about blocking the reflections you’ll get from your shirt and the area in front of your stomach / chest when using them. When using my glasses, in a bright room, if you are wearing bright colors, you will see it reflected in the optics that are meant to sent the screen to your eyes. Test with and without them looking for that reflection, and im sure itll. Be easily noticeable. The guard appears to be just long enough to prevent that issue.
I wish you actually explained what it looks like inside the glasses. I purchased the tcl nextware glasses and the advertising said it was like watching a 300 inch screen but in reality to me it just looked like watching a phone screen really close up. The meta quest can make you feel like you're watching a massive screen and was hoping to hear what the experience is like actually looking at the screen.
I own a pair and it’s pretty much same thing. It’s like holding phone up near your face. Russ also stated that’s it’s pretty much impossible to show you how it looks through a video. I totally agree with that I tried sticking my phone into mine and it doesn’t even compare to when you wear them.
Great review, how do you deal with eye issues. On the oculus etc you can either digitally adjust or mechanically adjust IPD, how is this dealt with on these?
Unless I didn't quite understand in your video, if I was to purchase the Xreal glasses, can I use them with my Xbox X without any adapters? I'm confused as to what the Xreal Beam does?
Have you tried the Rokid Max? Just bought them to use with my legion go. I often travel between Hawaii and Japan and hope they will make the 9 hour flights more enjoyable.
Thank you so much for this review, very descriptive! I really want an Xreal Air 2 this holiday! When a console hdmi to usb c is plugged into the beam, does the beam also charge? Am I able to play a console infinitely without having to worry about the beam losing its charge?
I use my viture one's a tonne. I find that I use it more for watching youtube on the bus compared to gaming. You get in a real tangle with all the cables and it's a pain on the bus with a steam deck or whatever.
Thanks man. I just ordered the xreal air 1 as new old stock off ebay to dip a toe and see if there's enough there to make me want one of the newer current or future models.
Any chance we can get an update of how you feel about the gen 1 vs gen 2 nowadays? Looking at reviews the Gen 2 looks nicer but has a blur on the edge which gets tiresome for some, and the gen 1 now can do 120hz when plugged in.
The cables on these tend to wear out. Thankfully they're generic and replaceable, but I've gone through 8 or so cables for my Rokid Air since I got them earlier in the year. Over time the connection becomes worse and worse until finally it's near-impossible to get them to display anything. It seems USB-C isn't very robust when it comes to the connector having pressure on it, I guess the tiny pins inside must eventually stop bending back into shape even when I make a conscious effort to be very careful and avoid turning my head at all. It should speak volumes that I just keep buying more cables though, the lightweight HMD concept is very useful.
Can confirm. It's an extra expense you don't anticipate. And the replacement cables I've been able to find are a lot thicker and less flexible than the original and apply somewhat uncomfortable pressure behind my ear. The connection issue is one of the main reasons these really need to be wireless to be an essential product.
I have the Beam is it's pretty much a paperweight at the moment. It doesn't play apps that have DRM. For example Netflix will not work on this. Also Xreal has been saying for month that they will have native apps for it and still havent. Also over heting. The product overheats like crazy and the fan is very loud.
the upgrades for this model seem pretty awesome... regarding the improved audio, do you think it's good enough to use on a plane without using headphones, or will I still need headphones?
Kind of want these but kinda feel they skimped on the actual glasses to push the Xbeam which I wouldn't want to spend that extra cash on so I don't know, think I'll just wait some more. No mention of battery life or simultaneous charging kind of makes me wary too. Would I need a Red Magic or Rokid hub adapter to do so? That was one of the main reasons I didn't bother with any AR glasses. That should come included.
You are not able to charge the Beam while it is in use. However, if you want to charge your phone while using the glasses, a Rokid Hub adapter definitely works.
Great Video Dude! I have the original NREAL glasses and I purchased prescription lenses for the little secondary glasses that were included with my original NREALs Do you know if I would be able to swap my prescription lenses that I currently use on the NREALS into the new XREAL pros? I can't seem to find the answer to that question anywhere. Thanks Scott
What about the input latency? I remember the first ones were like 20ms which is a nono for me no matter how good the screen is or how cheap... Maybe you are under embargo with that info?
So still no gyro for head tracking/ stationary monitor? I really want to give it a try, but I feel like not being able to slightly move my head to naturally look around might be a deal breaker, at least for a $500 gamble.
