Good News! There's a new update that adds Netflix, prime, etc to the beam now. Also, there has been plenty of updates that addressed the issues i talked about in this video.
Is the fan thing and the charging thing still an issue? Dont currently have the money but considering getting the air 2 pro and beam so I wanna make sure the most annoying things are fixed
King for doing this unsponsored, one of the only channels I've found looking into xreal glasses that is honest in the review and has most of the products unsponsored. Keep up the good work!
Oh and in case I did not say this already. Thank you for posting a candid opinion about the product. It's rare to see someone posting their unfiltered view, and I respect how much it takes to put your face out there and speak your mind.
my friend you are the only honest reviewer , i like your videos they are very helpful , i dont trust the rest of them they are all paid , keep doing the good job
Was about to buy mine. Guess Ill have to wait for complete update as I am planning to use the glasses for work and PC gaming. Thank you for this video brother
I purchased the Xrai glasses Air 2 Pro with the Beam for iPhone 14. Wanted to try Subtitles while in a multi speaker environment as I am hearing impaired. Then I learned about the wireless/ wired issue watching your video. Just found out that iPhone 15 will accommodate the wired connection, but not the iPhone 14 (Lightning vs USB 3). Still trying to figure out to get the subtitles working.
It's honestly insane that they had to pun a fan in that thing, there has to be some major design flaw(s) for that to be needed... Also launching it without fully covering DRM is silly. They need to sort these out with the next iteration of the Beam (I have little faith that DRM will be sorted out in this version).
Thanks for the input. I bought this, and yes, it's somewhat of a letdown regarding the wireless mode. I appreciate the screen staying in place. I bought the Rokid module, and hopefully, it works with my Xreal glasses, as it's an actual android device.
Thank you for your honest review, most others are basically sellouts. Dont become like they are. Will be watching out for your videos when looking for reviews in the future and +1 sub
This is the one product that made me lose all trust in creators. Normally I feel they are being honest and my purchase has been as described by reviewers. This is one where I feel like they were reviewing a completely different product. They just praised it to no end and lied about it. They let themselves become an extension of the company’s sales department instead of being loyal to their subs.
I feel you 100%, that's why i created this youtube channel. I figured i'd do it for people like me who want honest reviews. I know Xreal will and many product companies will probably not send me stuff to review if they saw this video, but i'm perfectly okay with that.
Completely agree - reviewers really hyped this thing up but since buying it I've used it once because really until they add apps directly on the Beam it's as useful as a paper weight
@@KingKola_ Hey Kola, we appreciate you and your content - especially this video. Feedback is incredibly important for us as a start up, especially objective and concise reviews that come from users like yourself. 😎❤
Absolutely, so many reviews on it but no one i've seen is talking about this issues. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment, i hope a new update comes out before you receive yours so you can have a better first impression.
This is a great video. Honestly the fatigue is real. Staring at a screen for long periods of time is already exhausting. Hopefully the streaming capability does actually come sooner than later. A lot of great information. Thank you!
Thats why i was so tired.. i guess i wasnt blinking and ya.. eye strain is real no matter if htey say its been tested.. anything that isn’t natural will hurt your eyes. I love the glasses but. I need to not use it every day.
I've had the Beam and Air glasses now for a little over a week, and I feel I must leave this comment because I don't see anybody talking about it anywhere on the internet. I just realized today that the beam does not transfer the OLED capabilities of the screens inside the glasses, which is a HUGE letdown. What I mean by that is that with a standard OLED display, each pixel is individually lit, which means black is true black because there is no light at all. The glasses themselves do this flawlessly and the image has amazing contrast. But when outputting the same exact source from the Beam, it eliminates that capability and instead replaces true black with some form of gray, as if it's a standard LED panel with a backlight, which is just stupid. For example, when watching movies that have a wider aspect ratio than 16:9, you get gray bars on the top and bottom of the screen, but without the beam this doesn't happen. The image quality is significantly reduced as well due to the lower contrast coming from the beam. I bought the two as a bundle so I'm not sure if I can return just the beam, but I do like the potential that it offers and I know smooth follow will come in clutch in places like cars or airplanes (which I have yet to test it in) so for that reason I think I will still keep it, but I am becoming more and more disappointed in the lack of quality design here. It's cool, but it needs a lot of work.
Loved you honest review bro! I cannot stress enough how important content like yours is needed for consumers. When you listed out the flaws with raw emotion and frustration plus talked about broken promises, i know this video was 🎯. Thank you again and i subbed! PS In UA-cam app settings, you can go incognito mode to test ads for Premium users
Another problem is that you can't charge the Beam while display HDMI content... so you can't play your Nintendo Switch for more than 1-2 hours using this lol
You gotta charge the Beam with a Nintendo Switch OEM charger. That'll solve all your worries! I never hear the fan running on mine. I wonder if they adjusted something. Purchased it in early '24.
Your charging problem is because it turns back on when you plug in the power cord. After you plug it in hold the power button until you see the light turn completely off. The fan won’t run and you’ll get 100% charge
Note: Type C to C cable is only included if you pre-ordered the Beam. If you didn't, then you'd have to purchase one separately. Here's my Amazon affiliate link for a cable that i know works, most others won't work. amzn.to/3QzdvHO
What is it about the cable that determines whether it works? I'm guessing it has to be proper USB 3.1, supporting fast data transfer, Power Delivery, and Display Port Alternate Mode. Not just any old USB 2.0 cable with C plugs on the ends (which many are).
I ordered it off amazon it came about a week earlier then the expected later date. Secondly there was no mention of a cable being included but it came with one. Lastly i dont think all usb c cables support video connections, same way some are rated for lower wattage.
I appreciate the honesty and true review of the xreal beam. You truly pointed out why this product is good, but not great while most other channels reported. 5/5
Thanks for a great video, all you said is correct and true. For cable: you need full function type-C to type-C this is high speed data transfer and super fast charging, its also called Type-C PD cable 100W . I ordered one but still waiting for it in the post.
2:02 thank you for explaining the eye fatigue in this way. I was considering this use case, but wasn't thinking about how much I adjust my head, not just my eyes when I look at a monitor.
