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{{Device Infobox
{{Device Infobox
|name = Nreal Light
|image =
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Type = [[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[Consumer AR]]
|Release Date = 2020
|Platform = [[Nebula]] (Nreal/Xreal software)
|Price = $499
|Creator = [[Nreal]] (now [[Xreal]])
|Display = 2 x OLED binocular
|Developer = [[Nreal]]
|Resolution = 1920x1080 per-eye
|Manufacturer = [[Nreal]]
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Announcement Date = January 2019 (CES)
|Release Date = 2020 (Korea first), December 2021 (US)
|Price = $599 (US retail)
|Website = https://www.xreal.com/ (rebranded)
|Versions = Nreal Light Developer Kit, Nreal Light Consumer Edition
|Requires = Compatible smartphone with USB-C DP (or computing unit)
|Predecessor = None
|Successor = [[Xreal Air]]
|Operating System = Works with Android (Nebula app), Windows
|Chipset = N/A (phone-powered)
|CPU = N/A (phone-powered)
|GPU = N/A (phone-powered)
|HPU =
|Storage = N/A
|Memory = N/A
|SD Card Slot = No
|Display = Dual Sony micro-OLED
|Subpixel Layout = RGB stripe
|Peak Brightness = 1000 nits
|Resolution = 1920 × 1080 per eye (1080p)
|Pixel Density = ~40 PPD
|Refresh Rate = 60Hz
|Persistence = Low persistence
|Field of View = 52° diagonal
|Field of View = 52° diagonal
|Horizontal FoV =  
|Horizontal FoV = ~50°
|Vertical FoV =  
|Vertical FoV = ~40°
|Diagonal FoV = 52°
|Average Pixel Density = ~40 PPD
|IPD Range =  
|Peak Pixel Density = ~40 PPD
|Foveated Rendering = No
|Optics = Birdbath waveguide
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular
|IPD Range = Fixed (~66mm)
|Adjustable Diopter = No (prescription lens inserts available)
|Passthrough = Native see-through (AR glasses)
|Tracking = 6DoF inside-out (SLAM)
|Tracking Frequency = N/A
|Base Stations = None required
|Eye Tracking = No
|Face Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = No
|Body Tracking = No
|Rotational Tracking = Yes
|Positional Tracking = Yes
|Update Rate = 60Hz
|Tracking Volume = Room-scale
|Play Space = Mobile AR
|Latency = <40ms
|Audio = Dual directional speakers
|Microphone = Yes (dual)
|3.5mm Audio Jack = No
|Camera = 1× RGB camera (right lens)
|Connectivity = USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
|Ports = USB-C
|Wired Video = Yes (USB-C DP)
|Wireless Video = No
|WiFi = No (in glasses)
|Bluetooth = No (in glasses)
|Power = Powered by host device
|Battery Capacity = N/A
|Battery Life = N/A (powered by source)
|Charge Time = N/A
|Dimensions = 146 × 175 × 44mm (in use)
|Weight = 88g
|Material = Plastic
|Headstrap = None (glasses temples)
|Haptics = No
|Color = Black
|Sensors = 2× tracking cameras, IMU, RGB camera
|Input = Phone-based controls, 3DoF controller (optional)
|Compliance = FCC, CE
}}
}}


'''Nreal Light''' is an [[augmented reality]] [[head-mounted display]] released in 2020.
The '''Nreal Light''' is a lightweight phone-powered [[augmented reality]] glasses device developed by [[Nreal]] (now rebranded as [[Xreal]]), unveiled at CES in January 2019 and released commercially in 2020 (Korea) and December 2021 (United States) at a price of approximately $599. The Nreal Light was among the first consumer-accessible AR glasses to offer 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) spatial tracking in a sunglasses-like form factor weighing just 88 grams. Unlike display-only smart glasses, the Nreal Light featured dual 1080p Sony micro-OLED displays, SLAM-based spatial mapping through dual tracking cameras, and the ability to anchor virtual objects in physical space—capabilities previously found only in enterprise devices like Microsoft HoloLens. By tethering to a compatible smartphone via USB-C, the Light delivered mixed reality experiences at a fraction of the cost of standalone AR headsets.


