Introduction
When I first heard about the XREAL Air AR glasses, I knew I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them. They seemed perfect in combining style with future technology and functionality, but – while there were some parts of the original Air glasses that I loved – I was disappointed that I couldn’t give them a positive review. They had potential, yes, but there were some major issues that needed fixing… which is why I was excited to hear that the new XREAL Air 2 glasses were on the way. And when I was asked to try them out for myself to see how they stack up against the original models? Excitement is an understatement. (XREAL also released the new Air 2 Pro glasses, but we haven’t tested those yet.)
First Impressions of the XREAL Air 2 Glasses
I actually remember when I opened the original Air glasses, and the experience did not disappoint then and does not disappoint now. The packaging is top-notch, and the XREAL Air 2 glasses came with an updated hard case, a cleaning cloth, a USB-C charging cable, a set of spare nose pads, and an improved light-blocking shield that attaches to the front to immerse yourself in the experience. Additionally, the new matte red color is stunning and fun, but if you’re more reserved about your gadgets, you can still get the humble dark gray.
Right after unboxing, the new Air 2 glasses look fantastic and feel comfortable. They resemble the original Air glasses in shape and weight, but there are some noticeable improvements that stand out. They are definitely lighter than the original Air, and XREAL has made significant upgrades to the nose pads and temples, giving the Air 2 a notable comfort boost.
I also ordered some custom prescription lenses to use with the original Air glasses, and I was pleased to find that I could install them in the Air 2 without any issues. Besides the new color, the Air 2 features a lighter design.
Comparing XREAL Air and Air 2 Glasses
It’s clear that comfort was a noticeable improvement when it comes to the XREAL Air 2 glasses compared to the previous generation. While I wasn’t mad about the weight of the original Air glasses, I found them uncomfortable for prolonged use, but the wearing experience on the Air 2 is much better. They are more comfortable and flexible, and I was happy to discover that I could wear the Air 2 for extended periods without any discomfort at all, whereas the original Air glasses caused pain on my nose and behind my ears after a while. This was a significant improvement in my opinion, and I was glad that XREAL paid attention to these little details.
In terms of the screens themselves, they looked almost identical to me – which is a good thing, as the original Air display was great. Specs indicate that the Air 2 has a brighter overall display, but I didn’t notice that and it wasn’t overly important. From here, the differences between the original Air glasses and the Air 2 are that the latter is much clearer and has significantly better color calibration than the first generation. It’s immediately obvious, especially in darker environments, that the Air 2 is a more precise screen with better color calibration. No more over-saturation or disappearing dark colors; these wearable glasses provide a balanced and immersive experience across the full spectrum that far surpasses XREAL’s first attempt.
Additionally, at some point between my original review and now, the issue with 3D video has been resolved, which was one of the major complaints I had about the original Air glasses. It took some effort and technical know-how, but instead of behaving like a 1920 x 1080 display being sent to each lens, the Air 2 presents itself as a 3840 x 1080 display – with each lens functioning as half the screen – making it possible to watch 3D video files side by side.
Audio
The built-in speaker in the glasses is impressive and well-formed, but the addition of “directional audio” to reduce sound leakage doesn’t seem to make a difference. If you are looking for a more private listening experience, I still recommend using headphones or earbuds, either of which can be easily used with Air 2.
The best part of the Air 2 glasses is sold separately
If we are going to talk about the major improvements – the most significant – that happen between Air and Air 2, most of the enhancement occurs in the ancillary product: XREAL Beam, which is sold for $119.
The best way I can describe Beam is that it’s a very small device packed with augmented reality technology; it’s the device that turns Air 2 into a complete augmented reality experience. It has a small control panel that acts as a pointer/remote control, which might be a bit uncomfortable, but the augmented reality experience is worth it. Beam (sold separately) is the answer to our prayers in the realm of augmented reality.
It’s hard to describe without experiencing it yourself, but when using Beam, any device that outputs video via USB-C is turned into a virtual screen in the real space of your room. And unlike the original Air glasses – it stays there. You can turn your back to the screen and return to it, or you can make it small and move it aside. Compare this to the original Air experience, where the screen follows wherever you look; this is a much smoother, stronger, and far more satisfying augmented reality experience.
Even though I was disappointed that it was a separate device, it really makes sense, and it solves many of the issues I had with the augmented reality experience in the original Air glasses. I used it to keep a recipe on my glasses while cooking (from a distance, of course), watching YouTube videos while doing laundry, or even watching movies or playing video games on a massive virtual screen in front of my stationary bike while working out.
Better yet? Beam can function as a wireless display for my smartphone, meaning no need to choose between charging your phone and watching videos – another major improvement over the original Air glasses.
But that’s not all Beam can do, and this is where my excitement starts to build a little. Beam is a new class of smart device in itself. There’s no need for a phone or another device. It runs on Android, so you can install many Android apps directly onto Beam itself. However, the experience here is a bit confusing – and I hope XREAL improves that in the future – but because of their commitment to a smart device, this opens up a whole world of possibilities for the augmented reality market.
3D apps are not available yet, and I would like to see the development of hardware and software, but if XREAL can encourage a community of enthusiastic developers, they will solidify their position in augmented reality before Meta or Samsung enters the competition. If done right, they will set the standard by which other augmented reality products are measured.
What I would like to see from XREAL in the future
Although this isn’t very much related to the Air 2 glasses themselves, there is one thing I would like to see from XREAL that I believe would make this glasses experience a million times better: a marketplace for usable 3D apps.
Yes, I can install 2D apps and run them in 3D, but XREAL is so close to the rich and functional 3D/augmented reality experience that I can taste it. The Air glasses have been on the market long enough that there should be a market for the existing XREAL apps that really make use of the 3D space – but it doesn’t exist yet.
Element
Another item on my wishlist? Charging the browser with Beam (or at least showing the browser that has already been installed). It’s strange that you have to connect it to a computer via USB and run file transfer programs to load Android apps. It would be great for users to have access to an app store, but I understand that XREAL might not want to get involved in all that, so just let users download apps directly onto Beam.
As for the Air 2 glasses themselves, and honestly at the bottom of my priority list? A wider field of view would be nice.
Are the XREAL Air 2 glasses worth the price?
I must say that I am really happy with the improvements XREAL has made on the original Air glasses. A lot of criticisms were raised on the first version of the Air glasses, and every issue I pointed out – and more – has been addressed, which is quite impressive. The company has proven that it can tackle challenges, which is rare when dealing with relatively new technology in a market that doesn’t have much competition (yet).
However, do I think the Air 2 is worth the investment? While these glasses are a bit pricey at $399, the answer is “yes” for me. The Air 2 is a polished product in its own right, and as a flat external screen for watching movies, working on the go (one of my favorite uses), or playing video games while lying in bed – it performs even better than the previous generation. Compared to the original Air glasses, it seems that XREAL has focused on what works and eliminated what doesn’t, resulting in a significantly better experience.
As for Beam, it depends. If you are an early adopter, a tech enthusiast, or if you just want to enhance your experience with Air, it’s a great device. I don’t regret owning it at all, and I’m excited to continue seeing what will happen. However, if you’re looking for a more complete experience, or if you don’t want to spend an additional $119 right away, it might be better to wait for the next generation. Given the improvements that XREAL made from Air to Air 2, I can’t wait to see what they’ll do in the future.
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