ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Xreal 1S sells for $449, and the Xreal Neo accessory goes for $99
- Viewing native content in 3D is easy and fun, the on-board controls are powerful, and the glasses are comfortable.
- The volume could be louder for use on transit, and there are no diopter adjustments, so you may need to buy prescription inserts.
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The latest Xreal 1S glasses introduce several notable upgrades and a launch price that’s somehow lower than that of their predecessor. So what’s the catch?
It turns out, after testing them for a good month now, there’s no twist or turn. Compared to its predecessor, the Xreal 1S increases the field of view from 50 to 52 degrees, boosts the resolution from 1080p to 1200p, enhances the aspect ratio from 16:9 to 16:10, and increases available brightness from 500 nits to 700 nits. It’s better in every way, but cheaper.
Also: I wore the world’s first HDR10 smart glasses, and they can easily replace my living room TV
Alongside the glasses, Xreal also launched the Neo accessory, which serves as a compact 10,000 mAh battery bank and a DisplayPort video hub. This video hub capability is required to use a Nintendo Switch 1 or 2 with XR glasses, due to Nintendo’s hardware limitation with the USB-C port. Here’s how my experience been using both new devices.
How are the glasses?
I’ve been using the Xreal 1S glasses for the past few weeks during my daily commute, while working with Surface and MacBook Pro computers, and while sitting in chairs at home with my Nintendo Switch. The Xreal 1S is very similar to the Xreal One Pro, with experiences powered by the Xreal X1 spatial computing chip.
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With a $200 savings over the Xreal One Pro, I don’t think many folks will miss out on the difference in field of view and other advanced features.
Unless there are specific games limited to the Switch 2, buying a pair of Xreal 1Ss to complement your existing Switch 1 is likely to give you a better mobile gaming experience.
As part of the X1 chip, the Xreal 1S is the first pair of Xreal glasses to support Real 3D. While Viture glasses require you to run the SpaceWalker application and offer limited content for conversion, Xreal provides 2D-to-3D conversion of any content you like, powered by the glasses with no special software or accessories required.
Make one of the quick button options a toggle between 2D and 3D, so you can even see your phone’s home screen transform into a 3D view. The conversion works well, and it’s fun to enjoy movies and home videos in 3D with a simple button press.
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The Xreal 1S is available in dark navy blue, with the lower-right button colored red to make it stand out as the main control mechanism. Three levels of adjustment are available on the two frame pieces, allowing you to find the optimal angle for your needs.
There are various nose pieces to find the perfect fit, and overall, the 82-gram glasses are extremely comfortable for long-term use.
The ability to easily enable ultra-wide screen mode on my laptops is key to productivity, and I will not travel without a pair of XR glasses. I also love the 3DoF tracking that lets me watch content and then turn my head to see through the glasses and observe my surroundings.
Also: These XR glasses effectively replaced my dual monitors
The Xreal 1S also supports the Eye camera module accessory that enables 6DoF spatial anchoring and content capturing with virtual environment overlays. The audio sounds good coming from the two downward-facing speakers on the frames, but the volume is a bit low for me while commuting on the train, so external earbuds are needed for a better audio experience in some areas.
Xreal Neo accessory
One limitation of using your smartphone or gaming device with your Xreal 1S glasses is that your device’s battery will drain while it provides video content. The new Xreal Neo is a compact 10,000 mAh battery with an integrated USB-C cable for charging your device. The Neo features two USB-C ports: one for charging the Neo and the other for connecting your Xreal glasses.
If you own a Nintendo Switch 1 or 2, then you can use the Neo as both a battery pack and a DisplayPort video hub. It’s easy to carry, measuring 121.3 x 73 x 21.7 mm and weighing just 244 grams. An integrated metal kickstand on the back lets you prop it up for easy storage.
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The front features a powerful magnet that securely attaches the Neo to your smartphone or other device with a magnetic or metal back. The package even comes with two round magnetic stickers; the one for Switch 2 even supports the long rear Switch kickstand.
The Neo charges at 30W and outputs up to 20W. When paired with a powerful wall charger, the Neo can deliver up to 45W of output.
The Neo also upgrades the Nintendo Switch from 720p to 1200p in TV mode, and I can no longer play it without a pair of XR glasses. Steam Deck gameplay is also upgraded with faster refresh rates provided by the Neo.
ZDNET’s buying advice
Xreal continues to impress with its AR glasses, and the Xreal 1S sets a new bar for glasses in the sub-$500 price range. If you enjoy mobile gaming, travel with a laptop, and want multiple screens for getting work done, or want to enjoy private big-screen media experiences, consider the Xreal 1S.
The onboard 2D-to-3D conversion is easy to use, and the results are excellent, especially for computing tasks on lightweight glasses.