== Specifications ==
== History and Development ==
* '''Display:''' 2 x OLED binocular
* '''Resolution:''' 1920x1080 per-eye
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 60 Hz
* '''Field of View:''' 52° diagonal


* '''Price:''' $499
=== Nreal Founding ===
Company background:
* Founded 2017 in Beijing
* Chi Xu (former Magic Leap engineer) CEO
* Consumer AR focus
* Aggressive pricing strategy
 
=== CES 2019 Announcement ===
Industry debut:
* First public demonstration
* $499 target price announced
* Lightweight form factor shown
* Strong press reception
 
=== Developer Kit Phase ===
2019-2020:
* Developer kits shipped
* SDK development
* Partnership building
* Carrier relationships
 
=== Commercial Launch ===
Regional rollout:
* Korea (August 2020)
* Japan (December 2020)
* Germany, Spain (2021)
* United States (December 2021)
 
=== Rebranding to Xreal ===
2023 name change:
* Nreal → Xreal
* Global expansion focus
* Consumer market emphasis
* Continued development
 
== Design Philosophy ==
 
=== Consumer-First ===
Mass market approach:
* Affordable price point
* Lightweight form factor
* Smartphone-powered
* Easy to use
 
=== True AR Capability ===
Beyond display glasses:
* 6DoF spatial tracking
* Object anchoring
* Environment understanding
* Mixed reality experiences
 
=== Sunglasses Form Factor ===
Wearable design:
* 88 grams
* Glasses appearance
* Extended wear comfort
* Portable
 
== Display Technology ==
 
=== Sony Micro-OLED ===
Premium displays:
* '''Resolution''': 1920 × 1080 per eye
* '''Type''': Sony micro-OLED
* '''Brightness''': 1000 nits
* '''Virtual Screen''': ~201 inches at 6 meters
 
=== Visual Quality ===
Good imagery:
* Sharp 1080p per eye
* Vibrant OLED colors
* Deep blacks
* Wide color gamut
 
=== Field of View ===
52° diagonal:
* Wider than HoloLens 1
* Good for AR experiences
* Adequate canvas
* Reasonable for price
 
=== Brightness ===
High visibility:
* 1000 nits maximum
* Indoor and outdoor use
* Competitive brightness
* Clear in various lighting
 
== Optical System ==
 
=== Birdbath Waveguide ===
Light guide technology:
* Reflective optics
* See-through capability
* Compact form factor
* Good image quality
 
=== See-Through ===
AR transparency:
* View real world
* Digital overlay
* Natural interaction
* Environmental awareness
 
== 6DoF Tracking ==
 
=== SLAM Technology ===
Spatial awareness:
* Simultaneous localization and mapping
* Environment understanding
* Real-time positioning
* Camera-based tracking
 
=== Dual Tracking Cameras ===
Stereo vision:
* Two tracking cameras
* Position calculation
* Movement tracking
* Spatial mapping
 
=== Tracking Features ===
Mixed reality capabilities:
* Plane detection
* Surface recognition
* Image tracking
* Object anchoring
 
=== Tracking Quality ===
Performance:
* Reliable room-scale
* Good positional accuracy
* Environment-dependent
* Competitive with enterprise
 
== Phone Connectivity ==
 
=== USB-C DisplayPort ===
Connection method:
* USB-C with DP Alt Mode
* Single cable
* Powers glasses
* Video and data
 
=== Compatible Phones ===
Device requirements:
* USB-C DisplayPort support
* Android primarily
* Select flagship phones
* Computing unit alternative
 
=== Nebula App ===
Software platform:
* Android companion app
* AR experiences
* Display modes
* Settings control
 
=== Computing Unit ===
Alternative power:
* Optional computing unit
* PC connection
* Standalone mode
* Extended compatibility
 
== Audio ==
 
=== Directional Speakers ===
Built-in audio:
* Dual speakers
* Private listening
* Decent quality
* Convenient
 
=== Dual Microphones ===
Voice capture:
* Communication capable
* Voice commands
* Video calls
* Recording
 
== Camera ==
 
=== RGB Camera ===
World capture:
* Single camera (right lens)
* Photo capability
* AR content capture
* Video recording
 
== Physical Design ==
 
=== Weight ===
Ultra-lightweight:
* 88 grams
* Comfortable extended wear
* Glasses-comparable
* Revolutionary for AR
 
=== Form Factor ===
Sunglasses style:
* Folds for storage
* Portable case included
* Wearable appearance
* Premium feel
 
=== Materials ===
Quality construction:
* Plastic frame
* Polycarbonate lenses
* Light shields included
* Durable design
 
=== Nose Pads ===
Fit options:
* Multiple sizes included
* Adjustable fit
* Comfort customization
 
== Input Methods ==
 
=== Phone-Based Control ===
Primary input:
* Phone touchscreen
* Nebula app interface
* Gesture control
* Voice commands
 
=== Optional Controller ===
3DoF accessory:
* Pointer-style input
* Motion control
* Additional purchase
* Enhanced interaction
 
