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|image =
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Type = [[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[Smart Glasses]]
|Platform = [[Nebula]], [[NRSDK]]
|Developer = [[XREAL]] (formerly Nreal)
|Manufacturer = [[XREAL]]
|Announcement Date = CES 2019
|Release Date = 2020
|Release Date = 2020
|Price = $499
|Price = $500 USD (glasses), $1,200 USD (dev kit)
|Display = 2 x OLED binocular
|Website = https://www.xreal.com/
|Resolution = 1920x1080 per-eye
|Successor = [[Nreal Air]]
|Display = 2× Sony OLED
|Resolution = 1920×1080 per eye
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Field of View = 52° diagonal
|Field of View = 52° diagonal
|Horizontal FoV =
|Equivalent Screen Size = 201" at 6 meters
|Vertical FoV =
|Diagonal FoV = 52°
|IPD Range =  
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Optics = Birdbath
|Tracking = 6DoF (SLAM, dual cameras)
|Plane Detection = Yes
|Image Tracking = Yes
|Eye Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = No
|Camera = RGB camera (right lens)
|Connectivity = USB-C (tethered to phone or compute pack)
|Weight = ~88g
}}
}}


'''Nreal Light''' is an [[augmented reality]] [[head-mounted display]] released in 2020.
The '''Nreal Light''' is a phone-powered [[augmented reality]] [[smart glasses]] developed by [[XREAL]] (formerly Nreal), first revealed at CES 2019 and released in 2020. The glasses attracted significant attention as one of the first consumer-oriented AR glasses with 6DoF tracking, weighing only 88 grams in a sunglasses-like form factor. Featuring dual Sony OLED displays at 1920×1080 per eye, birdbath optics, and SLAM-based tracking with plane detection, the Nreal Light provided spatial AR experiences when tethered to compatible Android phones or Nreal's compute pack. The Nebula operating system, announced at CES 2020, enabled Android app integration in 3D space.


== 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 (now XREAL) revealed the Nreal Light at CES 2019, garnering significant press attention for achieving light, fashionable AR glasses at an accessible price point. The company was founded in China with the goal of making AR glasses as ubiquitous as sunglasses. Developer kits opened for preorder at $1,200 in November 2019, with consumer glasses expected at $500.<ref name="uploadvr">{{cite web |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/nreal-lite-nebula-ces-2020/ |title=CES 2020: Nreal's AR Glasses Promise To Pin Android Apps In Your Room |publisher=UploadVR |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
At CES 2020, Nreal unveiled Nebula, their Android-based operating system enabling 3D interfaces for Android apps. The company later released the consumer-focused [[Nreal Air]] in 2022, which simplified the platform to a display-only experience.<ref name="skarredghost">{{cite web |url=https://skarredghost.com/2020/06/11/nreal-light-devkit-review/ |title=Nreal Light devkit review: an interesting entry point for AR |publisher=The Ghost Howls |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
== Design and Hardware ==
 
=== Display ===
 
Premium Sony OLED displays:
 
* Dual Sony OLED panels
* 1920×1080 resolution per eye
* 60 Hz refresh rate
* 52° diagonal field of view
* 201-inch virtual screen at 6 meters
* High contrast from OLED technology
 
=== Optics ===
 
* Birdbath optical system
* Relays image from hidden display at top of frame
* Reflects image into user's eyes
* Compact design enables sunglasses form factor
 
=== Tracking ===
 
Full 6DoF spatial tracking:
 
* '''SLAM''' (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping)
* 6 Degrees of Freedom head tracking
* Dual forward-facing tracking cameras
* '''Plane detection:''' Detects horizontal/vertical surfaces
* '''Image tracking:''' Marker-based AR
* Virtual objects fixed in real-world positions
* Walk around virtual content
 
=== Camera ===
 
* RGB camera on right lens
* Captures outside world images
* Enables mixed reality photography
 
