Lenovo ThinkReality A3
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| Lenovo ThinkReality A3 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Enterprise AR |
| Platform | Windows, Android (phone-tethered variant) |
| Creator | Lenovo |
| Developer | Lenovo |
| Manufacturer | Lenovo |
| Announcement Date | January 2021 (CES) |
| Release Date | Mid-2021 |
| Price | ~$1,499 |
| Website | https://www.lenovo.com/ |
| Versions | ThinkReality A3 PC Edition, ThinkReality A3 Industrial Edition |
| Requires | Compatible PC (PC Edition) or Motorola phone (Industrial Edition) |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | None |
| System | |
| Operating System | Works with Windows / Android |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 |
| GPU | Integrated Adreno |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A (host-dependent) |
| Memory | N/A (host-dependent) |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual LCD (stereoscopic) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | 200 nits |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 per eye (1080p) |
| Pixel Density | ~40 PPD |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | ~40° diagonal |
| Horizontal FoV | ~40° |
| Vertical FoV | ~30° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~40 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~40 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Waveguide |
| Ocularity | Binocular (stereoscopic) |
| IPD Range | Fixed |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (prescription inserts available) |
| Passthrough | Native see-through (AR glasses) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (head/gaze tracking) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None |
| 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 | <50ms |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated stereo speakers |
| Microphone | Yes (3 noise-suppressing microphones) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | 8MP RGB camera |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Ports | USB-C |
| Wired Video | Yes (USB-C / DisplayPort) |
| 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 host) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Weight | 130g |
| Material | Plastic, polycarbonate |
| Headstrap | None (glasses temples) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | 6DoF tracking cameras, IMU |
| Input | Host device controls, voice commands |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
The Lenovo ThinkReality A3 is an enterprise-focused tethered AR glasses device developed by Lenovo, announced at CES in January 2021 and released in mid-2021 at a price of approximately $1,499. The ThinkReality A3 represents Lenovo's entry into the enterprise smart glasses market, offering dual 1080p stereoscopic displays powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 processor, 6DoF head tracking, and the ability to display up to five virtual monitors when connected to a compatible Windows PC or Motorola smartphone. Available in two editions—PC Edition for knowledge workers and Industrial Edition for frontline workers—the ThinkReality A3 targets use cases including multi-monitor productivity, 3D visualization, remote expert assistance, and guided workflows. At 130 grams, the glasses offer a relatively lightweight form factor for enterprise deployment while leveraging Lenovo's extensive enterprise relationships and ThinkReality software platform.
History and Development
Lenovo Enterprise Strategy
Company positioning:
- Major enterprise PC vendor
- ThinkReality platform
- XR ecosystem building
- Enterprise relationships
CES 2021 Announcement
January reveal:
- Dual stereoscopic displays
- PC and phone editions
- Enterprise focus
- Mid-2021 availability
ThinkReality Platform
Software ecosystem:
- Unified XR platform
- Device management
- Content deployment
- Enterprise tools
Market Launch
Mid-2021 release:
- Enterprise channel
- Partner integrations
- Professional deployment
- ~$1,499 pricing
Design Philosophy
Enterprise Productivity
Work focus:
- Multiple virtual displays
- 3D visualization
- Remote collaboration
- Professional tools
Two Editions
Market segmentation:
- PC Edition (knowledge workers)
- Industrial Edition (frontline)
- Different use cases
- Targeted solutions
Tethered Design
Host-powered:
- PC or phone connection
- Processing offloaded
- Lighter glasses
- Power from host
Display Technology
Dual 1080p Displays
Stereoscopic AR:
