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Nreal Light: Difference between revisions

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Improving page with detailed specifications, sections, and references
Improving page with detailed specifications, sections, and references
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{{Device Infobox
{{Device Infobox
|image =
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Mixed Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|Type = [[AR Glasses]]
|Type = [[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[Consumer AR]]
|Subtype = [[Consumer AR]]
|Platform = [[Android]] (Nebula app)
|Platform = [[Nebula]] (Android)
|Developer = [[Nreal]] (now [[Xreal]])
|Developer = [[Nreal]] (now [[Xreal]])
|Manufacturer = [[Nreal]]
|Manufacturer = [[Nreal]]
|Release Date = 2020 (Asia) / November 2021 (US)
|Release Date = August 2020
|Announcement Date = CES 2019
|Price = $599 USD
|Price = $599 USD
|Website = https://www.xreal.com/
|Website = https://www.xreal.com/
|Successor = [[Nreal Air]]
|Successor = [[Xreal Air]]
|Display = Birdbath optics
|Display = Light guide optics
|Resolution = 1920x1080 per eye
|Resolution = 1920x1080 per eye
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Field of View = 52°
|Field of View = 52° diagonal
|Equivalent Screen Size = 220" virtual display
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular (stereo)
|Tracking = 6DoF (inside-out, 2 cameras)
|Tracking = 6DoF (inside-out SLAM)
|Audio = Integrated speakers
|Cameras = 2x tracking cameras
|Weight = 106g
|Audio = Spatial speakers
|Connectivity = USB-C tethered
|Weight = 88g (glasses only)
}}
}}


The '''Nreal Light''' is a consumer [[mixed reality]] [[AR glasses]] developed by [[Nreal]] (now [[Xreal]]), first released in Asia in 2020 and launched in the US on November 18, 2021 through Verizon. At just 88g, the Nreal Light was one of the first affordable consumer AR glasses, featuring 1080p per eye resolution, 52° field of view appearing like a 220-inch display, 6DoF inside-out tracking via SLAM, and birdbath optics. Powered by a tethered Android smartphone running the Nebula app, the Light targeted consumers seeking mixed reality experiences, gaming, and personal entertainment in a lightweight sunglasses form factor.
The '''Nreal Light''' is a consumer [[augmented reality]] glasses device developed by [[Nreal]] (now [[Xreal]]), released August 2020 at $599. One of the first affordable consumer AR glasses, featuring dual 1920x1080 displays, 52° diagonal field of view, 6DoF inside-out tracking via SLAM algorithms, smartphone tethered operation, and lightweight 106g sunglasses form factor. Company rebranded to Xreal in 2023.


== History and Development ==
== History and Development ==


Nreal unveiled the Light at CES 2019 and began shipping to developers and enterprise customers in 2020. Consumer availability started in Korea, Japan, Germany, and Spain before rolling out globally. The US launch occurred on November 18, 2021 through select Verizon stores, with online availability following on December 2. The Nreal Light established the company (later rebranded to Xreal) as a pioneer in consumer AR glasses, leading to successors like the Nreal Air and Xreal Air series.<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nreal-light-ar-smart-glasses |title=Nreal Light AR Smart Glasses Review |publisher=Tom's Hardware |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
Nreal unveiled the Light at CES 2019, releasing August 2020 in Korea, Japan, Germany, and Spain, later expanding to the US via Verizon. Founded by former Magic Leap engineer Chi Xu, Nreal aimed to deliver affordable consumer AR at a fraction of competitors' prices ($599 vs $2,000-$3,000). The glasses connect to Android smartphones for processing. Nreal rebranded as Xreal in 2023, with the Light succeeded by the Air series.<ref name="nreal">{{cite web |url=https://www.xreal.com/ |title=Xreal |publisher=Xreal |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== Design and Hardware ==
== Design and Hardware ==
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=== Display ===
=== Display ===


Birdbath optics system:
Light guide optics:


* '''1920x1080 per eye''' resolution
* '''1920x1080 per eye''' resolution
* '''60 Hz refresh rate'''
* '''Full HD''' dual displays
* '''52° field of view''' (wide for MR device)
* '''60 Hz''' refresh rate
* Appears like '''220-inch display'''
* '''52° diagonal FOV'''
* '''Birdbath optics''' technology
* Mirror projection system
* Image projected onto lenses
* Semitransparent lenses
* Faithful color reproduction
* See-through AR
* 1080p quality projection


=== Tracking ===
=== Tracking ===


Inside-out spatial tracking:
SLAM-based:


* '''6DoF tracking'''
* '''6DoF tracking'''
* '''2 tracking cameras'''
* '''Inside-out tracking'''
* '''SLAM''' (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping)
* '''2 onboard cameras'''
* Inside-out positional tracking
* SLAM algorithms
* Head tracking
* Position tracking
* Environment mapping
* No external markers