=== Build ===
 
* ~88 grams weight
* Comfortable for extended wear
* Sunglasses-like design
* Fashionable form factor
* Half viewing area contains hardware
 
== Connectivity ==
 
Tethered operation:
 
* USB-C connection required
* '''Android phones:''' Compatible devices
* '''Compute pack:''' Nreal's proprietary unit (dev kit)
* Cannot operate standalone
 
== Software ==
 
=== Nebula OS ===
 
Android-based operating system (CES 2020):
 
* 3D interface for Android apps
* 2D Android apps in 3D space
* 3D content in physical surroundings
* Spatial computing experience
 
=== NRSDK ===
 
Developer tools:
 
* Unity support
* Mixed reality app development
* SLAM and tracking APIs
* Plane detection integration
 
== Developer Kit ==
 
The Nreal Light Developer Kit included:
 
* Nreal Light glasses
* Proprietary compute pack
* Development tools access
* '''Price:''' $1,200
 
== Controller Support ==
 
* Basic phone-based interaction
* FinchShift controllers announced (6DoF)
* Controller support for full spatial input
 
== Reception ==
 
'''Praise:'''
* "Close, But Not Quite There Yet" - Tom's Hardware
* Revolutionary lightweight design (88g)
* 6DoF tracking in sunglasses form factor
* Sony OLED displays
* Affordable compared to enterprise AR
* Plane detection for spatial AR
* Nebula OS Android integration
* Interesting entry point for AR development
 
'''Criticism:'''
* Requires tethered connection
* Limited phone compatibility
* 60 Hz only (competitors offer higher)
* 52° FOV relatively narrow
* Developer kit expensive ($1,200)
* Compute pack required for full features
* Battery drain on connected phone
* Limited consumer software ecosystem<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nreal-light-ar-smart-glasses |title=Nreal Light AR Smart Glasses Review: Close, But Not Quite There Yet |publisher=Tom's Hardware |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
<ref name="roadtovr">{{cite web |url=https://www.roadtovr.com/hands-on-nreal-light-ar-glasses-cas-and-chary/ |title=Hands-on with Nreal Light, One of the First Consumer-available AR Glasses |publisher=Road to VR |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Augmented Reality]]
* [[Nreal Air]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[Xreal Air 2]]
* [[AR Glasses]]
* [[Xreal One]]
* [[Nebula]]
* [[Magic Leap One]]
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Augmented Reality Devices]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Smart Glasses]]
[[Category:XREAL]]
[[Category:2020 in technology]]

Revision as of 15:30, 7 January 2026

Nreal Light
Basic Info
VR/AR Augmented Reality
Type AR Glasses
Subtype Smart Glasses
Platform Nebula, NRSDK
Developer XREAL (formerly Nreal)
Manufacturer XREAL
Announcement Date CES 2019
Release Date 2020
Price $500 USD (glasses), $1,200 USD (dev kit)
Website https://www.xreal.com/
Successor Nreal Air
System
Storage
Display
Display 2× Sony OLED
Resolution 1920×1080 per eye
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Image
Field of View 52° diagonal
Optics
Optics Birdbath
Ocularity Binocular
Tracking
Tracking 6DoF (SLAM, dual cameras)
Eye Tracking No
Hand Tracking No
Audio
Camera RGB camera (right lens)
Connectivity
Connectivity USB-C (tethered to phone or compute pack)
Device
Weight ~88g

Property "Developer" (as page type) with input value "XREAL]] (formerly Nreal)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.


The Nreal Light is a phone-powered augmented reality smart glasses developed by XREAL (formerly Nreal), first revealed at CES 2019 and released in 2020. The glasses attracted significant attention as one of the first consumer-oriented AR glasses with 6DoF tracking, weighing only 88 grams in a sunglasses-like form factor. Featuring dual Sony OLED displays at 1920×1080 per eye, birdbath optics, and SLAM-based tracking with plane detection, the Nreal Light provided spatial AR experiences when tethered to compatible Android phones or Nreal's compute pack. The Nebula operating system, announced at CES 2020, enabled Android app integration in 3D space.