=== Gaze Control ===
Head-based input:
* Look to select
* Dwell to confirm
* Hands-free option
* Accessibility
 
== Software Platform ==
 
=== Nebula ===
AR platform:
* Multiple virtual screens
* AR experiences
* App launcher
* Settings
 
=== MR Space ===
Mixed reality mode:
* Spatial AR
* Object placement
* Environment interaction
* 6DoF experiences
 
=== Air Casting ===
Display mode:
* Large virtual screen
* Video viewing
* Gaming display
* Productivity
 
== Use Cases ==
 
=== Entertainment ===
Media viewing:
* Large virtual screen
* Video streaming
* Gaming display
* Personal cinema
 
=== Mixed Reality ===
AR experiences:
* Spatial apps
* Object placement
* Interactive content
* Demo applications
 
=== Productivity ===
Work applications:
* Multiple displays
* Video conferencing
* Document viewing
* Mobile office
 
=== Gaming ===
Play experiences:
* AR games
* Phone gaming display
* Immersive play
* Cloud gaming
 
== Market Evolution ==
 
=== Pioneer Consumer AR ===
Category creation:
* First affordable 6DoF AR glasses
* Consumer market validation
* Price/feature balance
* Mass market potential
 
=== Transition to Xreal Air ===
Product evolution:
* Xreal Air successor (simplified)
* Display-focused direction
* Broader compatibility
* Mainstream positioning
 
== Comparison with Competitors ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Feature !! Nreal Light !! Magic Leap 1 !! HoloLens 1
|-
| Price || $599 || $2,295 || $3,000
|-
| Weight || 88g || 316g + 415g || 579g
|-
| FOV || 52° || ~40° || ~30°
|-
| Resolution/eye || 1920×1080 || 1280×960 || 1268×720
|-
| Tracking || 6DoF (SLAM) || 6DoF (SLAM) || 6DoF (SLAM)
|-
| Form Factor || Glasses || Goggles + pack || Headset
|-
| Standalone || No (phone) || Yes || Yes
|}
 
== Legacy ==
 
=== Consumer AR Pioneer ===
Market impact:
* Proved consumer AR viable
* Price point breakthrough
* Form factor innovation
* 6DoF accessibility
 
=== Xreal Foundation ===
Company evolution:
* Technology base
* Market learning
* Brand development
* Product iteration
 
== Technical Specifications Summary ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! Details
|-
| Display || Dual Sony micro-OLED, 1920 × 1080 per eye
|-
| FOV || 52° diagonal
|-
| Brightness || 1000 nits
|-
| Virtual Screen || ~201" at 6m
|-
| Tracking || 6DoF SLAM (dual cameras)
|-
| Connection || USB-C (DP Alt Mode)
|-
| Audio || Dual directional speakers
|-
| Camera || RGB camera
|-
| Weight || 88g
|-
| Price || $599
|}


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Augmented Reality]]
* [[Xreal]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[Xreal Air]]
* [[Xreal Air 2 Ultra]]
* [[AR Glasses]]
* [[AR Glasses]]
* [[Micro-OLED]]
* [[Consumer AR]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Consumer AR]]
[[Category:Xreal]]
[[Category:Micro-OLED]]
[[Category:2020s AR]]

Latest revision as of 03:10, 8 January 2026

Nreal Light
Basic Info
VR/AR Augmented Reality
Type AR Glasses
Subtype Consumer AR
Platform Nebula (Nreal/Xreal software)
Creator Nreal (now Xreal)
Developer Nreal
Manufacturer Nreal
Announcement Date January 2019 (CES)
Release Date 2020 (Korea first), December 2021 (US)
Price $599 (US retail)
Website https://www.xreal.com/ (rebranded)
Versions Nreal Light Developer Kit, Nreal Light Consumer Edition
Requires Compatible smartphone with USB-C DP (or computing unit)
Predecessor None
Successor Xreal Air
System
Operating System Works with Android (Nebula app), Windows
Chipset N/A (phone-powered)
CPU N/A (phone-powered)
GPU N/A (phone-powered)
Storage
Storage N/A
Memory N/A
SD Card Slot No
Display
Display Dual Sony micro-OLED
Subpixel Layout RGB stripe
Peak Brightness 1000 nits
Resolution 1920 × 1080 per eye (1080p)
Pixel Density ~40 PPD
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Persistence Low persistence
Image
Field of View 52° diagonal
Horizontal FoV ~50°
Vertical FoV ~40°
Average Pixel Density ~40 PPD
Peak Pixel Density ~40 PPD
Foveated Rendering No
Optics
Optics Birdbath waveguide
Ocularity Binocular
IPD Range Fixed (~66mm)
Adjustable Diopter No (prescription lens inserts available)
Passthrough Native see-through (AR glasses)
Tracking
Tracking 6DoF inside-out (SLAM)
Tracking Frequency N/A
Base Stations None required
Eye Tracking No
Face Tracking No
Hand Tracking No
Body Tracking No
Rotational Tracking Yes
Positional Tracking Yes
Update Rate 60Hz
Tracking Volume Room-scale
Play Space Mobile AR
Latency <40ms
Audio
Audio Dual directional speakers
Microphone Yes (dual)
3.5mm Audio Jack No
Camera 1× RGB camera (right lens)
Connectivity
Connectivity USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
Ports USB-C
Wired Video Yes (USB-C DP)
Wireless Video No
WiFi No (in glasses)
Bluetooth No (in glasses)
Power Powered by host device
Battery Capacity N/A
Battery Life N/A (powered by source)
Charge Time N/A
Device
Dimensions 146 × 175 × 44mm (in use)
Weight 88g
Material Plastic
Headstrap None (glasses temples)
Haptics No
Color Black
Sensors 2× tracking cameras, IMU, RGB camera
Input Phone-based controls, 3DoF controller (optional)
Compliance FCC, CE

