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Xreal Aura is a new wired headset powered by Android XR

Devices1 min read

Xreal has launched the Xreal Aura, a wired pair of smart glasses that runs on Google's Android XR software. The glasses connect to a separate puck-like device that does the heavy computing.

What happened

At the Android Developer Summit, Xreal, a partner of Google, launched the Xreal Aura smart glasses. They use Android XR and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite platform. The glasses are tied to a smartphone-like device for processing power. They then show content in the wearer's field of view. They can be ordered now in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, with shipping expected by mid-November.

Key numbers and facts

  • Weight: 95 grams, compared with 69 grams for Meta's Ray-Ban Meta Display.
  • Display: Sony Micro-OLED with 1200p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a 95-degree field of view.
  • Price: 12GB + 256GB version costs $1,279 ($1,099 launch price through December). 16GB + 512GB version costs $1,499 ($1,299 launch price through December).
  • Launch apps include NBA App for Android XR, NASCAR XR App, Fallout: Factions, and San Francisco Ballet Company's The Nutcracker.

Why smart glasses are a race

Smart glasses are small computers you wear on your face. Meta is pushing hard into this market, and Apple and Google want their own devices too. Google is working with partners such as Samsung and Xreal, much as it did with Android phones. Xreal's CEO said earlier this year that building a smart glasses business is hard and that everyone in the field is losing money.

Why it matters

This launch shows how Google plans to bring Android XR to everyday people through many device makers. The Aura has stronger screen specs than Meta's glasses on paper, but it is heavier and needs a separate puck to work. Buyers will need to decide whether a bigger, sharper display is worth carrying an extra device.

What to watch

  • Whether shipping starts by mid-November as planned.
  • Whether the limited launch price stays in place after December.
  • How well the Gemini assistant helps users understand what is on screen.
  • Whether more apps and games arrive for Android XR.

Glossary

Android XR
Google's software for smart glasses and headsets that show digital content over the real world.
Snapdragon Reality Elite
A Qualcomm chip platform made to power XR (extended reality) devices like smart glasses.
Xreal
A company that makes smart glasses and works with Google on Android XR devices.
Micro-OLED
A very small, bright screen type that packs many pixels into a tiny space.
Gemini
Google's AI assistant that answers questions and can help with what is on the screen.

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