The leading augmented reality (AR) corporations, China's Xreal, launched the augmented reality (AR) glasses "Xreal One" last month at a reasonable price of around 600,000 won, allowing users to enjoy 3D videos similar to Apple's Vision Pro. A key advantage is the ability to capture memorable moments with a dedicated device and relive them in high definition. With a high-performance display, users can experience video content vividly. The product's relatively lightweight design reduces the burden of carrying it compared to headset-type products.
However, there is a lack of new content compared to its predecessor, and compatibility issues arise with devices that do not use the dedicated device or Android operating system (OS), reducing its usability. I used the Xreal One for a week.
◇ Full HD high resolution achieves a screen exceeding 147 inches… immersion in 3D videos increases
The advantage of the Xreal One is its high resolution. The Xreal One features a micro organic light-emitting diode (OLED) that can achieve a 1080P full HD level on a 147-inch screen. The display area is also 20.7% larger than the previous Xreal Air 2 series. The built-in chip, X1, provides a refresh rate of 120 Hz and latency of only about 3 milliseconds, significantly shorter than the 20 milliseconds of existing products from other manufacturers. Longer latency leads to choppy video playback, making it feel unnatural. The viewing angle of the screen is also improved to 50 degrees, up from 46 degrees in the predecessor.
Wearing the Xreal One and playing videos of natural landscapes from places like Ireland and the Maldives on YouTube felt vividly like being there in person. Even when set to the highest quality of 2180P, the screen displayed smoothly without interruptions, enhancing immersion. This advantage was especially pronounced while watching action movies with high graphics.
If you record videos using the camera of the newly released Xreal dedicated device "3D BeamPro" this year, you can utilize the high-quality 3D video features with the glasses. Once you finish shooting the 3D video with the BeamPro, you can watch it immediately on the Xreal One without any separate transfer process. After filming the interior of a living room in the house, the objects like the dining table felt three-dimensional as if they were right in front of me. This functionality is similar to the "spatial video" of Apple's mixed reality (MR) headset, Vision Pro.
A feature that can enhance content immersion is also applied. By pressing a button, you can block incoming light through the lenses. The light transmittance can be adjusted in stages of 0%, 50%, and 100%. This feature is suitable for use in bright outdoor sunlight or in rooms with strong lighting.
◇ Directional speaker performance is decent… convenient portability at a weight of around 80g
The speaker performance was also satisfactory. The speakers of the Xreal One are mounted on both sides of the glasses. While the small size of the speakers does not achieve the sound quality of standard earphones, it is adequate for watching videos and listening to music. Thanks to the directional speakers (which transmit sound in a specific direction), only the user wearing the glasses hears the audio, making it usable in public places. However, when the volume is turned up to maximum, the sound can be heard by nearby people.
The product weighs 84g, which is heavier than the previous Air 2 Pro (75g). This is due to the use of magnesium alloy material, which offers better durability than earlier generations. While it is slightly heavier than its predecessor, it does not feel excessively heavy. Compared to other headset-type products like the Vision Pro, which weighs nearly 500g, it is less of a burden. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry in a case.
◇ Difficult to find compatibility with various devices… no new content
The device compatibility of the Xreal One was disappointing. It can be used with iPhones, Android devices, Windows PCs, and MacBooks. However, if you do not have a BeamPro or an Android OS product, you can only use the mirroring function that displays the same screen as the device. Users without an Android OS device are required to purchase the BeamPro, which costs over 300,000 won, a significant expense. Without purchasing the BeamPro, it is challenging to utilize the 3D video function.
Issues arose where the Xreal One did not properly compatible with certain Android OS devices. When connecting the Xreal One to a Galaxy S21, only mirroring worked, and the dedicated application was not recognized. Similar complaints can be found in community posts.
The lack of new content was also disappointing. The price of the Xreal One is 680,000 won, the same as the previous model, but aside from the 3D video function, there are very few newly introduced features.