@Retro Game Corps hey quick question. I'm thinking to invest in these. Any chance you can test it by directly connecting it to Xbox/PS5 via USB-C to HDMI cable???
Couple of things you didn't touch on, how much battery do they consume from the device you hook it up to compared to last model, and are they sold worldwide this time, still can't see the Nebula app, do they work with all phone's regional models or is that still a problem?
Hi are the pros completely clear when on the clear option (you can see everything through) or are they the same as the original airs? As with the original airs the actual micro Oled displays were also tinted slightly
Air/beam combo runs for about $500. Pretty much the same as the quest. You’ll get much more use out of a quest. The only thing xreal are decent for is light weight travel, the beam is hot garbage. Would not recommend this company at all. Give it some time until we get better companies to do it, these Chinese owned companies are just a cash grab.
The red ones were clearly designed for Virtual Boy emulation.😅
They're to play Super Mario Bros Wonder 😂
@Siniste_RA Well, time to go buy a Mario Bros. Red OLED Switch!
😂
That dimming setting on the pro model is so futuristic 😊
The stacked glasses 😂
Triple vision 🤣
TRI-CLOPS@@chidorirasenganz
Super cute 😂
Lol I love it 😂
O.o But he didn't mention that it has 3D. Rokid has 3D conversion. :/
I love my Nreal (XReal now) glasses. I use them all the time with the steam deck and my laptop, and when I was traveling internationally, they were so great for the long flights. Don’t know if it’s worth justifying a new pair yet but I’m glad they have been improving them a lot.
But if I did, the pro being able to block light without the cover would be what gets me to jump on them. I constantly lose the cover and that is just so cool.
@@dannyroth218quick question. Can they be used as a second monitor for a laptop (office, browsing). I am looking to replace my portable monitor with these if possible.
@@ii_lei_ii-lei3646I think so (I haven’t done it myself) but it wouldn’t be too easy since it’s kind if hard to see screens while wearing them. If you have one of the newer MacBooks (M1 or newer) they have software that allows you to use multiple monitors in AR.
most important question is how is a potential multimonitor support. thats the goal
@@ii_lei_ii-lei3646yes, I've done that. My PC doesn't have USB-C output though so I need to use an HDMI to USB-C converter. You may not need that, but it's worth pointing out.
Not sure why they bother with the unnecessary design constraint of trying to make these look like “normal” sunglasses. Cuz they just don’t. Might as well prioritize function over form and make something that blocks light and can deliver audio more efficiently. Nobody is gonna be fooled into thinking you’re just chillin with shades on.
Blade Runner. That's why 😂😮
Or They Live
Choose your sci fi fantasy.
But seriously, have you seen the Virtual Boy?
Nobody wants to look like a spaceman from the 50's sci Fi horror movies when they're playing games. It's bad enough looking like Stevie Wonder.
Plus, I think it's guaranteed that if you wear the PSVR when your girlfriend is over, she will not have sex with you that day.
Nobody wants to look even dumber than usual, and regular glasses look helps.
I don't know if you're (like me) cursed to wear prescription glasses, but it's not fun to have to put things on your head that make you look different.
Just let the little glasses be, they don't need to look like you're Spaceman Spiff going into a black hole to fight the evil Vogon Prostnetnic Jeltz.
I would make something scifi looking but not too corny, something subtle and cool. Like a thing straight out a 80s or 90s anime,
To sell more units...
The look is so you don’t *feel* like a glasshole when you have them on. A lot of people didn’t like the look of google glass because it was too tech-y looking.
@@Boogie_the_catI wear these things in public all the time. Nobody has ever questioned whether or not they were regular sunglasses. Nor would I give a damn if they did.
PSA, the original airs also support 120hz after a firmware update. Thanks for the video Russ!
How?
their website ofc@@Lukeor
That's what I am trying to find out.
@@Lukeoryou just update them (you can google how) and then any device that can output 120hz will
1:00 my wife walked by and looked at me like wtf you watching??? 🤣🤣
I've been tempted by the xreal air's for nearly a year now. 120Hz definitely makes them more tempting. Really wish I could give them a try before I buy them, as that's what really sold me on VR back in the day
I have the Nreal Airs (original model) and I think they're exceptional. It really depends on your use case scenarios, though. An adapter is needed to be able to play any system with HDMI out. So if you have a Nintendo Switch you have to run it out of the dock to the adapter and then from the adapter out via USB-C to the glasses. It's not a very elegant solution. If you're only playing something from a phone or a tablet to not bother your partner in bed at night, it's much cleaner.
