Xreal Air 2
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| Xreal Air 2 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Consumer AR |
| Platform | Xreal Nebula |
| Creator | Xreal |
| Developer | Xreal |
| Manufacturer | Xreal |
| Announcement Date | September 2023 (China); 24 October 2023 (United States, United Kingdom and Europe) |
| Release Date | September 2023 (China); US and UK shipments scheduled for mid-to-late November 2023 |
| Price | US$399, GBP 399, EUR 459 (launch); CNY 2,499 (China launch) |
| Website | https://www.xreal.com/ |
| Versions | Xreal Air 2, Xreal Air 2 Pro |
| Requires | Host device with USB-C DisplayPort video output, or an adapter |
| Predecessor | Xreal Air |
| System | |
| Chipset | None (display glasses) |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual Sony 0.55-inch micro-OLED |
| Peak Brightness | Up to 500 nits (perceived) |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 per eye |
| Pixel Density | 4,032 PPI |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (2D mode); 90 Hz (3D mode) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 46 degrees (diagonal) |
| Average Pixel Density | 49 PPD |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Birdbath optics |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (detachable prescription lens frame included) |
| Passthrough | Optical see-through (tinted lenses) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (with Xreal Beam, Beam Pro or the Nebula app) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Positional Tracking | No |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Two built-in open-ear stereo speakers with directional audio |
| Microphone | Two |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode) |
| Ports | USB-C |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | Powered by the host device over USB-C |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 148 x 51.4 x 161 mm (in use) |
| Weight | 72 g (without cable) |
| Color | Graphite Gray, Carmine Red |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, proximity (wear) sensor |
| Input | Brightness and volume rocker and power button on the right arm; host device controls |
The Xreal Air 2 (styled by the maker as XREAL Air 2) is a pair of consumer augmented reality display glasses made by Xreal (formerly Nreal). It is the second generation of the company's Air line and succeeded the Xreal Air of 2022.[1] The glasses have no processor or battery of their own. They work as a wearable screen for a phone, computer or handheld game console connected over a USB-C cable that carries both video and power.[2]
Xreal launched the Air 2 and the higher-priced Xreal Air 2 Pro in China in September 2023,[3] then announced them for the United States, United Kingdom and other European markets on 24 October 2023 at US$399 for the Air 2.[4] Each eye gets a 1920 x 1080 image from a 0.55-inch Sony Micro-OLED panel, with a 46-degree field of view, 49 pixels per degree and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz.[1][5] The glasses weigh 72 grams.[5]
Announcement and release
Background
The company announced its new name, XREAL, on 25 May 2023, after a dispute with Epic Games over the similarity of "Nreal" to Epic's "Unreal" trademark. Nreal said the dispute had been resolved amicably but that it had chosen a more distinctive name.[6] Dexerto described the Air 2 as the company's first major product launch under the new name.[3]
In its launch announcement Xreal called the Air 2 series its third AR glasses product, after the Nreal Light (2019) and the original Air (2022). Co-founder Peng Jin said that 50-60% of the company's customers used its glasses for one to three hours at a time, and that these long sessions led Xreal to concentrate on comfort and wearability for the Air 2.[1] Jin told CNBC that "The Air 2 was designed primarily with a focus on improving the comfort while people are using it". CNBC also reported that Xreal had sold 250,000 units of its glasses in total by October 2023 and that IDC put its market share at 2%.[7]
China launch
The Air 2 and Air 2 Pro first went on pre-order in China in early September 2023 through Tmall and JD.com. The Air 2 was priced at CNY 2,499 and the Air 2 Pro at CNY 2,999; a bundle of the Air 2 with the Xreal Beam accessory cost CNY 3,298.[8][3]
International release
On 24 October 2023 Xreal opened pre-orders on its website in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy. The company said shipments would begin in the US and UK in mid-to-late November 2023 and that other European countries would follow in December; both models were already on sale in China and Japan at that point.[4] Engadget reported the same schedule and noted that the Air 2 came in black or red.[9]
| Market | Xreal Air 2 | Xreal Air 2 Pro | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| China (September 2023) | CNY 2,499 | CNY 2,999 | [8] |
| United States (launch) | US$399 | US$449 | [4] |
| United Kingdom (launch) | GBP 399 | GBP 449 | [4] |
| Germany, France, Italy (launch) | EUR 459 | EUR 515 | [4] |
As of 27 September 2026, Xreal's US online store listed the Air 2 in grey and red at a sale price of US$199, down from a regular price of US$249.[5]
Design and hardware
Display and optics
Xreal describes the Air 2 series as the first AR glasses to use Sony Semiconductor Solutions' 0.55-inch Micro-OLED displays, which have a pixel density of 4,032 pixels per inch.[1] The panels are about 21% smaller than the 0.68-inch panels in the original Air but keep the same 1920 x 1080 resolution, so the 49 PPD figure is unchanged from the first generation.[2] Light from the displays reaches the eye through Birdbath optics.[2]