Nice summary about the Beam unit and it’s features, issues and benefits. I just bought mine along with the Xreal AR 2 glasses and use them wired to my iPad and PC. I just signed up for the Nebula beta also, because one of my use cases with the Beam is to be able to have multiple PC windows (two or three of them) to support my daily business workflow). I’m looking forward to the ability to connect wirelessly…one benefit with doing that should be the ability to keep the Beam plugged into my USB C charging cable. One thought that I had was about something you mentioned-having to try many different chargers before finally finding one that charges the Beam. My charger worked right off the bat. I suspect the reason why I didn’t have any problems was because my charger is plugged into an AC outlet and puts out up to 100 watts of power. Perhaps the Beam requires a certain level of wattage in order to accept a charge. We have a sailboat and sometimes take it to Catalina Island for the weekend. During these trips we don’t have live AC onboard because we are away from the dock and aren’t plugged into AC shorepower. With the boat power being DC I can charge, but only from a much lower power charger which is plugged into a 12 volt port like one you would find in your car. Thanks for pointing out that the Beam may not charge from every power source that you have available. I’d like to jailbreak my Beam also in order to side load apps as well; I wonder if doing that would impair the unit’s ability to work with new and upcoming features and apps that Xreal will be making available for the unit in the future…
Xreal insider hear, the fan shouldn't be making that kind of whining noise. My Xreal beam dose make a fan noise, but you don't get a whine its just the air flow noise. i would consider contacting xreal about it you might have gotten a bad fan in your unit.
Wow, ya, bruh. You are pushing the envelope if you want high end gaming display. Maybe go buy one of the $4,000 VR goggles? This isn't a bad unit for the price, but imho it would be bad-ass if it could do 3-D display!!
Bro, honest points mentioned here, sub'd!🤘 I'm getting mine in the mail within a week, and would love to see some instructional video on how to connect and set it up using the different modes like body anchor, fixed display and all that. Been using my s23 ultra with the xreal glasses on flights playing offline content, and it's dope! But I do also feel that eye fatigue with the display staying locked wherever you look, that's why I bought the beam, excited to get it. Keep on sharing, and thanks for keepin' it real! ❤
Good review! I bought mine mostly for body anchor mode. It works great for me and the video quality is better than on Nebula for Samsung. The fan is not loud for me and the price of this device is pried right. XRelal seems very much like an experiment to me. but what t does, it does well. Cant please everyone. oh... use a fast charger.
I agree with you on that. Someone from xreal told me my fan shouldn't be making the noises mine was making in the video, that i should contact support as i might have a defective unit.
I have XReal and Beam and has been doing some experiments myself. I see your videos are the best on this topic, so I just post here and hopefully helps some others. Also, I am going skip a few options that you already showed here and in later videos. Wired connection from iPhone 14 to Beam using Apple's HDMI adapter by a HDMI to USB-C cable (HDMI has to be input, USB-C output, so be careful when ordering the cable). Some Netflix, Amazon Prime and Max shows work, not all. Only AirPods work as Bluetooth audio. Sony Bluetooth audio does not show up on iPhone to switch to. The videos that worked are older shows. I think the limitation here is the cable, because it is third party. I am waiting for XReal's HDMI to USB-C cable. The DRM contents are protected by a standard called HDCP, and there are multiple versions of it. I suspect the cable may not support the latest version, so I want to try a different cable. For PC users, I recommend wired connection PC -> USB C -> Beam -> glasses. This way you can get the Body Anchor support and watching all DRM content on PC. The XReal Air just acts as a second or only monitor. The PC will also charge the Beam through USB-C (make sure it is a charging port), so as long as the PC is plugged in, you can use it as long as you need. This may not be very attractive at home and try to be comfortable, because you still have wires all over the place, but it is nice for travel. I think you have another video on this, but just want to add my experience. I am going to try using XReal Air Adapter later. The claim is that should work with all DMR content. I will try both cables to see if I can further confirm my theory about the cables. I will also try the first gen Chromecast. I don't have the latest one, but I think that should work. At least I used to be able to cast to TV from a phone. Add notes: I hope iPhone 15 with USB-C be a lot easier. At least do away with the HDMI adapter. It may work just like PC. Update 10/20/2023: The XReal HDMI to USB-C cable with iPhone's Lightening to HDMI adapter and Beam works. All contents on Netflix, Max and DisneyPlus work. Amazon Prime is flaky. You can watch one show, but when try to exit and watch a different one, it freezes on the last video and I had to disconnect and reconnect, basically reboot Beam. One problem with this set up is that I can't charge Beam as I watch, because the HDMI 2 USB-C cable can't carry power. If it is USB-C to USB-C, it can carry power, as long as you have a device, e.g. a laptop, that can provide power out. So far all cables from XReal (in the box or ordered separately) work. But I know many cheap cables on Amazon don't work. I ordered one from Amazon that worked really good and it is much thicker and stiffer than simple charge cables and it costs about the same as the XReal ones. So be aware of the cable you buy. So at this time, I am keep the XReal with Beam. Once the Beam can support DRM/HDCP 2.2, then will be stream and charge all the time and get rid of some of the cables. For iPhone 14 and earlier, the HDMI to USB-C is painful, so I may need to upgrade earlier than planned.
Great video! "This is good but not great" is pretty much my opinion all the time with any AR stuff right now. It's getting close to great but there's nothing there just yet imo, too many trade offs etc.
I wish the XBeam would feature its own GoogleTV OS is with unlocked playstore. Seems that Viture neckband and Rokid Station have that but lack the anchor mode.
Hey Kola, great video. You did a very cool video showing how to setup 3 screens fixed in space using a Windows PC. Since you now have the Beam as well, would you be able to do an update video showing how to setup 3 screens fixed in space using a Windows PC? If you could show how it is done using the Beam wirelessly (for people with older pcs without usb-c port) without using Ginger or other third party software, that would be fantastic. I am software developer and use 3 monitors daily. I can't work efficiently with less tbh. I am really keen on being able to have that luxury while travelling. I really hope Air + Beam will allow me to do so. Waiting for my shipment next week and I am getting too excited!