Really it just comes down to what you're going to use them for. The video quality is very good in my opinion, but the audio, like Russ says, is lacking. So Bluetooth headphones or earbuds is a must.
@@nickspeck I imagine my primary use cases would be Steam Deck/Laptop with USB C so the dongle situation should be fine most of the time
I'm just not sure I'd actually use them enough honestly
I own a pair. It’s good to use on steam deck while you lay in bed. Dont even bother to use them on car ride. Even if riding in smooth road. The tiny dips can pretty much ruin experience. It’s too wobbly in car ride. I don’t get motion sickness but man I had horrible headache within 15 mins
Rokid Max are better.
@@Brandon-ez6ejyeah. Your brain is a natural gimbal; you don’t realize just how much your brain makes those micro adjustments for you until you wear these in a car 😂
Nice to see a review that doesn't completely dismiss these. Multiple other channels I follow have no interest in wearable displays like this and just don't seem to understand that there are legitimate and compelling use cases for them. My favorite use for them is just to sprawl out on the couch or bed while gaming. It's so nice to be able to play a game in complete comfort without having to hold a Switch or Steam Deck up to see it, which gets uncomfortable very quickly. This level of comfort with the added immersion makes this my favorite way to game.
And for anyone who might say, "Well, you can do that same thing with a VR headset" ...no, not comfortably you can't. These glasses are practically weightless in comparison, and aren't closed in. They don't need fans to keep themselves or you cool (or keep themselves from fogging up), and they don't drain the battery of your Steam Deck any more than if you were just using the devices screen (they may even make the battery last a tad longer).
I have the original Xreal Air glasses, and will happily get another pair of these or another brand later on when the features are a significant step up.
120hz is a magnificient upgrade for these wearable screens, sound like a much more appealing product with the upgrades addressed in the video. Thanks!
The air 1s already have 120hz so I don’t know why they are pushing that as a selling point
@Durnehviir_ Well, it's fair play cause honestly I watched both videos from Russ and The Phawx on those glasses and I hadn't retained that 120hz was a feature, arguably it might have been different models mind you. But even better to know, I might be able to find a good deal on Air 1S ones, thanks!!
Sounds waaay more affordable and pleasing then the Apple (lack of) vision
@GameTechTalk They were not different models. It was a firmware update that came out a few months ago that increased the refresh rate of the Xreal Air 1s. The only reason they didn't mention it in their videos is because it wasn't available then. I wish RGC would have mentioned it in this video.
@@SimonWoodburyForget becus the deck sucks ass, it needs a pwr boost and a better screen
Using the old ones with an adapter for ipad pro with a PS 5 controller playing COD mobile is absolutely breath taking!!!! ❤
The stacked glasses at the beginning... I love that Russ is always serious in his reviews but definitely has a sense of humor 😂😂😂
Xreal beam is not pocketable, it will overheat like crazy and only lasts about an hour when it gets hot. The top power button is also the fan vent and it gets loud and hot. Also Xreal has been promising bringing native apps like Netflix and stuff to the beam since it’s just a cheap android device but they haven’t given any update.
thats why i will not be buying another pair from this company....they are letting greed destroy a good product.
Yeah I'm so annoyed that they still haven't gotten most video streaming services working on the glasses or the beam. I bought and returned mine last month.
Their data collection requirements are too lose for me.
I feel like, by pocketable, he means putting it in your pocket while you're not using it. Walking around and such, then pulling it out and setting it down somewhere while you use it.
That's what I gathered from "pocketable", when he mentioned it.
I should have read the comments first before posting. I just said the exact same thing as you. The Beam is a 130 dollar paperweight.
These have been on my radar for awhile, thanks for sharing some user impressions. Stationary mode is a must for me... so many times games put important HUD information in the corners of the screen, and it's easier to see those corners if that display stays in the same virtual spot. It's exciting to see this segment develop! I think someday these will be as essential as smartphones, or maybe smartphones will change in a way they are dependent on XR glasses.
