TCL NXTWEAR S
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| TCL NXTWEAR S | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Display Glasses |
| Platform | USB-C display (multi-device) |
| Creator | TCL |
| Developer | TCL |
| Manufacturer | TCL |
| Announcement Date | 1 September 2022 (IFA 2022, Berlin) |
| Release Date | Kickstarter campaign from 11 October 2022 (deliveries planned from December 2022); U.S. sale planned for Q1 2023 (per TCL) |
| Price | US$449 RRP (stated in TCL's Kickstarter announcement, October 2022); US$399 RRP (U.S., announced at CES 2023); AU$699 RRP (Australia, 2023) |
| Website | https://www.tcl.com/ |
| Requires | Host device with a USB Type-C port that outputs DisplayPort video; an adapter for other phones, including iPhones |
| Predecessor | TCL NXTWEAR Air |
| Successor | TCL NXTWEAR S+ (Nxtwear S Plus) |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual Sony Micro-OLED, up to 400 nits (TCL figure) |
| Resolution | 1920x1080 per eye (2D) / 3840x1080 (3D) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 45° (TCL product page); 47° in specifications reported by Display Daily in October 2022 |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Birdbath design with front lenses and correction lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (accelerometer and gyroscope) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Dual built-in speakers with an acoustic phase cancellation mode |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Magnetic USB Type-C cable (pogo-pin connector) |
| Ports | Magnetic pogo-pin connector on the right temple |
| Power | Powered by the host device; no internal battery |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 175 x 166 x 51 mm (unfolded); 56 x 154 x 51 mm (folded) |
| Weight | 89g |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor; wear (proximity) sensor |
| Input | Volume wheel (left temple); brightness and 2D/3D dial (right temple) |
The TCL NXTWEAR S is a pair of tethered wearable display glasses developed by TCL. TCL announced it at IFA 2022 in Berlin on 1 September 2022 as an upgrade to its earlier NXTWEAR glasses, sold it first through a Kickstarter campaign that opened on 11 October 2022, and announced its U.S. launch at CES 2023 with a recommended retail price of US$399.[1][2][3] The glasses were later also sold as the TCL RayNeo NXTWEAR S, using the name of RayNeo, the TCL-incubated company that made them.[4][5]
The glasses contain two Sony Micro-OLED panels, one per eye, viewed through a birdbath optical design. They have no battery, processor or wireless radio of their own: a cable carries power and video from a phone, tablet, laptop or game console, and the glasses show that device's screen as a large virtual display.[6][5] TCL describes the image as equal to a 130-inch high-definition screen seen from four meters away; other TCL and RayNeo material gave 140 inches at four meters or 201 inches at six meters.[7][2][8] TCL calls the product "wearable display glasses".[1] Although it was marketed as XR glasses, reviewers described it mainly as a portable personal display: it has no cameras, and in the AR mode of TCL's app the image still moves with the head and cannot be anchored in place.[6][5][9] In February 2024 TCL released the NXTWEAR S+ (Nxtwear S Plus) as its follow-up, with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 600 nits of brightness.[10]
History and development
TCL previewed its earlier wearable display glasses at CES in January 2021 and announced them as the TCL NXTWEAR G at MWC on 24 June 2021, with sales starting in Australia.[11] The NXTWEAR S followed the NXTWEAR Air, which TCL showed at CES in January 2022; XDA Developers called the S an iterative update to the Air, and TCL's Kickstarter announcement states that the NXTWEAR S "upgrades on" the NXTWEAR Air.[6][2] GSMArena wrote that the Air was shown at trade events and to some reviewers but was not widely sold, and that it found no direct link between the older NXTWEAR G and the NXTWEAR S.[5]
At IFA 2022, under a Berlin dateline of 1 September 2022, TCL announced the upgraded NXTWEAR S alongside new brand ambassadors. The release described dual 1080p Micro OLED displays with front and correction lenses, a volume wheel on the left temple, a dial on the right temple for brightness and switching between 2D and 3D modes, a magnetic pogo-pin connector at the rear of the right temple, a redesigned speaker array and a redesigned nose bridge. TCL said the glasses would be available from Q4 2022 in selected regions.[1]
