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{{Device Infobox
{{Device Infobox
|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]] (XREAL)
|Developer = [[XREAL]] (formerly Nreal)
|Manufacturer = [[XREAL]]
|Release Date = 2022
|Release Date = 2022
|Price = $400
|Price = $379 USD
|Display = 2 x Micro OLED binocular
|Website = https://www.xreal.com/
|Resolution = 1920x1080 per-eye
|Display = 2× Micro-OLED
|Resolution = 1920×1080 per eye (Full HD)
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Field of View = 46° diagonal
|Field of View = 46° diagonal
|Horizontal FoV =  
|Equivalent Screen Size = 130" (virtual)
|Vertical FoV =  
|Brightness = High
|Diagonal FoV = 46°
|PPD = 49 PPD
|IPD Range =  
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Optics = Birdbath
|Tracking = 3DoF
|Eye Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = No
|Audio = Built-in open-ear speakers
|Connectivity = USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
|Battery = None (powered by connected device)
|Battery Life = Up to 5 hours (device dependent)
|Weight = 79g
|Color = Black
}}
}}


'''Nreal Air''' is an [[augmented reality]] [[head-mounted display]] released in 2022.
The '''Nreal Air''' (now marketed as '''XREAL Air''') is a consumer [[augmented reality]] [[smart glasses]] developed by [[XREAL]] (formerly known as Nreal), released in 2022. The glasses use birdbath optics with dual Micro-OLED displays to project a virtual 130-inch screen, primarily designed for media consumption and gaming. At just 79 grams, the Nreal Air helped establish the lightweight wearable display category and was succeeded by the [[Xreal Air 2]] series.


== Specifications ==
Note: XREAL rebranded from "Nreal" in 2023, and the product is now sold under the XREAL brand name.
* '''Display:''' 2 x Micro OLED binocular
* '''Resolution:''' 1920x1080 per-eye
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 60 Hz
* '''Field of View:''' 46° diagonal


* '''Price:''' $400
== History and Development ==
 
Nreal (now XREAL) was founded in 2017 and released the Nreal Air in 2022 as a consumer-focused AR glasses product. The glasses were designed to provide a large virtual screen experience in a lightweight, sunglasses-like form factor. The company rebranded to XREAL in 2023, and the product line expanded to include the [[Xreal Air 2]] and [[Xreal Air 2 Pro]].<ref name="vrcompare">{{cite web |url=https://vr-compare.com/headset/nrealair |title=Nreal Air: Full Specification |publisher=VRcompare |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
== Design and Hardware ==
 
=== Display and Optics ===
 
The Nreal Air uses birdbath optics to reflect images from embedded Micro-OLED displays:
 
* Dual 1920×1080 Micro-OLED displays (one per eye)
* 46° diagonal field of view
* 49 pixels per degree (PPD)—significantly higher than [[Oculus Quest 2]]'s 20.5 PPD
* 60 Hz refresh rate
* Birdbath optical system with mirror reflection
* Virtual 130-inch equivalent screen size<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nreal-air |title=Nreal Air Review: Gaming and Media Greatness Marred by Dongle Madness |publisher=Tom's Hardware |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
The birdbath optics provide a larger field of view with reduced distortion compared to some alternative AR display technologies.
 
=== Build and Comfort ===
 
At 79 grams, the Nreal Air is exceptionally lightweight, designed to look similar to oversized Ray-Ban sunglasses. The lightweight design avoids the front-heavy feeling of traditional VR headsets, making extended viewing sessions more comfortable.<ref name="techradar">{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/nreal-air-ar-glasses |title=Xreal Air and Xreal Beam review: impressive AR tech but still not perfect |publisher=TechRadar |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
=== Light Blocking ===
 
The glasses include a lens cover accessory that blocks out ambient light for more immersive viewing in bright environments.
 
=== Audio ===
 
Built-in open-ear speakers provide audio output without covering the ears, allowing awareness of surroundings.
 
== Connectivity ==
 
The Nreal Air connects via USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode:
 
* '''Direct USB-C:''' Android smartphones, computers, Steam Deck
* '''With Nreal Adapter ($59):''' Game consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch), iOS devices, HDMI sources
 
The adapter requirement for non-USB-C devices was a common criticism in reviews.<ref name="techadvisor">{{cite web |url=https://www.techadvisor.com/article/723317/nreal-air-review.html |title=Nreal Air AR Glasses Review: A Look at the Future |publisher=Tech Advisor |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
== Reception ==
 
'''Praise:'''
* "Among the smartest glasses available in 2022"
* Impressively lightweight at 79 grams
* High pixel density (49 PPD) for crisp text
* Good visual quality with OLED displays
* Large 130-inch virtual screen
* Sunglasses-like design
* Works with Steam Deck for portable gaming
 
'''Criticism:'''
* Firmware updates could break compatibility
* 60 Hz refresh rate lower than competitors
* Requires adapter for many devices
* No spatial tracking (3DoF only)
* "More of a big monitor for your face"
* Image flicker reported by some users
* Limited adjustability
* "Minimally viable product" criticism<ref name="dexerto">{{cite web |url=https://www.dexerto.com/tech/nreal-air-glasses-review-2149149/ |title=Nreal Air AR glasses review: A killer concept that's just too early |publisher=Dexerto |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
<ref name="gamingnexus">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/7728/Nreal-Airs |title=Nreal Airs Review |publisher=Gaming Nexus |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
== Successors ==
 
The Nreal Air was succeeded by:
* '''[[Xreal Air 2]]:''' Improved display, lighter weight
* '''[[Xreal Air 2 Pro]]:''' Added electrochromic dimming
* '''[[Xreal One]]:''' Added X1 spatial computing chip


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Augmented Reality]]
* [[Xreal Air 2]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[Xreal Air 2 Pro]]
* [[AR Glasses]]
* [[Xreal One]]
* [[Rokid Air]]
* [[Viture 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:2022 in technology]]
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