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Xreal Aura

From VR & AR Wiki
Xreal Aura[1][2][3]
Basic Info
VR/AR Augmented Reality
Type AR Glasses
Subtype Tethered AR, Smart Glasses
Platform Android XR
Developer Xreal
Manufacturer Xreal
Announcement Date 20 May 2025 (as Project Aura); 16 June 2026 (as XREAL AURA)
Release Date Expected fall 2026 (not shipped as of September 2026)
Price Base model not to exceed US$1,500 before tax (final price unannounced)
Website https://www.xreal.com/aura
Versions Compute puck with 12 GB / 256 GB or 16 GB / 512 GB
Requires Included wired compute puck
System
Operating System Android XR
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon Reality Elite (puck); Xreal X1S Spatial Coprocessor (glasses)
Storage
Storage 256 GB or 512 GB (puck)
Memory 12 GB or 16 GB (puck)
Display
Display Sony Micro-OLED, one per eye
Resolution 1920 x 1200 per eye
Refresh Rate Up to 120 Hz
Image
Field of View 70 degrees (diagonal)
Optics
Optics X Prism (prism-based optical see-through)
Ocularity Binocular
IPD Range M size 60-66 mm; L size 66-72 mm
Passthrough Optical see-through; electrochromic dimming with 5 transparency levels
Tracking
Tracking 6DoF spatial anchoring with two world-facing tracking cameras
Hand Tracking Yes
Audio
Audio Speakers with Bose EQ tuning; spatial audio through Android XR
Microphone 4-microphone array
Camera Two world-facing tracking cameras; one high-resolution camera with privacy LED
Connectivity
Ports Puck: USB-C glasses port (USB 3.1); USB-C charging and DP-in port
Wired Video DisplayPort Alt Mode input on the puck
WiFi Wi-Fi 6/6E
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.3
Power 65 W maximum charging input (5-20 V, 3.25 A)
Battery Capacity 4,455 mAh (34.84 Wh), in the puck
Device
Weight Under 95 g (glasses only, manufacturer figure)
Input Hands, voice, puck touchpad; Bluetooth keyboards, mice and game controllers


Xreal Aura (stylized XREAL AURA) is a pair of tethered optical see-through augmented reality glasses developed by Xreal that run Google's Android XR platform. The glasses connect by cable to a pocket-sized compute puck that holds the main processor and battery. Google, Xreal and Qualcomm first showed the device as Project Aura at Google I/O in May 2025, and Xreal announced the final name, specifications and a reservation program at Augmented World Expo on 16 June 2026.[4][2]

The glasses have two Sony Micro-OLED displays with 1920 x 1200 pixels per eye, a 70 degree field of view and an Xreal X1S coprocessor, while the puck runs Android XR on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite platform. Gemini is built into the system as the assistant.[1] Google describes it as Xreal's first wired XR glasses and as the first Android XR device in that category.[5][6]

As of 20 September 2026 the product has not shipped. Xreal states that the base model will cost no more than US$1,500 before tax and that it will launch in fall 2026 in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and South Korea, with European markets to follow. The final price, configurations and shipping date had not been announced.[1][2]

Reviewed 20 September 2026. Announcement dates, specifications, pricing ceiling, reservation tiers, launch regions, shipping status as of 20 September 2026 and every cited source. About review dates.

Announcement and release

Project Aura (2025)

Xreal announced Project Aura on 20 May 2025 during Google I/O, describing it as the second official device for Android XR after Samsung's headset (later released as the Samsung Galaxy XR) and the first optical see-through device on the platform. The announcement named Google and Qualcomm as partners and promised more details at Augmented World Expo in June 2025.[4]

At Augmented World Expo in June 2025, Xreal confirmed that the glasses only work wired to a pocket-sized puck that contains the Android XR hardware; a smartphone cannot substitute for the puck. The company also confirmed a 70 degree field of view, a new flat prism lens, and an X1S chip derived from the X1 chip in the Xreal One and Xreal One Pro.[7]