On 11 October 2022 TCL opened a Kickstarter campaign for the glasses. TCL's announcement gave a recommended retail price of US$449, a 35% "Super Early Bird" discount for a limited time, and a campaign period from 11 October to 10 November 2022. Howie Li, General Manager of TCL's Innovative Business Group, said the glasses would become widely available in December.[2] Display Daily reported an early bird price of $329 on the Kickstarter page and an expected MSRP of $449, and wrote that the all-or-nothing campaign had been funded, that the glasses were already in production and that shipping was planned to begin in December 2022.[12] ChannelNews reported on 17 October 2022 that the campaign had already raised more than $400K, and noted that crowdfunding had not been mentioned when it saw the glasses at IFA 2022.[13] In November 2022 XDA Developers reported that the project was fully backed, that shipping had been promised by January, and that Indiegogo orders started at $349.[6]
Regional availability
TCL's European product page says the glasses launched at IFA 2022 and were sold in select European countries.[7] At CES 2023 in Las Vegas, TCL said the NXTWEAR S was making its debut in the U.S. market and would go on sale there in Q1 2023 at a recommended retail price of $399, with prices varying by region.[3]
In Australia the glasses were priced at AU$699.[14] Appliance Retailer reported in July 2023 that they were available at that recommended price from Amazon Australia, digidirect, JW Computers, Mobileciti and Qantas Marketplace.[15] Notebookcheck reported in May 2023 that RayNeo sold the glasses directly for $399 plus shipping and import duties, and that they were also available in Germany as the TCL NXTWEAR S.[4]
Prices moved after launch. TechRadar's July 2023 review listed the glasses at $449 / £450 in the US and UK and noted a US sale price of $399.[16] MIXED wrote in October 2023 that the glasses had originally retailed for $450 and were on sale for $350.[8] In March 2024 iMore listed them at $349 on Amazon in the US and more than £540 in the UK, where the newer S+ cost £399.[17]
Design and hardware
Display and optics
Each eye has its own Sony Micro-OLED panel, and the image is reflected through spherical mirrors in a birdbath arrangement.[6][12] In 2D mode the glasses show 1920 x 1080 per eye; in 3D mode the resolution is 3840 x 1080. The refresh rate is 60 Hz and the aspect ratio is 16:9.[7][5] TCL rates the brightness at up to 400 nits, and GSMArena counted seven brightness levels on the right-hand control wheel.[5][4]
TCL's figures for the image vary between documents:
| Specification | TCL product page (Europe) | Kickstarter announcement, October 2022 | Other reported figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field of view | 45° | Not stated | 47° (Display Daily, October 2022)[12] |
| Pixels per degree | 49 | 47 | 47 (Display Daily)[12] |
| Equivalent screen | 130 inches at 4 meters | 140 inches at 4 meters | 201 inches at 6 meters (RayNeo website, as reported by MIXED; Popular Science)[8][18] |
| Contrast ratio | >100000:1 | Not stated | Greater than 100,000:1 (Popular Science)[18] |
| Color | Not stated | DCI-P3 coverage of 90%+ | 108% sRGB (Notebookcheck; Popular Science)[4][18] |
Sources: TCL Europe product page[7] and TCL's Kickstarter announcement.[2]
The front lenses attach magnetically. With a lens fitted the background is darker, which TechRadar found improved contrast and color; without it the image overlays the surroundings.[16][6] TCL's European page lists a "classic-style" magnetic lens in the box, and Appliance Retailer reported that the Australian package included three pairs of front lenses with different light transmission levels.[7][15] For nearsighted users, TCL supplies a myopia frame that holds the buyer's own corrective lenses.[2][16]
Frame, controls and sensors
TCL lists a weight of 89g and dimensions of 175 x 166 x 51 mm unfolded and 56 x 154 x 51 mm folded.[7] Other outlets reported different weights: Display Daily gave 93 g in October 2022, Notebookcheck and Pickr gave 85 g, and GSMArena and Pickr each said the cable adds about 30 g.[12][4][14][5] XDA Developers described the frame as mostly plastic.[6]
A wheel on the left temple adjusts volume, and a dial on the right temple controls brightness and switches between 2D and 3D modes.[1] TCL said the bridge over the nose has a soft, cambered surface for longer wear,[2] and the glasses ship with several interchangeable nose clips.[6] TCL lists an accelerometer, gyroscope and pressure sensor.[7] GSMArena also noted a proximity-based wear sensor, and Digital Camera World listed a wear sensor that saves power among the glasses' strengths.[5][19] Display Daily reported a low blue light certification and a "no stroboscopic" certification from TÜV Rheinland, and ChannelNews also reported a TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification.[12][13]
Audio