I have both the xreal (nreal 1) and Viture glasses. I ended up using the Viture more often for 3 reasons: 1) it has a diopter adjustment per eye so i can wear them to bed without contacts or special lenses 2) it has the dimming feature that you like about the xreal pro, 3) it has a convenient usb c splitter that allows me to charge the steamdeck or ally while using it (that didnt work with the xreal glasses).
My wife ended up liking the Xreal glasses because the tilt adjustment fit her face better. I think the image and brightness was also slightly better on the Xreal. The 120hz is a great new feature. I wonder if it is VRR too like the Ally.
As someone with the original XReal air, I can tell you a big reason for the blockers on the X2s on the bottom is almost certainly feedback that there is a reflection against the lenses from things below you, especially in movie scenes where the screen gets dark. I'm watching Thor: The Dark World right now and wishing I had bottom blockers.
Saw guy making Velcro covers all around for these purposes.... I have quest 2 and some nose light blue irritate me, but here.... Honestly not sure if these will work fine....
Man. I was hoping they would have added the "body anchor" feature into this new version. Seems like that's something that should be built into the device.
I pulled the trigger on the Air 2's as a truck driver. These things will make being out on the road for weeks on end so much more tolerable.
Russ, you’re awesome, man! Keep up the nice balance of honest reviews with some goofy humor.
I like my XReal Air, not ready to upgrade them yet, but cool features on these new skus
i have a muscle disorder and i've been waiting for a product like this to get really light and these could be it. to give an easy comparison, with my muscle disorder 100g feels like 400g+ to pre muscle disorder me. people dont talk about it a lot but this is an amazing product line for disabled people. for example, lifting my arms or looking down and an extreme angle can be painful. it would also be nice to watch movies or game while stuck in bed etc. cool product, so im debating HARRRRRRRRD on whether to get it. it's always nice when normal products feel made for accessibility even when they arent.
If the Beam wasn't so expensive or they found a way to incorporate those modes into the glasses, I'd be interested. With fixed mode as a default setting, it's hard to justify the price. It's a real shame because I would 100% pay that price if there were ways to reduce the motion sickness in the initial costs.
probably have to wait another round.
I dont understand why the hdmi support is not native to the glasses, because most have hdmi usb c functionality ports (steamdeck).
I know its a limitation of the hardware decoder, but those are already very small. they probably couldnt fit it into the glasses yet.
@@livinliciousBecause the glasses themselves can’t process any separate signal modulation.
these glasses are unpowered so you need usbc power @@livinlicious
yeah, the Spatial AR stationary window should be available within the glasses. There is no reason why they couldn’t incorporate that into them already.
The Beam for more battery and additional ports compatibility is OK. But the software side of things should already be in the glasses at that price.
I've had a lot of fun with the Viture glasses. My only issue is pain on my nose if I don't regularly adjust them. Putting some moleskin on the pads helped a bit, but for sure they could use a refreshed or upgraded model with better nose pieces.
These kind of glasses is still too heavy for front mounting on nose, they should have head strap accessory to make wearing at home more confortable
6:51 - The bottom guard likely is not there to stop light. It's there to stop reflections on the lenses from what is below you because the lenses are at a 45 degree angle. I have 3rd party blocker for the air one that has the bottom blockers on it and it makes a huge difference. Without it I would always be seeing my shirt reflected on my screen.
Ok, eyelashes! That red is really fun, and I'm glad the whole case and cable set is red too and not just the frames.
"It becomes a very comfortable experience"
-Russ, 8:40, in the most uncomfortably stiff position I've ever seen him in
I enjoyed the different style of review! Any chance next time could you record footage showing the inside of the glasses when it's on? I know it's a very "2007" like something you'd do when filming the Virtual Boy but would be appreciated 💚
More than anything, I think these are an awesome tech demo to give an idea of what kind of cool tech we'll have in 5-10 years.
Oh, I totally missed that they made a second version of these! Love the red color option.
Russ wearing three glasses is my new holy idol I will offer my prays to at the start and at the end of each day.
I read a lot of consumers say the air 2s are blurry at the bottom vs the air 1. Do u notice that in your experience? Because I don’t see videos mentioning this
I wanna love these and maybe if they get cheaper someday these would be nice in some situations but still expensive. For closer to 200ish I’d be tempted.
Loved the intro! That was hilarious and impressed you made it without laughing!
17:56 Beam: can you *only* choose between 120" and 330", or can you pick sizes in between?