Xreal quotes a contrast ratio of 100,000:1, a response time of 0.01 milliseconds or less, and a perceived brightness of 500 nits, up from 400 nits on the original Air (a 25% increase).[1][9][10] Each display is calibrated to the Gamma 2.2 standard. The Air 2 and Air 2 Pro received four TÜV Rheinland certificates, for color accuracy, eye comfort, low blue light and flicker-free operation; the color accuracy certificate is based on an average Delta E 2000 below 3 in the sRGB gamut.[1] GSMArena's specification summary lists 8-bit color and 108% sRGB coverage.[2]
The refresh rate reaches 120 Hz in 2D mode and 90 Hz in 3D mode.[5] GSMArena noted that the original Air had launched at 60 Hz (72 Hz through the Nebula app), and that by late 2023 both the original Air and the Air 2 could run at up to 120 Hz when connected directly to a source; inside the Nebula app it found the glasses still limited to 60 Hz or an experimental 72 Hz.[2]
With no head tracking, the glasses show a fixed virtual screen that Xreal compares to 130 inches viewed from about four meters. In the MR Space mode of the Nebula app the screen can be enlarged to 201 inches at about six meters.[2] Xreal's launch materials give a maximum virtual screen size of 330 inches.[1]
Frame and fit
The smaller displays made the Air 2 about 10% thinner and 10% lighter than the original Air.[1] It weighs 72 grams without its cable, against 79 grams for the first model; the included cable weighs about 31 grams.[2] The Air 2 Pro weighs 75 grams.[5][10] Xreal lists the dimensions in use as 148 x 51.4 x 161 mm.[5]
Xreal gave the temples softer materials and fitted improved "AirFit" nose pads.[1] It also claims an improved 1:1 weight ratio along the length of the glasses; GSMArena found that they still felt front-heavy.[5][2] The hinges snap into three vertical positions to change the viewing angle and allow 20 degrees of outward flex. GSMArena lists a head-size fit range of 120 to 186 mm.[2] A detachable frame for prescription lens inserts comes in the box; the lenses themselves are bought separately.[5][10]
The Air 2 has tinted front lenses, so some light from the surroundings is blocked by default, and it ships with a snap-on light shield that makes the glasses opaque.[2] The only physical controls are on the right arm: a rocker that changes brightness (and volume with a long press) and a power button.[2] Xreal launched the glasses in Graphite Gray and Carmine Red and introduced the Kaleido Kit, a set of stickers for customizing the glasses, offered in six colors.[1][2]
Audio and sensors
The glasses have two open-ear stereo speakers, one in each arm, and two microphones.[5] Xreal calls this its second-generation sound system: each speaker has two openings, and directional audio is meant to reduce sound leakage. Xreal describes the microphones as EQ-calibrated beamforming microphones.[1][2]
There is no processor, battery or wireless connectivity hardware in the glasses.[2] The sensors are an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer and a proximity sensor above the nose pads. The proximity sensor switches the display off a few seconds after the glasses are removed and back on when they are worn again. The motion sensors provide 3DoF head tracking when the glasses are used with the Xreal Beam or the Nebula app.[2] The glasses have no 6DoF positional tracking; Xreal later added that in the separate Air 2 Ultra model.[11]
Power
The glasses draw power from the host device. In GSMArena's measurements they used about 1.5 to 1.8 W, depending on brightness, and a two-hour Netflix film on a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra used about 29% of the phone's battery.[2]
In the box
Xreal lists the following contents: the glasses, a prescription lens frame, a detachable USB Type-C cable, a light shield, three types of nose pads, a travel case and a cleaning cloth.[5] The launch announcement also mentions a new travel case and light shield, plus custom USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to HDMI cables.[1]
Connectivity and compatibility
The Air 2 connects to any source that outputs video over USB-C in DisplayPort Alt Mode.[2] GSMArena confirmed it working with laptops including an M1 MacBook Air, with the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, with the iPhone 15, and with Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Many Android phones do not output video over USB-C; TechRadar noted in October 2023 that the Pixel 8 and other Google Pixel phones did not.[2][10] For HDMI sources, Xreal sells the XREAL Adapter; the company says this works with the Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 4 Slim and PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. A Nintendo Switch does not work when plugged directly into the glasses.[2] Older iPhones and iPads with Lightning ports can connect through the XREAL Adapter together with Apple's Lightning Digital AV Adapter.[2]
The optional Xreal Beam, sold for US$119 at the Air 2's launch, can stream wirelessly from devices that cannot connect directly and also powers the glasses.[10] Xreal's store says that 3DoF spatial display modes, such as Body Anchor (which pins content in place) and Smooth Follow (in which content follows head movement gently), need the Beam or the later Beam Pro.[5]
Software
Plugged straight into a source, the Air 2 shows a screen that stays centered in the wearer's view. The Xreal Nebula app for Android adds an "AR Space" home screen with 3DoF head tracking, a web browser and a YouTube player, plus an "Air Casting" mode that mirrors the phone screen, optionally in a smaller side window. Its "XR Streaming" feature links the glasses through the phone to a Windows PC running SteamVR for some VR content, with the phone emulating a single controller.[2] Xreal also lists Nebula for Mac as a beta.[5]