Two speakers sit in the arms.[6] TCL said it redistributed the speaker array closer to the ear and adjusted high and low frequencies, and at CES 2023 it described "a unique acoustic phase cancellation mode".[2][3] Bluetooth headphones paired with the phone can be used instead of the built-in speakers.[7]
Connection and power
The glasses connect through a detachable magnetic cable with a pogo-pin connector that TCL places at the rear of the right temple.[1] The other end is a USB Type-C plug. The host device must output DisplayPort video over USB-C (DisplayPort Alternate Mode), and it supplies both power and video, since the glasses have no battery.[5][12] At the Kickstarter launch TCL said the NXTWEAR S was compatible with more than 100 Android and Windows devices with a USB-C port, and that iOS devices needed an adapter.[2]
Phones without DisplayPort output, including iPhones, need a separate adapter. TechRadar tested a Portable (Mobile) Adapter, priced at $99 in the US, which works with a mirroring app and powers the glasses from its own charge instead of the phone's battery.[16] GSMArena found it listed as the "MiraScreen Portable Adapter - SPQ01 for TCL NXTWEAR S", with a 4,500 mAh battery and a magnetic mount for MagSafe iPhones, and MIXED gave the MiraScreen adapter's price as $100.[5][8][19] In GSMArena's tests the glasses drew about 1.35 to 1.45 W on static content and 1.6 to 1.7 W during video, and two hours of Netflix used about 30% of a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's battery.[5]
The TCL Europe box list is: carry case, the glasses, classic-style magnetic lens, prescription lens fitting, magnetic pogo-pin connector and cable, and cleaning cloth.[7]
Software and features
Without extra software, the glasses mirror or extend the host device's display in 2D. TCL's support FAQ says users must install the TCL AR app to use the 3D function, that the app does not support iPhones or computers, and that devices using an adapter can only mirror their screen.[20] AR Insider reported that the app was downloaded from TCL's website. It wrote that in the app's AR mode the glasses feel like a 3DoF headset, but the image still moves with the head, so it cannot be anchored in place.[9] Pickr described the accelerometer and gyroscope as providing "some semblance of head-tracking if your device supports it".[14]
On Windows PCs, TechRadar used the TCL Nxtwear Mirror Studio app, which shows up to 10 virtual monitors.[16]
Reviewers connected the glasses directly to devices including the Steam Deck, an M1 iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy phones and USB-C laptops and MacBooks. The Nintendo Switch did not work without an adapter.[5][16][18]
Reception
In its July 2023 review, TechRadar called the NXTWEAR S "a firmly middle-of-the-road gadget". It scored design 2/5, performance 3/5 and value 2.5/5. The reviewer found the image sharp with decent contrast but slightly muted color, and said the virtual screen felt like a 24-inch monitor rather than a 130-inch one. TechRadar also reported that the nose bridge became noticeably warm after about 20 minutes, that changing the nose clips required a small screwdriver, and that the Portable Adapter's instructions were unclear.[16]
GSMArena said it would not call the glasses smart glasses, VR or AR, citing the lack of "smart" functionality, motion tracking and interaction, and cameras. It found the colors "Perhaps even a bit too saturated", said pixel response was good enough to play precise platform games, and called the companion app "a buggy mess". It also reported nose discomfort from the front-heavy design.[5] Digital Camera World's Adam Juniper praised the light weight, arm controls, magnetic cable and wear sensor, but said "1080P isn't really enough".[19]
MIXED's Alan Truly called them "nice smart glasses with some unique features at a reasonable price" and liked the 3D movie mode. He also reported pressure on the bridge of the nose after an hour or two.[8] Popular Science called the glasses a "great (if incremental) step forward" for wearable second screens, while noting the cable and adapters, the see-through image and lag in mobile games.[18] AR Insider's Charlie Fink wrote that "the Nxtwear S still feels like an early effort".[9] In iMore's March 2024 review, Stephen Warwick described them as "a fun extension of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac" but named the audio, which he called "very shallow and thin", as their biggest limitation.[17]
Successor