The beam lets you move the screen further and closer and change what size you want down to the inch
That's great! ty @@Durnehviir_
I have the old ones they also work with 120hz since they updated the firmware to support it a while back, from seeing an other video the main take away is 25% brighter with an extra 100 nits, sound and the pro version with electro chromatic or covers that dont make you look like Stevie wonder.
Also, I doo play doom eternal with a dlss to fsr 2 replacement mod above 100 fps and wolfenstein 2 at around 100 fps on my rog ally and it's an amazing way to use the 120hz feature, an adapter from viture allow to split the USB c for video and charging so I can game full bottle and get extra juice on the plane :).
Hey does that mean aside from the brightness u can get the old one and have same features?
@@furythree yeah minus the electro chromatic thing the new pro ones do
So I feel like I've been waiting. I waited as long as I want. The concept seems to be valid and tech is starting to mature. I'm tired of waiting. I just purchased these like an hour ago. LOL Waiting for delivery now.
Hey Russ, the Beam has another interesting feature: AirPlay. You can mirror older iPhone's displays this way. Higher lag than the alternatives, but with less wires.
I didn’t know that 😭 im buying
What a delight of a video Russ. Not in the market for these at all but they are interesting. Loved the serious faces showing the cover lol
Would be nice to make a steam punk round version . Probably would mask the effect of floating on the face as well as the light guards could be extended to the laterals
100%
The originals recieved a 120hz upgrade a couple months ago. I verfied this and it shows 120 when hooked up to my gaming laptop.
The 120hz screen can be updated on the old glasses too by doing a firmware update FYI.
My problem with nreal/xreal is mainly the software. The glasses are literally useless as an ar device (which is what is suposed to be).
They are great as an extra portable screen or to use it with dex in Samsung, but appart from that you can literally do nothing useful.
And even worse, they have abandoned the nreal lights completely. All their original customers that bought the lights because they actually were ar glasses now have a very pretty paperweight.
Even worse since now we even can't use dex, which was my main use of the glasses.
I found it funny that when I was a kid having a screen on your glasses sounded like the most amazing idea ever and so futuristic, and now that it’s a reality I look at it as a “gimmick” now 🤣😭 but tbh, I do think it’s awesome and that I’m still as young as I am now and that this is a reality and works rather effectively. I do think it’s weird considering we have VR headsets, but I guess this is smaller and isn’t intended for VR use. And only in the next coming years more things like this will perfect this idea even more. Great review :)
Seems pretty interesting. Maybe when they get cheaper! I think $200 I'd be in on it
FOV still the same as the original airs I sold mine because it wasn't big enough
@@Gobolinn, good to know, that would bug me
Work harder
@@kevinba7981 lol I make enough, I don't see $400+ in value for them.
@@kevinba7981 , lol why should he, Tech prices drop like that after a couple of months anyway once the novelty wears off or the slightly better version comes out.
I have the original air glasses and love them for flights. I don’t really use them anywhere else though. That being said I rarely play games on them because I don’t want to give up VRR on my Ally display. I mostly watch movies with them. I love the pro dimming feature but I don’t think this is enough to upgrade. The 120hz is nice but without vrr it seems kinda pointless for me. The improved audio wouldn’t matter to me either since any time I’m using these I wouldn’t want them to be audible to others around me. If I was buying new and didn’t have v1 I’d get the pro model though.
Great review. Aren’t the first gens also 120hz now?
Yes, with a firmware update.
wow! Was looking forward to this. Thank you!
Love and blessings!
Thanks this is really interesting. I like the idea of these to bring gaming with me while rving. Is there a battery for the glasses, or are they powered by the connection?
They’re powered by the connection, and the amount of battery they drain is about the same as the typical battery drain when watching something on the device’s display.
I've never watched this channel before but this dude in the green shirt is great, very informative 👍👍👍
Thanks Russ
do they work well as a monitor replacement or is this just for movie watching and gaming? It would be cool to have 2-3 huge monitors in front of you, a huge space saver. But apart from being huge, monitors also need to look sharp, crisp, and clear.
I have the 1st gen, and yea, they work p well for that ( though there is a bit of tradeoff, given some ghosting and slight edge clarity issues)--certainly much better than something like the Quest 2. But that's only if you want 1 big monitor that moves with your head. Their software for multi-monitor head-tracking is really limiting (e.g. doesn't exist on Windows to my knowledge, and essentially only allows you to use browser windows on Android)
How's corner sharpness compared to Air1 for productivity or pc use?
