New AR headset at comparatively low price announced

New AR headset at comparatively low price announced

The new consumer-focused Rokid Max AR glasses promise many features at a competitive price.

Rokid is a Chinese manufacturer of augmented reality glasses. The new Rokid Max, the successor to the Rokid Air, is primarily aimed at private users and offers many features at a comparatively low price.

Rokid Max Features

According to the manufacturer, the Max offers a 50-degree field of view, equivalent to looking at a 215-inch screen from eighteen feet. The Sony micro-OLED display has a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz.  Maximum brightness clocks in at 600 nits and dials adjust the viewing angle of both lenses.

The Max comes with a sound system that Rokid says is "on par with those of major acoustic manufacturers." A button on the glasses' frame switches between 2D and 3D displays of virtual content. High-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) allows access to media and streaming services. Despite the wide range of functions, the AR headset weighs under a fifth-of-a-pound, according to Rokid.

Control and use cases

The primary control input is hand-tracking, although a launch video also shows a controller connected to the headset via a cable. No such controller currently appears on Rokid's official website.

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Other accessories on the website include an HDMI adapter that connects the Rokid Max to various game consoles for streaming games. However, the AR headset is primarily for mobile use, as the manufacturer emphasizes.

There is no information from Rokid regarding battery life or capacity. The AR headset's performance will be seen in mid-May when delivery starts. The Rokid Max is available for pre-order now starting at $439.

Chinese competitor Nreal offers a comparable (and less expensive) AR headset with the Nreal Air (info). The AR headset from the direct Chinese competition experiences success as a SteamDeck accessory.