Google and Xreal showed the first footage of Project Aura in use at The Android Show: XR Edition on 8 December 2025. Google's Shahram Izadi wrote that the wired glasses have a 70 degree field of view, the largest optical see-through display Xreal had built, and that launch details would follow in 2026.[5] Xreal's own post said the puck also works as a trackpad and that developer kits would ship in 2026.[8] UploadVR reported that most Galaxy XR apps would run on the puck, but that features relying on face tracking would not, because the glasses have no face-tracking cameras.[9] Google's Android XR SDK Developer Preview 3, released the same day, added field-of-view detection APIs for adaptive interfaces on headsets and wired XR glasses.[10]

Google I/O 2026 and developer program

At Google I/O on 19 May 2026, Google and Xreal demonstrated Project Aura running an immersive version of Google Maps, video on a large virtual screen with smaller side screens, 180 and 360 degree YouTube video, a WebXR painting app, and DisplayPort input from a laptop with Gemini support and what Xreal calls autospatialization, its conversion of flat content into 3D. They also announced the Android XR Developer Catalyst Program, which supplies Project Aura developer kits, the Android XR SDK and new APIs to selected developers who apply at g.co/dev/catalyst.[11][12] Xreal confirmed that the glasses would go on sale before the end of 2026.[13] The first developer cohort was limited in size, with kits shipping in summer 2026.[14] Xreal's product page later stated that Catalyst applications for XREAL AURA closed on 30 June 2026 and that approved developers receive a free device.[1]

XREAL AURA launch announcement (June 2026)

On 16 June 2026, at Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California, Xreal renamed the product XREAL AURA, confirmed a fall 2026 launch and opened reservations. The press release named Best Buy as the first in-store retail partner in the United States and listed the first launch wave as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and South Korea, with 27 European markets (the European Union member states) to follow. Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Reality Elite platform the same day and Xreal confirmed it as the puck's processor.[2][3] Google's own AWE post announced that reservations were open and offered demonstrations of the Galaxy XR and XREAL AURA at the Qualcomm booth.[6]

Xreal did not announce a price. Its reservation page states that the final retail price of the base model will not exceed US$1,500, excluding applicable taxes, and that final pricing, configurations and shipping details will be announced closer to launch. The reservation is not a pre-order and is fully refundable before final purchase confirmation.[1][15]

Reservation tier Deposit (US$) Terms Status (20 September 2026)
Founder Priority Pass $299 Limited to 2,000 worldwide; guaranteed launch-day delivery in supported launch regions; laser-engraved, individually numbered special-edition hardware; deposit applied to the final purchase Sold out; Xreal states all 2,000 were reserved in 36 hours
Launch Credit $99 $199 credit toward the purchase at launch; earlier reservations get earlier access Sold out
Priority Deposit $199 Applied toward the purchase at launch; fully refundable; limited time Open

The reservation tiers and their status are listed on Xreal's product page and store.[1][16] Engadget reported that the $99 Launch Credit was offered for a two-week window.[17] Xreal's store terms for the Priority Deposit say the reservation period opened on 16 June, that the credit is valid for 30 days after launch in the customer's region, and that earlier reservations ship first.[18]

Later showings and current status

Xreal showed XREAL AURA at MWC Shanghai in late June 2026, again stating a fall 2026 launch and the US$1,500 ceiling.[19] At the Venice International Film Festival in September 2026, Nevatars, a mixed reality piece directed by Andy Serkis and developed with Google's immersive production unit 100 Zeroes, was one of two Aura-supported projects shown in the Venice Immersive section; Variety reported that it had been selected in April 2026 as one of the first titles to launch on the glasses.[20] Xreal also demonstrated the glasses at IFA in Berlin in September 2026, where Android Authority was told the launch would come before the end of 2026 and that the price remained under US$1,500.[21]