Dude your issue with (beam) compare using Samsung phone with it instead is not existent for me. I use my xreal air with either my iPhone and my beam no problem. I think you just wanted to get more views and a little outdone your self 🤔 By the way right now xreal air is on sale 200$ GREAT BUY
Hi, great content! Do you know if the Beam can support a wired 3D signal (Full - SBS (3480x1080))? I want to connect the Xreal Glasses to a MP4 Video Player (using the Beam) so I can also use the 3 Display Modes. I also have a USB - C to HDMI adapter from PeakDo. Thanks
What a great review. Ah, honest review with no fluff. So appreciated. I did pre-order this device. I, too, was noting the same things you have pointed out. And yes, coming soon... so frustrating.
im 11 months late! but I would like to say that I appreciate you being honest! and you said it exactly right in the beginning of your video! reviewers get paid to say whatever they need to say.. you showed to me that you are independent! which means trustworthy when you review something! again.. I really really appreciate that in a time where it's so easy to sell yourself! subscribed!
thanks for the valuable info. i plan to purchase the beam and hub. i don't stream hulu etc, but i need to know for various reasons, not the least of which, i could mislead others. then, your comment about the wifi turning on automatically. that is the manufacturer's method of having idiots calling customer service because wifi is "not working". i enjoy your style of explaining. thanks for keeping is 100.
This guy is really annoyed he can’t stream Hulu… Netflix… a Netflix, Hulu… you know… Hulu… stream Netflix….Hulu….but he will keep it, because maybe in the future it will stream…Hulu… Netflix….maybe because you shouldn’t buy any device in promises…. Promises like streaming Hulu, Netflix…. Hopefully in the future it will stream Hulu…………….. Netflix.
I wish they had designed the beam to be basically a small screenless smartphone (maybe similar size and thinness to an iphone 13 mini because that is basically what it is supposed to do to take the place of your smartphone and unlock extra capabilities)with less features than a smartphone ie no camera, no sdcard slot, no speakers no antennas for LTE, just basically have a strong powereffucient SOC with bluetooth, wifi , a battery onboard storage and have it run android
I mean.... I was aware that there was different types of type c chords before this, And I think it's becoming more common knowledge. But yes there's More than one way to make a cable that simply has a type-c male end. newer devices need a lot of power to be put through the cable to charge them. And not every type c cable is capable. some wall outlets aren't even capable it's like how thunderbolt cables can transfer a lot more data through them than other types of cables and then some type-c cables can't transfer data through them at all. And some are unidirectional. so there's just a lot of ways to make a cable. I don't think that on its own is like damning to the device I just think the fact that it doesn't fucking work is the issue.
I watched a lot of youtube reviews about this and the glasses before buying them. I feel like i got a comepletely different product than what they were reviewing. I mainly was interested in using them for productivity and work. Unfortunately nebula is no where near ready to actually use to the point i dont beleive it will ever be a good software. Granted i havent messed around with it much but i consider the beam useless. Like the poster said if you dont have a device with display port video out over usb c this thing will be a disappointment and youll probably have a better experience using a traditional monitor or tv. I hate returning products just because i made a bad choice or have buyers remorse, after having these for 4 days they are being returned, it works very poorly for all the use cases they market it for, i feel straight conned.
Thank you bro, you have one of the best real reviews of this thing. Please if you could also Review the XReal Air 2 Ultras that are supposed to ship soon we would appreciate that 🙌🏻🔥
Hello, I've had this device for 3 months and apart from the fact that I managed to do screen mirroring, I didn't manage to connect it to what it should do, the static image, I don't know how to do this. It would be very helpful if you could make a tutorial on how to really connect this Xreal beam so that it fulfills the function for which we bought it. Thank you and keep up the great work, RESPECT! PS You will definitely make a tutorial with those streameng applications and how Xreal Beam can be adapted to these applications. I can't watch these applications correctly even with cable, I only see the subtitles of the movies but I have no image, can you tell me in a few words why?
Hello, I've had this device for 3 months and apart from the fact that I managed to do screen mirroring, I didn't manage to connect it to what it should do, the static image, I don't know how to do this. It would be very helpful if you could make a tutorial on how to really connect this Xreal beam so that it fulfills the function for which we bought it. Thank you and keep up the great work, RESPECT! PS You will definitely make a tutorial with those streameng applications and how Xreal Beam can be adapted to these applications.
Also, i really hope that my version of mobile would be supported soon cause otherwise ill be a bad investment for me. But otherwise the quality of video is pretty amazing. I also wish there'll be less lag whenever screen casting.
Bro I have the Quest 2 and Pico 4, got the Rokid Air and talked my boss into AR so he got the Xreal. I honestly couldnt believe how poor the entire experience was, there was not a single thing I found it useful for. The current state of it is basically a Chromecast shoved into your face. Or an imptactical desktop from your phone. I returned the Rokid, my boss thinks the software will come around soon so he kept the Xreal. It's looking like the devs may be full of shit.
so if they (XREAL Beam, Formerly Nreal😏) was a paid sponsor his video, I wonder what his review would sound like? I haven't used my glasses in a while, But, I will be soon ordering this, So when y'all agreed to those terms, Nreal had to used their software,😬 did you think that they would one day turn all of you info over to another entity😲😏
Great review without the hype from flossy carter or the hundreds of paid advertisements in so-called reviews this is the best one❤❤❤. it's weird has a fan I mean smartphones run for hours casting streaming with no fan they could have made it up to plug into Android phones to act as a beam plugging your PS5 your switch steam deck to your Android adapter to the glasses
My main objection is that they went with battery powered. For a device (the glasses) that doesn't have its own power, why make an accessory that needs its own power? I don't want another heavy thing to carry around. Just run it off of the same power source that the glasses use, maybe with a 'Y" type splitter.
Without an apple computer it's useless. Nebula app is not offered for Windows so most features are not available. Most disappointing purchase I have made in a long time. 3 out of 10 stars.
if the fan is on, the beam is running. hold the power button on the top to turn it off or on. and yes, you need a powerfull enough charger for it, not all will even charge faster than it discharges while in use.