Property "Platform" (as page type) with input value "Nebula]] (Nreal/Xreal software)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Creator" (as page type) with input value "Nreal]] (now Xreal)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Latency" (as page type) with input value "" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.


The Nreal Light is a lightweight phone-powered augmented reality glasses device developed by Nreal (now rebranded as Xreal), unveiled at CES in January 2019 and released commercially in 2020 (Korea) and December 2021 (United States) at a price of approximately $599. The Nreal Light was among the first consumer-accessible AR glasses to offer 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) spatial tracking in a sunglasses-like form factor weighing just 88 grams. Unlike display-only smart glasses, the Nreal Light featured dual 1080p Sony micro-OLED displays, SLAM-based spatial mapping through dual tracking cameras, and the ability to anchor virtual objects in physical space—capabilities previously found only in enterprise devices like Microsoft HoloLens. By tethering to a compatible smartphone via USB-C, the Light delivered mixed reality experiences at a fraction of the cost of standalone AR headsets.

History and Development

Nreal Founding

Company background:

  • Founded 2017 in Beijing
  • Chi Xu (former Magic Leap engineer) CEO
  • Consumer AR focus
  • Aggressive pricing strategy

CES 2019 Announcement

Industry debut:

  • First public demonstration
  • $499 target price announced
  • Lightweight form factor shown
  • Strong press reception

Developer Kit Phase

2019-2020:

  • Developer kits shipped
  • SDK development
  • Partnership building
  • Carrier relationships

Commercial Launch

Regional rollout:

  • Korea (August 2020)
  • Japan (December 2020)
  • Germany, Spain (2021)
  • United States (December 2021)

Rebranding to Xreal

2023 name change:

  • Nreal → Xreal
  • Global expansion focus
  • Consumer market emphasis
  • Continued development

Design Philosophy

Consumer-First

Mass market approach:

  • Affordable price point
  • Lightweight form factor
  • Smartphone-powered
  • Easy to use

True AR Capability

Beyond display glasses:

  • 6DoF spatial tracking
  • Object anchoring
  • Environment understanding
  • Mixed reality experiences

Sunglasses Form Factor

Wearable design:

  • 88 grams
  • Glasses appearance
  • Extended wear comfort
  • Portable

Display Technology

Sony Micro-OLED

Premium displays:

  • Resolution: 1920 × 1080 per eye
  • Type: Sony micro-OLED
  • Brightness: 1000 nits
  • Virtual Screen: ~201 inches at 6 meters

Visual Quality

Good imagery:

  • Sharp 1080p per eye
  • Vibrant OLED colors
  • Deep blacks
  • Wide color gamut

Field of View

52° diagonal:

  • Wider than HoloLens 1
  • Good for AR experiences
  • Adequate canvas
  • Reasonable for price

Brightness

High visibility:

  • 1000 nits maximum
  • Indoor and outdoor use
  • Competitive brightness
  • Clear in various lighting

Optical System

Birdbath Waveguide

Light guide technology:

  • Reflective optics
  • See-through capability
  • Compact form factor
  • Good image quality

See-Through

AR transparency:

  • View real world
  • Digital overlay
  • Natural interaction
  • Environmental awareness

6DoF Tracking

SLAM Technology

Spatial awareness:

  • Simultaneous localization and mapping
  • Environment understanding
  • Real-time positioning
  • Camera-based tracking