Design and hardware

XREAL AURA is a split-compute system. The glasses carry the displays, optics, cameras, speakers and the X1S coprocessor, which Xreal says handles low-latency spatial display, sensor processing and stable tracking. The main processor, memory, storage and battery sit in the separate puck, which Xreal says balances performance, heat, battery life and wearability.[1] Xreal gives the weight of the glasses as less than 95 g.[2] The frame styling resembles the Xreal One Pro, according to Engadget, but the glasses add three cameras: two on the sides for tracking and hand tracking and one in the center for photos and video.[22][23] Xreal's specification sheet lists two world-facing tracking cameras for 6DoF spatial anchoring and hand tracking, plus a high-resolution camera with a privacy LED indicator.[1]

The glasses come in two frame sizes: M for interpupillary distances of 60-66 mm and L for 66-72 mm. Prescription lens inserts are supported. Audio comes from built-in speakers with Bose EQ tuning, spatial audio handled by Android XR, and a four-microphone array.[1]

The puck runs Android XR on the Snapdragon Reality Elite platform. Qualcomm's stated figures for the platform, relative to the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, are up to 60 percent higher GPU performance, 30 percent higher CPU performance, 160 percent higher NPU performance (48 TOPS), 20 percent longer battery life at the same workload and up to 12 degrees Celsius cooler operation under load. XREAL AURA and a future Play For Dream headset were the first announced devices to use it.[24][15] The puck has a fingerprint button for power and system lock, a touchpad, and two USB-C ports: one connects the glasses (USB 3.1, 5 V at 2 A maximum) and the other handles charging and DisplayPort input. Charging accepts 5-20 V at up to 3.25 A (65 W maximum) with QC 3.0 and PD 3.0 support. The puck also supports Bluetooth keyboards, mice and game controllers.[1]

Component Specification (Xreal)
Glasses chip X1S Spatial Coprocessor
Display Sony Micro-OLED, 1920 x 1200 pixels per eye, refresh rates up to 120 Hz
Optics X Prism optics, 70 degree field of view
Cameras 2 world-facing tracking cameras; 1 high-resolution camera with privacy LED
Dimming Electrochromic, auto or manual, 5 transparency levels
Audio Bose EQ tuning; spatial audio; 4-microphone array
IPD fit M: 60-66 mm; L: 66-72 mm
Puck chip Snapdragon Reality Elite
Puck memory and storage 12 GB / 256 GB or 16 GB / 512 GB
Puck battery 4,455 mAh (34.84 Wh)
Puck ports USB-C glasses port (USB 3.1); USB-C charging / DP-in (65 W max, DP Alt Mode)
Wireless Wi-Fi 6/6E; Bluetooth 5.3
Input Hands, voice, puck touchpad; Bluetooth keyboards, mice and game controllers

These specifications come from Xreal's product page.[1] Xreal has not published a battery-life rating; at IFA, Android Authority was told to expect around four to five hours for tasks such as streaming.[21]

Display and optics

Each eye has a Sony Micro-OLED panel with 1920 x 1200 pixels driven at up to 120 Hz, behind Xreal's X Prism optics. The 70 degree field of view is the widest Xreal has offered; the Xreal One Pro has a 57 degree field of view.[1][23] The figure is a diagonal measurement.[9]

The optics are a prism, or birdbath-type, see-through design rather than a waveguide. UploadVR noted that this approach is bulkier than the waveguides in Meta's and Apple's glasses prototypes, sits farther from the eyes and blocks most ambient light.[9] Electrochromic dimming in the lenses adjusts transparency across five levels, automatically or manually, so the same glasses can be used for opaque, cinema-style viewing or with the surroundings visible.[1] Because the display is optical see-through, the real world is seen directly through the lenses rather than through a camera feed.[25]

Software and features

The puck runs Android XR, so the glasses can install Android apps from Google Play as well as apps built for Android XR. Xreal states that Google Maps, YouTube, Gemini, Chrome and Google Photos are available at launch, along with more than 100 apps made for XR.[1] Gemini on Android XR is the built-in assistant; with user permission it can use the cameras and microphones to answer questions about what the wearer sees, open apps and navigate the interface by voice.[1] Input is by hands, voice and the puck's touchpad. Xreal's specification sheet lists hand tracking and 6DoF tracking but no eye tracking; Tech Times reported that the hardware has none and that pointing relies on hand gestures.[1][19]