You are actually right, this device does not even support their official application!! It's just a streaming device. I don't know what the benefit is.. Currently there are HDMI wireless devices. Why should I buy this device if it is just for streaming and does not even support many viewing applications?
@KingKola_ Yeah. I pre ordered one. The original Beam was a great upgrade to my XReal experience. I hope the Beam Pro has some additional features that make it a worthwhile purchase.
Thank you! i think this is a great product but it's for a niche use case. I think a lot of other reviewers are sponsored and are selling this like everyone should get one. Definitely not everyone should
I'm not sure I understand this. If I purchase the classes and connect them to my Windows 11 laptop using an HDMI to USB-C port adapter (one in your description), will they work as intended? Or do I need to wait for the nebula app release for windows?
yes it will work as intended with just the glasses or via the beam. Though you may have to use an earphones. The audio didn't pass through on my older computer, but it does on my new one.
I have tried remote desktop access from the beam via the chrome remote desktop. It works but abit clunky as it is not a direct remote access like the Microsoft Remote Destop.
Hrest video i just always use my glasses with the redmagic adapter to charge and watch movies at the same time while playing steam deck in dexmode & only paid $20 for it
awesome review. I returned it as soon as I tried it out. The body anchor feature actually annoys the heck out of me since if you're watching videos, your field of view is fixed so it's similar to trying to watch a neighbor's TV through your own window where the visibility of the video you're watching would get cut off if you don't hold your head steady. Also, I'm a gamer and if I use the glass by itself connected directly to a Steam Deck for example, there's hardly any lag at all but through the beam, the lag is very noticeable, not to mention that the audio is also lagging which is insanely annoying. The Xbeam to me feels like an incomplete product and I really can't think of any good use for it so I returned it pretty much after 1 day.
Terrible experience with the beam, thought it can solve the wireless experience, instead I got a paperweight device. Best to avoid until the app started to come to the beam
I found it a little strange how they don't include at least 1 USB-C cable in the box because I think this could have solved half the issues I have with this. There is a still another solid half of issues but a lot of them COULD be resolved in software Edit: For me it was trying to connect my phone through USB-C that has been a serious problem. Half the time it thinks it needs to charge
I definitely agree a lot of people seem to be having that issue. I pre-ordered mine and it came with a cord, but still some bugs. Software update should be coming soon per my sources.
My biggest criticism of the Beam, you can't set a custom scale for apps that you side load. I have the Android TV version of StremIO, annoyingly, some of the corners are missing. If I could make the scale just a tad smaller to make it fit perfectly, I'd be 100% happy. I am 95% happy with it though. It does serve it's purpose.
I control my media input so things like DRM don't matter, and will mostly use it for movies and my steam deck while I'm traveling. I think it's silly they had to make this device to give us 3dof. They have it in Nebula app so I call BS. Some phones couldn't handle it and but I think high end phones could. I'm glad they figured out a way to give me what I wanted and get them the money to get that done, but silly from a technical angle.
Good News! There's a new update that adds Netflix, prime, etc to the beam now. Also, there has been plenty of updates that addressed the issues i talked about in this video.
Is the fan thing and the charging thing still an issue? Dont currently have the money but considering getting the air 2 pro and beam so I wanna make sure the most annoying things are fixed
is this without jailbreaking it? so if I buy it now its on the beam?
It’s only 480p unfortunately
which issues in particular?
@@suleimankhan4746 if you install streaming app directly on the beam it only streams up to 480p? not 1080p?
King for doing this unsponsored, one of the only channels I've found looking into xreal glasses that is honest in the review and has most of the products unsponsored. Keep up the good work!
Oh and in case I did not say this already. Thank you for posting a candid opinion about the product. It's rare to see someone posting their unfiltered view, and I respect how much it takes to put your face out there and speak your mind.
My pleasure fam, and thank you.
my friend you are the only honest reviewer , i like your videos they are very helpful , i dont trust the rest of them they are all paid , keep doing the good job
Was about to buy mine. Guess Ill have to wait for complete update as I am planning to use the glasses for work and PC gaming. Thank you for this video brother
It already works with pc and game consoles fine, but there's been plenty of good updates since i posted this video.
I purchased the Xrai glasses Air 2 Pro with the Beam for iPhone 14. Wanted to try Subtitles while in a multi speaker environment as I am hearing impaired. Then I learned about the wireless/ wired issue watching your video. Just found out that iPhone 15 will accommodate the wired connection, but not the iPhone 14 (Lightning vs USB 3). Still trying to figure out to get the subtitles working.
It's honestly insane that they had to pun a fan in that thing, there has to be some major design flaw(s) for that to be needed... Also launching it without fully covering DRM is silly. They need to sort these out with the next iteration of the Beam (I have little faith that DRM will be sorted out in this version).
Thanks for the input.
I bought this, and yes, it's somewhat of a letdown regarding the wireless mode. I appreciate the screen staying in place.
I bought the Rokid module, and hopefully, it works with my Xreal glasses, as it's an actual android device.
From what i've heard, the rokid module does work. I can't wait to get mine
awesome gadget. ❤❤❤❤❤ a leap for Media and work .
Yes it is
Can you bring the screen closer? Last time I had nreal (I returned it btw) I felt like the screen was so far away it wasn’t worth keeping
Yes you can bring it closer, and make it wider if you like
Thank you for your honest review, most others are basically sellouts. Dont become like they are.
Will be watching out for your videos when looking for reviews in the future and +1 sub
y pleasure and thank you!
This is the best channel for X Real content - having bought both the glasses and the Beam I know you're honest and accurate with what you say 👍
Thank you, i try to keep people informed.
This is the one product that made me lose all trust in creators. Normally I feel they are being honest and my purchase has been as described by reviewers. This is one where I feel like they were reviewing a completely different product. They just praised it to no end and lied about it. They let themselves become an extension of the company’s sales department instead of being loyal to their subs.
I feel you 100%, that's why i created this youtube channel. I figured i'd do it for people like me who want honest reviews. I know Xreal will and many product companies will probably not send me stuff to review if they saw this video, but i'm perfectly okay with that.