Dual Tracking Cameras

Stereo vision:

  • Two tracking cameras
  • Position calculation
  • Movement tracking
  • Spatial mapping

Tracking Features

Mixed reality capabilities:

  • Plane detection
  • Surface recognition
  • Image tracking
  • Object anchoring

Tracking Quality

Performance:

  • Reliable room-scale
  • Good positional accuracy
  • Environment-dependent
  • Competitive with enterprise

Phone Connectivity

USB-C DisplayPort

Connection method:

  • USB-C with DP Alt Mode
  • Single cable
  • Powers glasses
  • Video and data

Compatible Phones

Device requirements:

  • USB-C DisplayPort support
  • Android primarily
  • Select flagship phones
  • Computing unit alternative

Nebula App

Software platform:

  • Android companion app
  • AR experiences
  • Display modes
  • Settings control

Computing Unit

Alternative power:

  • Optional computing unit
  • PC connection
  • Standalone mode
  • Extended compatibility

Audio

Directional Speakers

Built-in audio:

  • Dual speakers
  • Private listening
  • Decent quality
  • Convenient

Dual Microphones

Voice capture:

  • Communication capable
  • Voice commands
  • Video calls
  • Recording

Camera

RGB Camera

World capture:

  • Single camera (right lens)
  • Photo capability
  • AR content capture
  • Video recording

Physical Design

Weight

Ultra-lightweight:

  • 88 grams
  • Comfortable extended wear
  • Glasses-comparable
  • Revolutionary for AR

Form Factor

Sunglasses style:

  • Folds for storage
  • Portable case included
  • Wearable appearance
  • Premium feel

Materials

Quality construction:

  • Plastic frame
  • Polycarbonate lenses
  • Light shields included
  • Durable design

Nose Pads

Fit options:

  • Multiple sizes included
  • Adjustable fit
  • Comfort customization

Input Methods

Phone-Based Control

Primary input:

  • Phone touchscreen
  • Nebula app interface
  • Gesture control
  • Voice commands

Optional Controller

3DoF accessory:

  • Pointer-style input
  • Motion control
  • Additional purchase
  • Enhanced interaction

Gaze Control

Head-based input:

  • Look to select
  • Dwell to confirm
  • Hands-free option
  • Accessibility

Software Platform

Nebula

AR platform:

  • Multiple virtual screens
  • AR experiences
  • App launcher
  • Settings

MR Space

Mixed reality mode:

  • Spatial AR
  • Object placement
  • Environment interaction
  • 6DoF experiences

Air Casting

Display mode:

  • Large virtual screen
  • Video viewing
  • Gaming display
  • Productivity

Use Cases

Entertainment

Media viewing:

  • Large virtual screen
  • Video streaming
  • Gaming display
  • Personal cinema

Mixed Reality

AR experiences:

  • Spatial apps
  • Object placement
  • Interactive content
  • Demo applications

Productivity

Work applications:

  • Multiple displays
  • Video conferencing
  • Document viewing
  • Mobile office

Gaming

Play experiences:

  • AR games
  • Phone gaming display
  • Immersive play
  • Cloud gaming

Market Evolution

Pioneer Consumer AR

Category creation:

  • First affordable 6DoF AR glasses
  • Consumer market validation
  • Price/feature balance
  • Mass market potential

Transition to Xreal Air

Product evolution:

  • Xreal Air successor (simplified)
  • Display-focused direction
  • Broader compatibility
  • Mainstream positioning

Comparison with Competitors

Feature Nreal Light Magic Leap 1 HoloLens 1
Price $599 $2,295 $3,000
Weight 88g 316g + 415g 579g
FOV 52° ~40° ~30°
Resolution/eye 1920×1080 1280×960 1268×720
Tracking 6DoF (SLAM) 6DoF (SLAM) 6DoF (SLAM)
Form Factor Glasses Goggles + pack Headset
Standalone No (phone) Yes Yes

Legacy

Consumer AR Pioneer

Market impact:

  • Proved consumer AR viable
  • Price point breakthrough
  • Form factor innovation
  • 6DoF accessibility

Xreal Foundation

Company evolution:

  • Technology base
  • Market learning
  • Brand development
  • Product iteration

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification Details
Display Dual Sony micro-OLED, 1920 × 1080 per eye
FOV 52° diagonal
Brightness 1000 nits
Virtual Screen ~201" at 6m
Tracking 6DoF SLAM (dual cameras)
Connection USB-C (DP Alt Mode)
Audio Dual directional speakers
Camera RGB camera
Weight 88g
Price $599

See Also

References

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