=== Audio ===
=== Audio ===


* '''Spatial speakers''' (one per arm)
* '''Integrated speakers'''
* Spatial audio positioning
* Near-ear design
* Voice commands supported
* Microphone included
* Bluetooth speaker compatible
* Directional sound detection


=== Build ===
=== Design ===


Lightweight sunglasses design:
Sunglasses form factor:


* '''88g weight''' (glasses only)
* '''106g weight'''
* ~109g total system weight
* Lightweight design
* Sunglasses form factor
* Fashion-forward appearance
* '''4 interchangeable nose pads'''
* Standard sunglasses look
* Magnetic nose support
* Tinted lenses
* Adjustable fit
* Prescription lens frame included
* VR cover included (light blocking)


=== Connectivity ===
=== Connectivity ===


* '''USB-C tethered''' to smartphone
* '''USB-C tether'''
* Volume rocker on left arm
* Android smartphone required
* Phone becomes 3DoF controller
* Compatible phone list
* '''Nebula app''' required
* Nebula app
* Android smartphone powered


== Operation ==
== Compatible Devices ==


=== Requirements ===
* Select Android phones
* Compatible Android smartphone
* USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
* Nebula app installed
* Qualcomm Snapdragon 845+
* USB-C connection
* Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.
* Phone provides processing power


=== Controls ===
== Software ==
* Smartphone as 3DoF controller
* Touch controls on phone
* Volume rocker on glasses
* Voice commands


== Applications ==
=== Nebula ===


=== Entertainment ===
* AR environment launcher
* Virtual cinema experience
* Virtual screens
* 220" equivalent screen
* 3D content
* Video streaming
* AR applications
* Movie watching


=== Gaming ===
=== Use Cases ===
* AR gaming experiences
* Mixed reality games
* Spatial gaming


=== Productivity ===
* '''Virtual displays'''
* Virtual displays
* '''Video viewing'''
* Multi-window workspace
* '''AR gaming'''
* Mobile productivity
* '''Productivity'''


== Technical Specifications ==
== Technical Specifications ==
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| Refresh Rate || 60 Hz
| Refresh Rate || 60 Hz
|-
|-
| Field of View || 52°
| FOV || 52° diagonal
|-
| Virtual Screen || 220" equivalent
|-
| Tracking || 6DoF (SLAM)
|-
|-
| Cameras || 2 tracking
| Tracking || 6DoF (inside-out)
|-
|-
| Audio || Spatial speakers
| Cameras || 2
|-
|-
| Connection || USB-C tethered
| Weight || 106g
|-
|-
| Weight || 88g
| Connection || USB-C (tethered)
|-
|-
| Price || $599
| Price || $599
|}
|}
== Included Accessories ==
* Carrying case
* VR cover (light blocking)
* 4 nose pads
* Prescription lens frame
* Cleaning cloth


== Reception ==
== Reception ==


'''Praise:'''
'''Praise:'''
* 88g ultra-lightweight design
* $599 affordable for AR
* 52° FOV wide for form factor
* 106g lightweight
* 1080p per eye quality
* Sunglasses form factor
* 220" virtual display impressive
* Fashion-forward design
* Sunglasses aesthetic appealing
* 6DoF tracking
* 6DoF tracking capable
* Position awareness
* Spatial audio included
* Virtual screens useful
* Affordable consumer AR
* First real consumer AR
* Prescription lens support
* VR cover for immersion


'''Criticism:'''
'''Criticism:'''
* Requires tethered smartphone
* 52° FOV narrow
* Limited phone compatibility
* Phone compatibility limited
* 60Hz lower than competitors
* Tethered operation
* Tracking has noticeable bounce/drift
* Android only
* Phone becomes controller only
* Display brightness limited
* Bird-bath optics limitations
* Tracking occasionally unstable
* Not standalone device
* App ecosystem small
* $599 still premium for consumers<ref name="uploadvr">{{cite web |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/nreal-light-ar-glasses-review/ |title=Nreal Light AR Glasses Review |publisher=UploadVR |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
* Competition emerged<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nreal-light-ar-smart-glasses |title=Nreal Light AR Smart Glasses Review |publisher=Tom's Hardware |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Nreal Air]]
* [[Xreal Air]]
* [[Xreal Air]]
* [[Xreal Air 2]]
* [[Xreal Air 2]]
* [[Rokid Max]]
* [[Rokid Max]]
* [[Magic Leap One]]


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Mixed Reality Devices]]
[[Category:Augmented Reality Devices]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:Consumer AR]]
[[Category:Xreal]]
[[Category:Nreal]]
[[Category:Nreal]]
[[Category:Xreal]]
[[Category:2020 in technology]]
[[Category:2020 in technology]]
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