@@KingKola_ Exactly!
Completely agree - reviewers really hyped this thing up but since buying it I've used it once because really until they add apps directly on the Beam it's as useful as a paper weight
@@KingKola_ Hey Kola, we appreciate you and your content - especially this video. Feedback is incredibly important for us as a start up, especially objective and concise reviews that come from users like yourself. 😎❤
@@XREAL_Global thank you for dropping in!
Though I ordered it, this is a straight forward informative review everyone should see before buying.
Absolutely, so many reviews on it but no one i've seen is talking about this issues. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment, i hope a new update comes out before you receive yours so you can have a better first impression.
This is a great video. Honestly the fatigue is real. Staring at a screen for long periods of time is already exhausting.
Hopefully the streaming capability does actually come sooner than later. A lot of great information. Thank you!
Yes that fatigue can be detering, thank you for watching and dropping a comment 🙏🏾
When connected glasses to android phone directly no drm problem. It's the beam that needs work.
Thats why i was so tired.. i guess i wasnt blinking and ya.. eye strain is real no matter if htey say its been tested.. anything that isn’t natural will hurt your eyes.
I love the glasses but. I need to not use it every day.
I've had the Beam and Air glasses now for a little over a week, and I feel I must leave this comment because I don't see anybody talking about it anywhere on the internet. I just realized today that the beam does not transfer the OLED capabilities of the screens inside the glasses, which is a HUGE letdown.
What I mean by that is that with a standard OLED display, each pixel is individually lit, which means black is true black because there is no light at all. The glasses themselves do this flawlessly and the image has amazing contrast. But when outputting the same exact source from the Beam, it eliminates that capability and instead replaces true black with some form of gray, as if it's a standard LED panel with a backlight, which is just stupid. For example, when watching movies that have a wider aspect ratio than 16:9, you get gray bars on the top and bottom of the screen, but without the beam this doesn't happen. The image quality is significantly reduced as well due to the lower contrast coming from the beam.
I bought the two as a bundle so I'm not sure if I can return just the beam, but I do like the potential that it offers and I know smooth follow will come in clutch in places like cars or airplanes (which I have yet to test it in) so for that reason I think I will still keep it, but I am becoming more and more disappointed in the lack of quality design here. It's cool, but it needs a lot of work.
Very interesting about the oled, i haven't noticed that. I'd have to check, but wow good catch if it is the case.
Update: I just downloaded an update for the beam and I think they might have solved this issue.
Loved you honest review bro! I cannot stress enough how important content like yours is needed for consumers. When you listed out the flaws with raw emotion and frustration plus talked about broken promises, i know this video was 🎯. Thank you again and i subbed!
PS In UA-cam app settings, you can go incognito mode to test ads for Premium users
I appreciate that, and wow good to know about the icognito mode. Thanks
Totally agree! And earned a sub from me!
Another problem is that you can't charge the Beam while display HDMI content... so you can't play your Nintendo Switch for more than 1-2 hours using this lol
You gotta charge the Beam with a Nintendo Switch OEM charger. That'll solve all your worries!
I never hear the fan running on mine. I wonder if they adjusted something. Purchased it in early '24.
Your charging problem is because it turns back on when you plug in the power cord. After you plug it in hold the power button until you see the light turn completely off. The fan won’t run and you’ll get 100% charge
Oh, i thought i was using the wrong cable, but that makes sense because the fan runs when it's charging. Thank you fam.
Probably should update your video. I just subscribed btw
Note: Type C to C cable is only included if you pre-ordered the Beam. If you didn't, then you'd have to purchase one separately. Here's my Amazon affiliate link for a cable that i know works, most others won't work. amzn.to/3QzdvHO
What is it about the cable that determines whether it works?
I'm guessing it has to be proper USB 3.1, supporting fast data transfer, Power Delivery, and Display Port Alternate Mode.
Not just any old USB 2.0 cable with C plugs on the ends (which many are).
@jimdoom2276 yup i think it's all that you mentioned that is required. the other so called video output cables i tried didn't work.
@@jimdoom2276doesn’t work , been down that road , you need usb 4 or Thunderbolt 3, or 4
thanks for the video bro
I ordered it off amazon it came about a week earlier then the expected later date. Secondly there was no mention of a cable being included but it came with one. Lastly i dont think all usb c cables support video connections, same way some are rated for lower wattage.
At least apparently DRM agreement has been reached according to a rewiew about 6th September so Netflix, Prime and Disney+ work
I appreciate the honesty and true review of the xreal beam. You truly pointed out why this product is good, but not great while most other channels reported. 5/5
That was my goal, thank you for watching and dropping a comment.
Thanks for a great video, all you said is correct and true.
For cable: you need full function type-C to type-C this is high speed data transfer and super fast charging, its also called Type-C PD cable 100W . I ordered one but still waiting for it in the post.
Yeah i guess my mistake was using the one xreal included with my pre-order
So the cable that is provided with it is not adequate? I just received my beam adapter to day but not have used it yet.
2:02 thank you for explaining the eye fatigue in this way. I was considering this use case, but wasn't thinking about how much I adjust my head, not just my eyes when I look at a monitor.
Nice summary about the Beam unit and it’s features, issues and benefits. I just bought mine along with the Xreal AR 2 glasses and use them wired to my iPad and PC. I just signed up for the Nebula beta also, because one of my use cases with the Beam is to be able to have multiple PC windows (two or three of them) to support my daily business workflow). I’m looking forward to the ability to connect wirelessly…one benefit with doing that should be the ability to keep the Beam plugged into my USB C charging cable.
One thought that I had was about something you mentioned-having to try many different chargers before finally finding one that charges the Beam. My charger worked right off the bat. I suspect the reason why I didn’t have any problems was because my charger is plugged into an AC outlet and puts out up to 100 watts of power. Perhaps the Beam requires a certain level of wattage in order to accept a charge. We have a sailboat and sometimes take it to Catalina Island for the weekend. During these trips we don’t have live AC onboard because we are away from the dock and aren’t plugged into AC shorepower. With the boat power being DC I can charge, but only from a much lower power charger which is plugged into a 12 volt port like one you would find in your car. Thanks for pointing out that the Beam may not charge from every power source that you have available.