The DisplayPort input on the puck lets the glasses act as an external display for a PC, laptop or handheld console. At Google I/O 2026 the laptop mode was shown with Gemini integration and autospatialization.[1][11] GSMArena reported that the system can keep up to five floating app windows open at once.[26]

Xreal's June 2026 announcement listed XR titles in development for the device, including Project Hail Mary: Journey Among the Stars, Fallout: Factions, The Nutcracker: A Spatial Awakening, Asteroid, Demeo, Fox Sports XR, Cubism, Oh My Galaxy!, Chess Club, CHZZK, Robo Repair, Tiny Motors Arcade, Table Towers, Simply Piano XR, ShapesXR, Frontline.io and Plynk Spatial.[2][25]

Reception

Coverage so far is based on demonstrations of pre-release hardware; no full reviews of retail units have been published.

Trying Project Aura at Google I/O 2026, Engadget's Karissa Bell found the 70 degree display sharp and bright even in outdoor sunlight, wide enough for video and web browsing, and reported that the glasses detected her hands reliably for pinch gestures. She noted that the puck grew warm during a roughly 20 minute demo held outdoors in heat of almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit.[22] At the June 2026 announcement she described the device as a middle ground between a bulky headset and true glasses.[17]

Antony Vitillo, writing on his blog The Ghost Howls after trying the glasses at AWE 2026, found the 1920 x 1200 displays sharp enough to edit text in Google Docs, praised the electrochromic dimming, and rated the hand tracking stable but laggy for fast interaction. His main criticism was the vertical field of view, which he found limiting; he also noticed slight warping of the image during sideways head movement and some pressure on the nose and ears after 30 minutes.[27]