TechRadar reported on 15 February 2024 that TCL had launched the NXTWEAR S Plus at $399 / £399 / AU$699. Its changes were a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz instead of 60 Hz, 600 nits of brightness instead of 400 nits, and a weight of 87g instead of 89g. TCL kept the Full HD 2D and 3840 x 1080 3D resolutions and the cable-based connection.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "TCL Upgrades TCL NXTWEAR S Wearable Display Glasses and Announces New Global Brand Ambassadors at IFA 2022". TechNode Global (PR Newswire / PRNasia). TCL. 2022-09-01. https://technode.global/prnasia/tcl-upgrades-tcl-nxtwear-s-wearable-display-glasses-and-announces-new-global-brand-ambassadors-at-ifa-2022/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "New TCL NXTWEAR S Glasses Unveiled on Kickstarter at Early Bird Discount". TCL Newsroom. TCL. 2022-10-11. https://www.tcl.com/global/en/news/new-tcl-nxtwear-s-glasses-unveiled-on-kickstarter-at-early-bird-discount. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "TCL Announces a Series of New Connected Products that Improve Display Experiences at CES 2023". PR Newswire. TCL. 2023-01-04. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tcl-announces-a-series-of-new-connected-products-that-improve-display-experiences-at-ces-2023-301712941.html. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Silvio Werner (2023-05-31). "TCL RayNeo NXTWEAR S: Diese Brille mit Micro-OLED projiziert ein 130-Zoll-Display direkt vor die Augen". Notebookcheck. https://www.notebookcheck.com/TCL-RayNeo-NXTWEAR-S-Diese-Brille-mit-Micro-OLED-projiziert-ein-130-Zoll-Display-direkt-vor-die-Augen.722229.0.html. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 "TCL NXTWEAR S review". GSMArena. 2023-06-26. https://m.gsmarena.com/tcl_nxtwear_s_review-amp-58915.php. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Ben Sin (2022-11-22). "TCL NXTWEAR S hands-on: The 130-inch screen you can take anywhere". XDA Developers. https://www.xda-developers.com/tcl-nxtwear-s-hands-on/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 "TCL NXTWEAR S". TCL Europe. TCL. https://tcl-eu.com/mwc2023/products_ecosystem_nxtwear_s. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Alan Truly (2023-10-01). "TCL NXTwear S Review: The chameleon of smart glasses". MIXED. https://mixed-news.com/en/tcl-nxtwear-s-review/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Charlie Fink (2023-11-02). "What Will TCL Nxtwear S Bring to the Smart Glasses Landscape?". AR Insider. https://arinsider.co/2023/11/02/what-will-tcl-nxtwear-s-bring-to-the-smart-glasses-landscape/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Hamish Hector (2024-02-15). "TCL has launched a new pair of AR glasses with 120Hz OLED screens". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/tcl-has-launched-a-new-pair-of-ar-glasses-with-120hz-oled-screens. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ "TCL NXTWEAR G and Multi-Screen Collaboration Announced at MWC 2021". TCL Newsroom. TCL. 2021-06-24. https://www.tcl.com/nz/en/news/tcl-nxtwear-g-and-multi-screen-collaboration-announced-at-mwc-2021. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Arthur Berman (2022-10-19). "TCL is About Ready to Launch the NXTWEAR S XR Glasses". Display Daily. https://displaydaily.com/tcl-is-about-ready-to-launch-the-nxtwear-s-xr-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 David Richards (2022-10-17). "TCL Mysteriously Go To Kickstarter To Fund Next Gen NxtWear S Smart Glasses". ChannelNews. https://www.channelnews.com.au/tcl-mysteriously-go-to-kickstarter-to-fund-next-gen-nxtwear-s-smart-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Leigh Stark (2023-06-16). "TCL takes a big screen to go with Nxtwear S". Pickr. https://www.pickr.com.au/news/2023/tcl-takes-a-big-screen-to-go-with-nxtwear-s. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Emily Bencic (2023-07-27). "TCL NXTWEAR S glasses launch in Australia". Appliance Retailer. https://applianceretailer.com.au/tcl-nxtwear-s-glasses-launch-in-australia. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 Hamish Hector (2023-07-24). "TCL Nxtwear S AR glasses review: the XR future is clunky". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/tcl-rayneo-nxtwear-s-glasses-review. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Stephen Warwick (2024-03-23). "TCL NXTWEAR S review: Fun and futuristic, but not without drawbacks". iMore. https://www.imore.com/gaming/virtual-reality/tcl-nxtwear-s-review. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Eric Alt (2023-10-13). "TCL NXTWEAR S XR glasses review: A smart wearable with an emphasis on wearability". Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/gear/tcl-nxtwear-s-xr-glasses-review/. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Adam Juniper (2023-07-03). "TCL NXTWEAR S review: Can XR glasses change your workflow?". Digital Camera World. https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/tcl-nxtwear-s-review-can-xr-glasses-change-your-workflow. Retrieved 2026-10-13.
- ↑ "What can I do if the TCL NXTWEAR S glasses 3D function cannot work properly on my device?". TCL Support Australia. TCL. https://www.tcl.com/au/en/support-tv/faq/15781. Retrieved 2026-10-13.