Are the Glasses still suck Energy from my Phone even with the Beam?
The gaming use is pretty appealing in some use cases, but I think the potential of using this with my phone is the winner. Having the Samsung Dex experience ready to go without the need for an big external monitor would be pretty cool. Also side benefit of privacy when doing work or watching stuff while traveling.
I still don't see myself getting this, but still great to see the technology continuing to improve.
Ordering it now, thanks Russ
I have a competitor to these, and those light guards at the bottom id wager are less a bout blocking light to make it darker, and more about blocking the reflections you’ll get from your shirt and the area in front of your stomach / chest when using them. When using my glasses, in a bright room, if you are wearing bright colors, you will see it reflected in the optics that are meant to sent the screen to your eyes. Test with and without them looking for that reflection, and im sure itll. Be easily noticeable. The guard appears to be just long enough to prevent that issue.
Is it possible to connect the glases to a PS4 and watch 3d Blue Rays on the glasses?
Yup as long as you have the cube thing. You can plug right in. It comes with a 19 foot cord type c so you can sit where you what in your room.
@@Adamhuehn thx 🙏
First review i clicked on and you explained everything so well. Thank you very much.
Since it's two screens, does it do stereoscopic 3D?
I wish you actually explained what it looks like inside the glasses. I purchased the tcl nextware glasses and the advertising said it was like watching a 300 inch screen but in reality to me it just looked like watching a phone screen really close up. The meta quest can make you feel like you're watching a massive screen and was hoping to hear what the experience is like actually looking at the screen.
I own a pair and it’s pretty much same thing. It’s like holding phone up near your face. Russ also stated that’s it’s pretty much impossible to show you how it looks through a video. I totally agree with that I tried sticking my phone into mine and it doesn’t even compare to when you wear them.
one minute in and this review is already incredible xD
Can these glasses play 3D SBS videos?
Great review - explained it well. Gonna wait and will jump in next year.
Great review, how do you deal with eye issues. On the oculus etc you can either digitally adjust or mechanically adjust IPD, how is this dealt with on these?
Unless I didn't quite understand in your video, if I was to purchase the Xreal glasses, can I use them with my Xbox X without any adapters? I'm confused as to what the Xreal Beam does?
Have you tried the Rokid Max? Just bought them to use with my legion go. I often travel between Hawaii and Japan and hope they will make the 9 hour flights more enjoyable.
5:37 could you please tell me the name of the speaker at the back?
Review coming in about a week 😎
Rokid Max glasses support 1200p, 120Hz, 16:10, & have 6 diopters of correction adjustment.
Glad I was sober watching you stack the glasses on your head. It's trippy enough without other influences.
Thank you so much for this review, very descriptive! I really want an Xreal Air 2 this holiday! When a console hdmi to usb c is plugged into the beam, does the beam also charge? Am I able to play a console infinitely without having to worry about the beam losing its charge?
Can i connect a camera to the Bean and output that to the glasses? E.g. to get zoom or low light vision with it.
I use my viture one's a tonne. I find that I use it more for watching youtube on the bus compared to gaming. You get in a real tangle with all the cables and it's a pain on the bus with a steam deck or whatever.
Am loving your videos lately 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 been a constant watch for last 6 month or so since I seen you on nerd nest
Thanks man. I just ordered the xreal air 1 as new old stock off ebay to dip a toe and see if there's enough there to make me want one of the newer current or future models.
Any chance we can get an update of how you feel about the gen 1 vs gen 2 nowadays?
Looking at reviews the Gen 2 looks nicer but has a blur on the edge which gets tiresome for some, and the gen 1 now can do 120hz when plugged in.
When using with a steam deck, we'd need to hook up a USB-C dock of some sort, in order to be able to both charge and get video out to the glasses?
The cables on these tend to wear out. Thankfully they're generic and replaceable, but I've gone through 8 or so cables for my Rokid Air since I got them earlier in the year. Over time the connection becomes worse and worse until finally it's near-impossible to get them to display anything. It seems USB-C isn't very robust when it comes to the connector having pressure on it, I guess the tiny pins inside must eventually stop bending back into shape even when I make a conscious effort to be very careful and avoid turning my head at all. It should speak volumes that I just keep buying more cables though, the lightweight HMD concept is very useful.