Android Authority's Adamya Sharma, after an IFA 2026 demo, called the immersive Google Maps demo the strongest use case and did not find the tether distracting, but noted that the standalone YouTube app crashed during the demo (the site worked through Chrome) and that app support for launch remained unclear.[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 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 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 "XREAL AURA - It Feels Like Tomorrow". Xreal. https://www.xreal.com/aura. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "A New Era of XR Begins: XREAL Launches XREAL AURA, Powered by Android XR, This Fall". PR Newswire. Xreal. 2026-06-16. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-era-of-xr-begins-xreal-launches-xreal-aura-powered-by-android-xr-this-fall-302802018.html. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 David Heaney (2026-06-16). "Xreal Aura Ships This Fall, With Snapdragon Reality Elite In Its Puck". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/xreal-aura-ships-this-fall-with-snapdragon-reality-elite-in-its-puck/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "XREAL Unveils 'Project Aura' at Google I/O - An Optical See-Through XR Device for Android XR". PR Newswire. Xreal. 2025-05-20. https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/xreal-unveils-project-aura-at-google-io--an-optical-see-through-xr-device-for-android-xr-302460492.html. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Shahram Izadi (2025-12-08). "The Android Show: New features for Galaxy XR and a look at future devices". The Keyword. Google. https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android/android-show-xr-edition-updates/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Reservations are open for XREAL AURA - plus, see more news from AWE 2026". The Keyword. Google. 2026-06-16. https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/xr-ar/awe-2026/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  7. ↑ Ben Schoon (2025-06-10). "XREAL says its Android XR glasses only work wired, teases 'largest screen,' 2026 launch". 9to5Google. https://9to5google.com/2025/06/10/xreal-android-xr-project-aura-glasses-wired-screen-launch-date/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  8. ↑ "First Look: Project Aura - The Next Step in XR for Android XR and Gemini". Xreal. 2025-12-08. https://www.xreal.com/blog/aura-25-tas-release-en. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 David Heaney (2025-12-08). "First Clip Of Xreal's Project Aura Android XR Device In Use Revealed". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/xreal-project-aura-android-xr-first-images-clip/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  10. ↑ Matthew McCullough (2025-12-08). "Start building for glasses, new devices for Android XR and more in The Android Show: XR Edition". Android Developers Blog. Google. https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/12/start-building-for-glasses-new-devices.html. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "XREAL and Google Showcase Project Aura at Google I/O 2026". Xreal. 2026-05-19. https://www.xreal.com/blog/project-aura-google-io-2026. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  12. ↑ Scott Hayden (2026-05-19). "First AR Glasses Running Android XR Confirmed for 2026 Launch". Road to VR. https://roadtovr.com/first-android-xr-glasses-2026-launch/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  13. ↑ Ben Schoon (2026-05-19). "XREAL's Android XR glasses will launch before the end of 2026, early access for devs". 9to5Google. https://9to5google.com/2026/05/19/xreal-project-aura-android-xr-developers-2026-launch/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  14. ↑ "XREAL and Google Preview Project Aura XR Glasses at Google I/O". Auganix. 2026-05-22. https://www.auganix.org/ar-news-xreal-project-aura-google-io/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Scott Hayden (2026-06-17). "XREAL AURA AR Glasses Get Fall Release Window, $1,500 Price Ceiling". Road to VR. https://roadtovr.com/xreal-aura-release-date-price-1500/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  16. ↑ "XREAL Founder Priority Pass". XREAL US Shop. Xreal. https://us.shop.xreal.com/products/xreal-founder-priority-pass. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Karissa Bell (2026-06-16). "Xreal officially reveals its Android XR Aura glasses - without a pricetag". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2194861/xreal-aura-android-xr-glasses-launch-no-price/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  18. ↑ "XREAL AURA Priority Deposit". XREAL US Shop. Xreal. https://us.shop.xreal.com/products/xreal-aura-priority-deposit. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Adrian Parham (2026-06-26). "XREAL AURA Brings 70-Degree Android XR Glasses to MWC Shanghai: Fall 2026 Launch Confirmed". Tech Times. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/319140/20260626/xreal-aura-brings-70-degree-android-xr-glasses-mwc-shanghai-fall-2026-launch-confirmed.htm. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  20. ↑ Ben Croll (2026-09-08). "Andy Serkis Unleashes Imagination with Venice Immersive Breakout 'Nevatars'". Variety. syndicated by Yahoo News. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/andy-serkis-unleashes-imagination-venice-094314067.html. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Adamya Sharma (2026-09-06). "I finally tried XREAL's fully-baked Android XR glasses, and now I'm counting down to launch". Android Authority. https://www.androidauthority.com/xreal-aura-hands-on-experience-impressions-3708053/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Karissa Bell (2026-05-20). "Xreal's Project Aura smartglasses are a maximalist take on Android XR". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2177998/android-xr-xreal-project-aura-hands-on/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Raymond Wong (2026-05-19). "Google and Xreal's 'Project Aura' Smart Glasses Are No Longer a Concept". Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/google-and-xreals-project-aura-smart-glasses-are-no-longer-a-concept-2000760588. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  24. ↑ David Heaney (2026-06-16). "Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon Reality Elite, Its New Flagship XR Chipset". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/qualcomm-snapdragon-reality-elite-new-flagship-xr-chipset/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Ben Schoon (2026-06-16). "XREAL Aura Android XR glasses launch 'this fall' with $99 reserve". 9to5Google. https://9to5google.com/2026/06/16/xreal-aura-android-xr-reservations-games/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  26. ↑ "Xreal Aura glasses unveiled with Android XR and the new Snapdragon Reality Elite". GSMArena. 2026-06-17. https://www.gsmarena.com/xreal_aura_glasses_unveiled_with_android_xr_and_the_new_snapdragon_reality_elite-news-73315.php. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  27. ↑ Antony Vitillo (2026-08-27). "XREAL Aura impressions: very interesting AR glasses". The Ghost Howls. https://skarredghost.com/2026/08/27/xreal-aura-hands-on-impressions/. Retrieved 2026-09-20.


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