GSMArena found the image in the app's tracking modes less sharp than direct display mode, with flicker and smearing, and said the Nebula app was "in a very rough state".[2]
Xreal Air 2 family
| Model | Announced | Launch price (US) | Key difference | Weight | Field of view |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xreal Air 2 | September 2023 (China); 24 October 2023 (US, UK, Europe) | US$399 | Base model | 72 g | 46 degrees |
| Xreal Air 2 Pro | September 2023 (China); 24 October 2023 (US, UK, Europe) | US$449 | Electrochromic dimming with three modes | 75 g | 46 degrees |
| Xreal Air 2 Ultra | 7 January 2024 | US$699 | 6DoF tracking with two 3D environment sensors; hand tracking | 80 g | 52 degrees |
Sources: Air 2 and Air 2 Pro prices and dates;[4][3] weights and field of view;[5] Air 2 Ultra.[11]
GSMArena described the Air 2 Pro as nearly identical to the Air 2 apart from its electrochromic dimming lenses.[2] At the press of a button they switch between three modes: Transparent (0%, no light blocked), Productivity (35%) and Immersive (100%).[1] The Air 2 Ultra, announced in Las Vegas on 7 January 2024 and shown at CES 2024, is a separate model in the Air series. It adds two 3D environment sensors for 6DoF tracking, hand tracking and 3D meshing, and has a 52-degree field of view at 42 PPD. Pre-orders opened at US$699, with shipments expected from March 2024.[11]
Reception
GSMArena said the Air 2 was more comfortable than the original Air for long sessions, crediting the longer temples, new nose pads and better weight distribution. It also noted the brighter displays and wider soundstage, though bass was weak and some sound still leaked. It called the Air 2 one of the best AR glasses available, but advised buyers looking for the best value to choose the cheaper original Air, which it said did not miss out on much compared with the new model.[2]
TechRadar's Hamish Hector, reviewing both the Air 2 and Air 2 Pro, rated design and performance 4 out of 5 each. He praised the glasses' comfort, vivid colors and contrast in dark scenes, and criticized weak bass and audio leakage. He called the US$399 price "a massive turn-off", noting that the Xreal Beam and adapter cables can add close to US$200 more, and compared the total cost unfavorably with the Meta Quest 3.[10]
See also
Gallery
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XREAL Air 2 viewed from behind. -
Red XREAL Air 2.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "XREAL Air 2 Series AR Glasses Usher in the Era of Wearable Displays for Gaming, Movies and TV, and More, Available for Pre-Orders Now". PR Newswire. XREAL. 2023-10-24. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xreal-air-2-series-ar-glasses-usher-in-the-era-of-wearable-displays-for-gaming-movies-and-tv-and-more-available-for-pre-orders-now-301965486.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 Victor (2023-11-05). "XREAL Air 2 review". GSMArena. https://www.gsmarena.com/xreal_air_2_review-news-60451.php. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Joel Loynds (2023-09-07). "Xreal Air 2 AR glasses first major launch for rebranded Nreal". Dexerto. https://www.dexerto.com/tech/xreal-air-2-ar-glasses-first-major-launch-for-rebranded-nreal-2283047/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "XREAL Air 2 Series AR Glasses Usher in the Era of Wearable Displays for Gaming, Movies and TV, and More, Available for Pre-Orders". PR Newswire. XREAL. 2023-10-24. https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xreal-air-2-series-ar-glasses-usher-in-the-era-of-wearable-displays-for-gaming-movies-and-tv-and-more-available-for-pre-orders-301965612.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 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 "XREAL Air 2". XREAL US Shop. XREAL. https://us.shop.xreal.com/products/xreal-air-2. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ Skarredghost (2023-05-25). "Nreal rebrands as XREAL and expands its ecosystem". The Ghost Howls. https://skarredghost.com/2023/05/25/nreal-rebrands-as-xreal/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ Arjun Kharpal (2023-10-24). "Chinese augmented reality firm Xreal launches next-gen glasses in challenge to Meta and Apple". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/24/xreal-air-2-launch-ar-glasses-look-to-challenge-meta-and-apple.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ram Ronquillo (2023-09-07). "XREAL Air 2 and Air 2 Pro AR Glasses Introduced in China". Gadget Pilipinas. https://www.gadgetpilipinas.net/2023/09/xreal-air-2-and-air-2-pro-launch/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Steve Dent (2023-10-24). "Xreal's $399 Air 2 augmented reality glasses are now available to pre-order". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/xreals-399-air-2-augmented-reality-glasses-are-now-available-to-pre-order-120057648.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Hamish Hector (2023-10-24). "Xreal Air 2 review: better in all but the most important way". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/xreal-air-2-pro-review. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "XREAL Jump-Starts the Future of Affordable, Full-Featured Spatial Computing, Announces XREAL Air 2 Ultra AR Glasses". PR Newswire. XREAL. 2024-01-07. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xreal-jump-starts-the-future-of-affordable-full-featured-spatial-computing-announces-xreal-air-2-ultra-ar-glasses-302027771.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.