History and Development

Nreal (now XREAL) revealed the Nreal Light at CES 2019, garnering significant press attention for achieving light, fashionable AR glasses at an accessible price point. The company was founded in China with the goal of making AR glasses as ubiquitous as sunglasses. Developer kits opened for preorder at $1,200 in November 2019, with consumer glasses expected at $500.[1]

At CES 2020, Nreal unveiled Nebula, their Android-based operating system enabling 3D interfaces for Android apps. The company later released the consumer-focused Nreal Air in 2022, which simplified the platform to a display-only experience.[2]

Design and Hardware

Display

Premium Sony OLED displays:

  • Dual Sony OLED panels
  • 1920×1080 resolution per eye
  • 60 Hz refresh rate
  • 52° diagonal field of view
  • 201-inch virtual screen at 6 meters
  • High contrast from OLED technology

Optics

  • Birdbath optical system
  • Relays image from hidden display at top of frame
  • Reflects image into user's eyes
  • Compact design enables sunglasses form factor

Tracking

Full 6DoF spatial tracking:

  • SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping)
  • 6 Degrees of Freedom head tracking
  • Dual forward-facing tracking cameras
  • Plane detection: Detects horizontal/vertical surfaces
  • Image tracking: Marker-based AR
  • Virtual objects fixed in real-world positions
  • Walk around virtual content

Camera

  • RGB camera on right lens
  • Captures outside world images
  • Enables mixed reality photography

Build

  • ~88 grams weight
  • Comfortable for extended wear
  • Sunglasses-like design
  • Fashionable form factor
  • Half viewing area contains hardware

Connectivity

Tethered operation:

  • USB-C connection required
  • Android phones: Compatible devices
  • Compute pack: Nreal's proprietary unit (dev kit)
  • Cannot operate standalone

Software

Nebula OS

Android-based operating system (CES 2020):

  • 3D interface for Android apps
  • 2D Android apps in 3D space
  • 3D content in physical surroundings
  • Spatial computing experience

NRSDK

Developer tools:

  • Unity support
  • Mixed reality app development
  • SLAM and tracking APIs
  • Plane detection integration

Developer Kit

The Nreal Light Developer Kit included:

  • Nreal Light glasses
  • Proprietary compute pack
  • Development tools access
  • Price: $1,200

Controller Support

  • Basic phone-based interaction
  • FinchShift controllers announced (6DoF)
  • Controller support for full spatial input

Reception

Praise:

  • "Close, But Not Quite There Yet" - Tom's Hardware
  • Revolutionary lightweight design (88g)
  • 6DoF tracking in sunglasses form factor
  • Sony OLED displays
  • Affordable compared to enterprise AR
  • Plane detection for spatial AR
  • Nebula OS Android integration
  • Interesting entry point for AR development

Criticism:

  • Requires tethered connection
  • Limited phone compatibility
  • 60 Hz only (competitors offer higher)
  • 52° FOV relatively narrow
  • Developer kit expensive ($1,200)
  • Compute pack required for full features
  • Battery drain on connected phone
  • Limited consumer software ecosystem[3]

[4]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "CES 2020: Nreal's AR Glasses Promise To Pin Android Apps In Your Room". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/nreal-lite-nebula-ces-2020/.
  2. ↑ "Nreal Light devkit review: an interesting entry point for AR". The Ghost Howls. https://skarredghost.com/2020/06/11/nreal-light-devkit-review/.
  3. ↑ "Nreal Light AR Smart Glasses Review: Close, But Not Quite There Yet". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nreal-light-ar-smart-glasses.
  4. ↑ "Hands-on with Nreal Light, One of the First Consumer-available AR Glasses". Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/hands-on-nreal-light-ar-glasses-cas-and-chary/.
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