I’d like to jailbreak my Beam also in order to side load apps as well; I wonder if doing that would impair the unit’s ability to work with new and upcoming features and apps that Xreal will be making available for the unit in the future…
Xreal insider hear, the fan shouldn't be making that kind of whining noise. My Xreal beam dose make a fan noise, but you don't get a whine its just the air flow noise. i would consider contacting xreal about it you might have gotten a bad fan in your unit.
Thank you for that, because i was really wondering why no youtuber mentioned that noise. I will definitely reach out to them.
Appreciate the honesty mate.
No problem fam
the beam feels kinda shitty for my use since it doesnt get 120hz. The wireless connection also has so many problems
Wow, ya, bruh. You are pushing the envelope if you want high end gaming display. Maybe go buy one of the $4,000 VR goggles? This isn't a bad unit for the price, but imho it would be bad-ass if it could do 3-D display!!
You look ripped af my man 🙌
Bro, honest points mentioned here, sub'd!🤘
I'm getting mine in the mail within a week, and would love to see some instructional video on how to connect and set it up using the different modes like body anchor, fixed display and all that.
Been using my s23 ultra with the xreal glasses on flights playing offline content, and it's dope! But I do also feel that eye fatigue with the display staying locked wherever you look, that's why I bought the beam, excited to get it.
Keep on sharing, and thanks for keepin' it real! ❤
im getting my xreal air 2 pro on saturday, and the beam made it here in less than a day, i cant wait for it. any tips for using it?
I've used like 4 chargers on my beam and have not had any charging issues. Might have a bad unit
That's what I've been told so far
Good review! I bought mine mostly for body anchor mode. It works great for me and the video quality is better than on Nebula for Samsung. The fan is not loud for me and the price of this device is pried right. XRelal seems very much like an experiment to me. but what t does, it does well. Cant please everyone. oh... use a fast charger.
I agree with you on that. Someone from xreal told me my fan shouldn't be making the noises mine was making in the video, that i should contact support as i might have a defective unit.
@KingKola01 yeah. Mines cool as a cucumber. I'd imagine there are defective units being pushed out with the demand they were trying to meet.
I have XReal and Beam and has been doing some experiments myself. I see your videos are the best on this topic, so I just post here and hopefully helps some others. Also, I am going skip a few options that you already showed here and in later videos.
Wired connection from iPhone 14 to Beam using Apple's HDMI adapter by a HDMI to USB-C cable (HDMI has to be input, USB-C output, so be careful when ordering the cable). Some Netflix, Amazon Prime and Max shows work, not all. Only AirPods work as Bluetooth audio. Sony Bluetooth audio does not show up on iPhone to switch to. The videos that worked are older shows. I think the limitation here is the cable, because it is third party. I am waiting for XReal's HDMI to USB-C cable. The DRM contents are protected by a standard called HDCP, and there are multiple versions of it. I suspect the cable may not support the latest version, so I want to try a different cable.
For PC users, I recommend wired connection PC -> USB C -> Beam -> glasses. This way you can get the Body Anchor support and watching all DRM content on PC. The XReal Air just acts as a second or only monitor. The PC will also charge the Beam through USB-C (make sure it is a charging port), so as long as the PC is plugged in, you can use it as long as you need. This may not be very attractive at home and try to be comfortable, because you still have wires all over the place, but it is nice for travel. I think you have another video on this, but just want to add my experience.
I am going to try using XReal Air Adapter later. The claim is that should work with all DMR content. I will try both cables to see if I can further confirm my theory about the cables.
I will also try the first gen Chromecast. I don't have the latest one, but I think that should work. At least I used to be able to cast to TV from a phone.
Add notes: I hope iPhone 15 with USB-C be a lot easier. At least do away with the HDMI adapter. It may work just like PC.
Update 10/20/2023: The XReal HDMI to USB-C cable with iPhone's Lightening to HDMI adapter and Beam works. All contents on Netflix, Max and DisneyPlus work. Amazon Prime is flaky. You can watch one show, but when try to exit and watch a different one, it freezes on the last video and I had to disconnect and reconnect, basically reboot Beam. One problem with this set up is that I can't charge Beam as I watch, because the HDMI 2 USB-C cable can't carry power. If it is USB-C to USB-C, it can carry power, as long as you have a device, e.g. a laptop, that can provide power out. So far all cables from XReal (in the box or ordered separately) work. But I know many cheap cables on Amazon don't work. I ordered one from Amazon that worked really good and it is much thicker and stiffer than simple charge cables and it costs about the same as the XReal ones. So be aware of the cable you buy. So at this time, I am keep the XReal with Beam. Once the Beam can support DRM/HDCP 2.2, then will be stream and charge all the time and get rid of some of the cables. For iPhone 14 and earlier, the HDMI to USB-C is painful, so I may need to upgrade earlier than planned.
Great addition, thank you!
Great video! "This is good but not great" is pretty much my opinion all the time with any AR stuff right now. It's getting close to great but there's nothing there just yet imo, too many trade offs etc.
Do I have to have the BEAM for the spatial (non-fixed screen)?
I wish the XBeam would feature its own GoogleTV OS is with unlocked playstore. Seems that Viture neckband and Rokid Station have that but lack the anchor mode.
Right, i I really wish xreal did. But i'd rather have that body anchor mode as i hated having eye fatigue more from the screen being stuck.
Hey Kola, great video.
You did a very cool video showing how to setup 3 screens fixed in space using a Windows PC.
Since you now have the Beam as well, would you be able to do an update video showing how to setup 3 screens fixed in space using a Windows PC?
If you could show how it is done using the Beam wirelessly (for people with older pcs without usb-c port) without using Ginger or other third party software, that would be fantastic.
I am software developer and use 3 monitors daily. I can't work efficiently with less tbh. I am really keen on being able to have that luxury while travelling.
I really hope Air + Beam will allow me to do so. Waiting for my shipment next week and I am getting too excited!