Can confirm. It's an extra expense you don't anticipate. And the replacement cables I've been able to find are a lot thicker and less flexible than the original and apply somewhat uncomfortable pressure behind my ear.
The connection issue is one of the main reasons these really need to be wireless to be an essential product.
I would get a Quest 3, games and watching movie !
very nice review! keep up the good work
Hey Russ, you look super fancy with those stacked glasses! You may start a new trend lol 😂
Hmmm, so you could drive with it and have the map projected?
I have the Beam is it's pretty much a paperweight at the moment. It doesn't play apps that have DRM. For example Netflix will not work on this. Also Xreal has been saying for month that they will have native apps for it and still havent.
Also over heting. The product overheats like crazy and the fan is very loud.
does it have mic ??? so that we can pick up a phone call, speak directly while wearing the glass??
the upgrades for this model seem pretty awesome... regarding the improved audio, do you think it's good enough to use on a plane without using headphones, or will I still need headphones?
If you don't mind shit audio. Otherwise, why wouldn't you use a higher quality headset
Kind of want these but kinda feel they skimped on the actual glasses to push the Xbeam which I wouldn't want to spend that extra cash on so I don't know, think I'll just wait some more.
No mention of battery life or simultaneous charging kind of makes me wary too. Would I need a Red Magic or Rokid hub adapter to do so? That was one of the main reasons I didn't bother with any AR glasses. That should come included.
the company has seen that people will pour out money on accessories, so they are letting their greed screw their customers
You are not able to charge the Beam while it is in use.
However, if you want to charge your phone while using the glasses, a Rokid Hub adapter definitely works.
Great Video Dude! I have the original NREAL glasses and I purchased prescription lenses for the little secondary glasses that were included with my original NREALs Do you know if I would be able to swap my prescription lenses that I currently use on the NREALS into the new XREAL pros? I can't seem to find the answer to that question anywhere. Thanks Scott
Have you tried the Rokid Air? If so, how would you compare them?
FYI: The 'old' Nreal/Xreal Air can run at 120Hz as well by now, thanks to a fw update.
Good to know! Guess I need to update the firmware
When you hook it up to a handheld like steam deck does it ave anyy noticeable impact on battery life?
What about the input latency? I remember the first ones were like 20ms which is a nono for me no matter how good the screen is or how cheap... Maybe you are under embargo with that info?
is it possible to disable the integrated speakers and wear Bluetooth Overear or inear headphones instead while watching to get the best sound?
Is there anyway to charge a device and use these at the same time with some kind of power pass through?
Is there a way to use this with the ROG ally and charge the Ally at the same time?
So still no gyro for head tracking/ stationary monitor?
I really want to give it a try, but I feel like not being able to slightly move my head to naturally look around might be a deal breaker, at least for a $500 gamble.
@Retro Game Corps hey quick question. I'm thinking to invest in these. Any chance you can test it by directly connecting it to Xbox/PS5 via USB-C to HDMI cable???
Hi I have tested it and it won’t work, you have to use the Beam to interpret the signal.
Couple of things you didn't touch on, how much battery do they consume from the device you hook it up to compared to last model, and are they sold worldwide this time, still can't see the Nebula app, do they work with all phone's regional models or is that still a problem?
What about the internal reflections? I seem to be able to see reflections of the content I’m watching reflected but smaller internally?
Hi are the pros completely clear when on the clear option (you can see everything through) or are they the same as the original airs?
As with the original airs the actual micro Oled displays were also tinted slightly
How well does it work with the Odin 2? You just plug it in and it shows what's on the Odin screen?
Thank you for confirming that they can be used with bluetooth earbuds.
Just got them today 11/5/2023😎…..I hope the are worth the hype. Just got to wait for my adapters this Tuesday 🎉
Thanks for the video! Does the glasses have stationary mode option or do I need to get the Beam for that?
Unfortunately you need the Beam for that.
I would like to see comparison between these glasses and Quest 2/3 in case of gaming steam deck or pc.
Air/beam combo runs for about $500. Pretty much the same as the quest. You’ll get much more use out of a quest. The only thing xreal are decent for is light weight travel, the beam is hot garbage. Would not recommend this company at all. Give it some time until we get better companies to do it, these Chinese owned companies are just a cash grab.