- Resolution: 1920 × 1080 per eye
- Type: Dual LCD
- Brightness: 200 nits
- Binocular display
Virtual Monitors
Productivity feature:
- Up to 5 virtual displays
- Workspace expansion
- Multi-tasking
- Privacy screens
Field of View
Information display:
- ~40° diagonal
- Adequate for virtual monitors
- Not immersive
- Productivity focused
Processing
Snapdragon XR1
In-glasses processing:
- Display driving
- Sensor processing
- Basic computation
- Host offloading
Host Processing
Tethered capability:
- PC handles applications
- Phone handles apps
- Full computing power
- Flexible architecture
Tracking System
6DoF Tracking
Head/gaze tracking:
- Positional tracking
- Rotational tracking
- Room-scale capable
- Display stability
Head Tracking
Spatial awareness:
- Position detection
- Movement tracking
- Virtual display anchoring
- Natural interaction
Camera
8MP RGB Camera
World capture:
- Documentation
- Remote assistance
- AR registration
- Photo/video
Camera Applications
Use cases:
- "See what I see"
- Content capture
- QR/barcode scanning
- Visual inspection
Audio System
Integrated Speakers
Built-in audio:
- Stereo output
- Notification sounds
- Communication
- Convenient
Noise-Suppressing Microphones
Voice capture:
- 3 microphones
- Noise reduction
- Voice commands
- Communication
Product Editions
PC Edition
Knowledge workers:
- Windows PC connection
- USB-C / DisplayPort
- Multi-monitor workspace
- Office productivity
Industrial Edition
Frontline workers:
- Motorola phone connection
- Mobile deployment
- Remote assistance
- Guided workflows
Connectivity
USB-C Connection
Primary interface:
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
- DisplayPort 1.4
- Power from host
- Single cable
Device Compatibility
Supported hosts:
- Windows PCs (PC Edition)
- Motorola phones (Industrial Edition)
- Specific models supported
- Certification required
Physical Design
Lightweight
Comfortable wear:
- 130g
- Glasses form factor
- Extended use capable
- Enterprise practical
Glasses Style
Professional appearance:
- Normal glasses look
- Workplace appropriate
- Social acceptability
- Professional design
Temple Arms
Mounting:
- Standard temples
- Adjustable fit
- Comfortable wear
- No head strap
Software Platform
ThinkReality Platform
Enterprise management:
- Device management
- Content deployment
- Analytics
- Enterprise tools
Windows Integration
PC Edition software:
- Virtual monitors
- Windows applications
- Workspace extension
- Productivity tools
Android Apps
Industrial Edition:
- Motorola Ready For
- AR applications
- Enterprise apps
- Frontline tools
Use Cases
Multi-Monitor Workspace
Productivity enhancement:
- Up to 5 virtual displays
- Workspace anywhere
- Privacy screens
- Mobile office
3D Visualization
Design and engineering:
- 3D model viewing
- CAD visualization
- Design review
- Engineering tools
Remote Expert
Collaboration:
- "See what I see"
- Expert guidance
- Video calling
- Real-time support
Guided Workflows
Industrial use:
- Step-by-step instructions
- Procedure guidance
- Training support
- Quality assurance
Enterprise Features
Device Management
IT administration:
- Remote configuration
- Fleet management
- Policy control
- Enterprise deployment
HDCP Support
Content protection:
- Digital rights management
- Protected content
- Enterprise security
- Compliance
Comparison with Competitors
| Feature | Lenovo ThinkReality A3 | Nreal Light | Vuzix M400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,499 | $599 | ~$1,799 |
| Display | Dual 1080p | Dual 1080p | 640×360 mono |
| FOV | ~40° | 52° | 16.8° |
| Tracking | 6DoF | 6DoF | 3DoF |
| Weight | 130g | 88g | <85g |
| Tethered | Yes (PC/phone) | Yes (phone) | Standalone |
| Target | Enterprise | Consumer | Enterprise |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Dual 1080p stereoscopic displays
- 6DoF tracking
- Up to 5 virtual monitors
- Lightweight (130g)
- Lenovo enterprise support
- ThinkReality platform
Limitations
- Tethered (no standalone)
- Limited FOV (~40°)
- Enterprise price (~$1,499)
- Specific device compatibility
- No wireless operation
- PC/phone dependent
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual LCD, 1920 × 1080 per eye |
| FOV | ~40° diagonal |
| Brightness | 200 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR1 |
| Tracking | 6DoF (head/gaze) |
| Camera | 8MP RGB |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, 3 mics |
| Connection | USB-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Weight | 130g |
| Price | ~$1,499 |