Dude your issue with (beam) compare using Samsung phone with it instead is not existent for me. I use my xreal air with either my iPhone and my beam no problem.
I think you just wanted to get more views and a little outdone your self 🤔
By the way right now xreal air is on sale 200$ GREAT BUY
Hi, great content!
Do you know if the Beam can support a wired 3D signal (Full - SBS (3480x1080))?
I want to connect the Xreal Glasses to a MP4 Video Player (using the Beam) so I can also use the 3 Display Modes. I also have a USB - C to HDMI adapter from PeakDo.
Thanks
What a great review. Ah, honest review with no fluff. So appreciated. I did pre-order this device. I, too, was noting the same things you have pointed out. And yes, coming soon... so frustrating.
im 11 months late! but I would like to say that I appreciate you being honest! and you said it exactly right in the beginning of your video! reviewers get paid to say whatever they need to say.. you showed to me that you are independent! which means trustworthy when you review something! again.. I really really appreciate that in a time where it's so easy to sell yourself! subscribed!
thanks for the valuable info. i plan to purchase the beam and hub. i don't stream hulu etc, but i need to know for various reasons, not the least of which, i could mislead others. then, your comment about the wifi turning on automatically. that is the manufacturer's method of having idiots calling customer service because wifi is "not working". i enjoy your style of explaining. thanks for keeping is 100.
This guy is really annoyed he can’t stream Hulu… Netflix… a Netflix, Hulu… you know… Hulu… stream Netflix….Hulu….but he will keep it, because maybe in the future it will stream…Hulu… Netflix….maybe because you shouldn’t buy any device in promises…. Promises like streaming Hulu, Netflix…. Hopefully in the future it will stream Hulu…………….. Netflix.
I wish they had designed the beam to be basically a small screenless smartphone (maybe similar size and thinness to an iphone 13 mini because that is basically what it is supposed to do to take the place of your smartphone and unlock extra capabilities)with less features than a smartphone ie no camera, no sdcard slot, no speakers no antennas for LTE, just basically have a strong powereffucient SOC with bluetooth, wifi , a battery onboard storage and have it run android
Thank you for being informative instead of giving a sales pitch. Good work
I mean.... I was aware that there was different types of type c chords before this, And I think it's becoming more common knowledge. But yes there's More than one way to make a cable that simply has a type-c male end. newer devices need a lot of power to be put through the cable to charge them. And not every type c cable is capable. some wall outlets aren't even capable
it's like how thunderbolt cables can transfer a lot more data through them than other types of cables and then some type-c cables can't transfer data through them at all. And some are unidirectional.
so there's just a lot of ways to make a cable. I don't think that on its own is like damning to the device I just think the fact that it doesn't fucking work is the issue.
pixel 8 series OS updating for usbc displayport out. Do not use charge only cable.
Will watch hour follow xreal 2
I watched a lot of youtube reviews about this and the glasses before buying them. I feel like i got a comepletely different product than what they were reviewing. I mainly was interested in using them for productivity and work. Unfortunately nebula is no where near ready to actually use to the point i dont beleive it will ever be a good software. Granted i havent messed around with it much but i consider the beam useless. Like the poster said if you dont have a device with display port video out over usb c this thing will be a disappointment and youll probably have a better experience using a traditional monitor or tv. I hate returning products just because i made a bad choice or have buyers remorse, after having these for 4 days they are being returned, it works very poorly for all the use cases they market it for, i feel straight conned.
Thank you bro, you have one of the best real reviews of this thing. Please if you could also Review the XReal Air 2 Ultras that are supposed to ship soon we would appreciate that 🙌🏻🔥
Hello, I've had this device for 3 months and apart from the fact that I managed to do screen mirroring, I didn't manage to connect it to what it should do, the static image, I don't know how to do this. It would be very helpful if you could make a tutorial on how to really connect this Xreal beam so that it fulfills the function for which we bought it. Thank you and keep up the great work, RESPECT! PS You will definitely make a tutorial with those streameng applications and how Xreal Beam can be adapted to these applications.
I can't watch these applications correctly even with cable, I only see the subtitles of the movies but I have no image, can you tell me in a few words why?
Hello, I've had this device for 3 months and apart from the fact that I managed to do screen mirroring, I didn't manage to connect it to what it should do, the static image, I don't know how to do this. It would be very helpful if you could make a tutorial on how to really connect this Xreal beam so that it fulfills the function for which we bought it. Thank you and keep up the great work, RESPECT! PS You will definitely make a tutorial with those streameng applications and how Xreal Beam can be adapted to these applications.
Also, i really hope that my version of mobile would be supported soon cause otherwise ill be a bad investment for me. But otherwise the quality of video is pretty amazing. I also wish there'll be less lag whenever screen casting.
What are the supported resolutions to use on PC? is it possible to use 3840 x 1080 120Hz?¡
Bro I have the Quest 2 and Pico 4, got the Rokid Air and talked my boss into AR so he got the Xreal. I honestly couldnt believe how poor the entire experience was, there was not a single thing I found it useful for.
The current state of it is basically a Chromecast shoved into your face. Or an imptactical desktop from your phone. I returned the Rokid, my boss thinks the software will come around soon so he kept the Xreal. It's looking like the devs may be full of shit.
so if they (XREAL Beam, Formerly Nreal😏) was a paid sponsor his video, I wonder what his review would sound like?
I haven't used my glasses in a while, But, I will be soon ordering this,
So when y'all agreed to those terms, Nreal had to used their software,😬 did you think that they would one day turn all of you info over to another entity😲😏
Great review without the hype from flossy carter or the hundreds of paid advertisements in so-called reviews this is the best one❤❤❤. it's weird has a fan I mean smartphones run for hours casting streaming with no fan they could have made it up to plug into Android phones to act as a beam plugging your PS5 your switch steam deck to your Android adapter to the glasses
If you have a quest 2, the charger from the headset is compatible, and it charges the device at 100% in around 1.5 hours.
My main objection is that they went with battery powered. For a device (the glasses) that doesn't have its own power, why make an accessory that needs its own power? I don't want another heavy thing to carry around. Just run it off of the same power source that the glasses use, maybe with a 'Y" type splitter.
