A $1,279 Entry Point Into Android XR
Xreal has officially opened pre-orders for the Xreal Aura, its inaugural pair of smart glasses running Google’s Android XR operating system. With a base price of $1,279, the device enters the market as a direct challenger to upcoming augmented and mixed reality hardware, according to Feber.
Split-Compute Architecture Boosts Performance over Snapdragon XR2+
The Aura utilizes a split-compute architecture, tethering the glasses to a standalone “compute puck.” The $1,279 entry-level configuration bundles the headset with a processor unit featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Users seeking higher performance can opt for a $1,499 tier, which upgrades the hardware to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Qualcomm claims this processor delivers significant gains over the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 found in devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR: 30% faster CPU performance, 60% better GPU performance, and 160% faster AI processing. The puck itself houses a 4,455mAh battery, supports 65W wired charging, and functions as a physical trackpad for navigation.
Transparent Lenses and Bose Audio Define Aura Design
Xreal has opted for transparent lenses that mimic traditional eyewear, a departure from the video-passthrough camera systems found in Meta’s anticipated VR glasses. Despite this difference in optical strategy, the Aura targets similar mixed reality use cases.
The device includes hand-tracking capabilities and audio branded as Sound by Bose. To accommodate different facial structures, Xreal is offering two sizes: Medium, designed for inter-pupillary distances of 60–66mm, and Large, for those between 66–72mm. The glasses provide a 70-degree field of view.
Initial Shipping Begins for Deposit Holders Before 2025
Access to the initial supply is restricted. Those who placed a $100 deposit earlier this year are projected to receive their units before the end of 2024, per Feber. For the general public, shipping is not scheduled to begin until 2025.
The launch is currently limited to the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea; notably, the UK has been omitted from the initial list despite earlier announcements. Xreal intends to broaden its market reach in 2027, the same year Meta is expected to debut its own competing glasses, which are estimated to cost approximately $1,300.
Independence From Mobile Hardware
Unlike many smart glasses that tether to a smartphone for processing, the Xreal Aura functions as a standalone device. By running Android XR on its dedicated compute puck, the system offers full access to the Google Play Store, marking a departure from the reliance on external mobile hardware that characterized previous industry standards.
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