They really dropped the ball with not including charge and play
I think so too
I had also the charging problem but I fixed it. Use only cables with 2 USB-C. Than it workes.
CHARGING THE BEAM WOULD NEED A PD LAPTOP CHARGER BECAUSE ITS 9v 12 volt. MOST PHONE CHARGERS ARE ONLY MAX 5volts
Hey mate thinking about getting it one, it’s been a while since you posted this video, what about the issues now ? have they been resolved?
I just want it to stream the dji live stream from my mavic mini 2 on my galaxy fold to the glasses... hopefully it works for that 🤞
Fstigue from ar stable display is first world problem, change m6 mind.
Without an apple computer it's useless. Nebula app is not offered for Windows so most features are not available. Most disappointing purchase I have made in a long time. 3 out of 10 stars.
so funny I tried with my first charger and it worked, get an USB-C cable from Apple and its working also get the 20w charger
if the fan is on, the beam is running. hold the power button on the top to turn it off or on. and yes, you need a powerfull enough charger for it, not all will even charge faster than it discharges while in use.
You are actually right, this device does not even support their official application!! It's just a streaming device. I don't know what the benefit is.. Currently there are HDMI wireless devices. Why should I buy this device if it is just for streaming and does not even support many viewing applications?
Is XReal sending you a Beam Pro?
I don't know, but i hope so. Either way, i will have one to review for sure. I just feel like i can't trust most people's reviews.
@KingKola_ Yeah. I pre ordered one. The original Beam was a great upgrade to my XReal experience. I hope the Beam Pro has some additional features that make it a worthwhile purchase.
Thank you! i think this is a great product but it's for a niche use case. I think a lot of other reviewers are sponsored and are selling this like everyone should get one. Definitely not everyone should
👍Thank you for the honest review!
Better as the other biased reviews of UA-camrs who got the product for free or obviously advertise this product.
@KingKola01 Samsung had to wait for the FDA or FCC to OK the body temp so that is another reason why it was not on time.
I have been waiting for weeks for a review like this. This is the most useful video on Xreal beam I've seen online. You're awesome man.
Thanks fam, I try to keep people informed.
Have you tried any Apple products with it yet?
Also on my phone UA-cam premium iPhone 13 Pro Max won’t work
I'm not sure I understand this. If I purchase the classes and connect them to my Windows 11 laptop using an HDMI to USB-C port adapter (one in your description), will they work as intended? Or do I need to wait for the nebula app release for windows?
yes it will work as intended with just the glasses or via the beam. Though you may have to use an earphones. The audio didn't pass through on my older computer, but it does on my new one.
I have tried remote desktop access from the beam via the chrome remote desktop. It works but abit clunky as it is not a direct remote access like the Microsoft Remote Destop.
Hrest video i just always use my glasses with the redmagic adapter to charge and watch movies at the same time while playing steam deck in dexmode & only paid $20 for it
May be your device... mine charges with any and every charger. Fully charges, doesnt get hot and fan has never come on...
Xreal needs to add body anchor to the base device. They are all the way messed up for forcing you into buying the beam just to get that feature.
Great review! I was on the fence and I'll give it a few months now or the next version of Beam or the glasses themselves.
The main reason i would buy this, is to make 330 display, is this the only way to make that huge, right?
awesome review. I returned it as soon as I tried it out. The body anchor feature actually annoys the heck out of me since if you're watching videos, your field of view is fixed so it's similar to trying to watch a neighbor's TV through your own window where the visibility of the video you're watching would get cut off if you don't hold your head steady. Also, I'm a gamer and if I use the glass by itself connected directly to a Steam Deck for example, there's hardly any lag at all but through the beam, the lag is very noticeable, not to mention that the audio is also lagging which is insanely annoying. The Xbeam to me feels like an incomplete product and I really can't think of any good use for it so I returned it pretty much after 1 day.
I am a bit confused . Do u mean I can’t watch Netflix etc when wired to beam or wirelessly
Terrible experience with the beam, thought it can solve the wireless experience, instead I got a paperweight device. Best to avoid until the app started to come to the beam
My phone is compatible with the glasses but I lost the QRcode to scan on my new phone. What can I do?
I found it a little strange how they don't include at least 1 USB-C cable in the box because I think this could have solved half the issues I have with this. There is a still another solid half of issues but a lot of them COULD be resolved in software
Edit: For me it was trying to connect my phone through USB-C that has been a serious problem. Half the time it thinks it needs to charge
I definitely agree a lot of people seem to be having that issue. I pre-ordered mine and it came with a cord, but still some bugs. Software update should be coming soon per my sources.
Good thing I just pirate stuff, so just torrent everything and drm is no problem
Yes I got just got one and I am very disappointed, I’m going to have to send it back. Wish I watched this video before I bought one
I would pay $50 for locking in place. That’s all you get
Thanks, bro, you seem the beatle. Only one to tell the whole truth about this product after I bought it
I think your fan is broken. I haven’t heard mine at all.
good to know that this device , beam is not HDCP certified , makes it useless
Awesome review. Thanks to you I was able to avoid disappointment
Thanks for this information. It helped me.👍
I used the OnePlus 65w Warp Charger to charge my Beam.
Thank you letting me know not buying this crap device save money
My biggest criticism of the Beam, you can't set a custom scale for apps that you side load. I have the Android TV version of StremIO, annoyingly, some of the corners are missing. If I could make the scale just a tad smaller to make it fit perfectly, I'd be 100% happy. I am 95% happy with it though. It does serve it's purpose.
@@AlexBell1991 activate developer options, then toggle make floating windows resizeable, then you should be able to get the aspect ratio you want.
I control my media input so things like DRM don't matter, and will mostly use it for movies and my steam deck while I'm traveling. I think it's silly they had to make this device to give us 3dof. They have it in Nebula app so I call BS. Some phones couldn't handle it and but I think high end phones could. I'm glad they figured out a way to give me what I wanted and get them the money to get that done, but silly from a technical angle.
Does anyone know how to connect the iPhone wired to the beam? Do you need the xreal adapter?