Xreal Air 2: Release, price, resolution – all you need to know
The Xreal Air 2 AR glasses are now available. Read all about the hardware, compatibility, accessories, and availability.
With Xreal Air 2, the AR and smart glasses maker formerly known as Nreal is launching a new, compact sunglasses-style AR eyewear. It is said to be more comfortable and powerful than its predecessor, and features new micro-OLED displays from Sony.
Read on to find out what the Xreal Air 2 can be used for, what technology it uses, how much it costs and where you can buy it.
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What is Xreal Air 2 for?
Xreal Air 2 mirrors the image of connected devices (smartphone, laptop, game console, etc.) into the wearer's field of vision. A compact smartphone display becomes a virtual screen of up to 330 inches (ca. 8 m).
The transmitted image is automatically centered in your field of view whenever you move your head. A smartphone can be used to stream movies from the Netflix app, for example, or you extend the screen of a laptop.
Combined with the optional Xreal Beam accessory, the virtual display can be adjusted, or anchored in the room. The Nebula software features a 3DoF AR user interface that unfolds into a giant virtual curved screen in front of you.
Here you can place and move your own photos around the room, play video content, check the calendar or play small AR games. Nebula is currently only available on smartphones.
With the already announced Windows and Mac versions of Nebula, it will also be possible to mirror your own PC user interface on virtual curved screens on Xreal Air 2.
Where is Xreal Air 2 officially available?
Xreal Air 2 is officially available in the following countries and regions:
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Great Britain
- USA
- Japan
- China
When will Xreal Air 2 go on sale?
The Xreal Air 2 is now available for pre-order from the manufacturer's website. Sales through stores such as Amazon are expected to start in November. According to Xreal, the first units will be shipped to customers in the US and UK in mid-November. Shipments to Europe will begin in December.
How much does Xreal Air 2 cost?
Xreal Air 2 costs 459 Euros in Europe, 399 GBP in the UK and $399 in the US. For the Pro version, Xreal charges 515 Euros, $449 and 449 GBP.
What colours are available for the Xreal Air 2?
Xreal Air 2 comes in a stylish Wayfarer design and is available in Graphite Grey and Carmine Red. The Pro version is only available in Graphite Grey. Xreal also offers sticker sets (Kaleido Kits), allowing you to personalize the headset in six different colors.
The Xreal Air 2 is available in the colors "Graphite Gray" and "Carmine Red". | Image: Xreal
Weight and dimensions of the Xreal Air 2
At 72 grams, the Xreal Air 2 is seven grams lighter than its predecessor. The Pro version weighs 75 grams. The dimensions for both variants are 148 mm × 51.4 mm × 161 mm (unfolded) and 56.4 mm × 51.4 mm × 56.4 mm (folded).
Display and resolution of the Xreal Air 2
The Xreal Air 2 features two 0.55-inch micro OLED displays from Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. Xreal specifies the following:
- Resolution per eye: Full HD (1920 × 1080)
- 49 ppd
- Contrast ratio: 100,000:1
- Brightness: Up to 500 nits
- Response time: 0.01 milliseconds
- Refresh rate: Up to 120 Hz
Xreal Air 2 and Xreal Air 2 Pro are certified by TÜV Rheinland Greater China (Color Accuracy, Eye Comfort, Low Blue Light and Flicker Free).
What is included in the package?
When you purchase Xreal Air 2 or Xreal Air 2 Pro, in addition to the glasses, you'll also receive a travel pouch, three nose pads, a clip-on light shield, a frame for prescription lenses, a USB-C cable, and a cleaning cloth.
Does Xreal Air 2 also work in stand-alone mode?
Xreal Air 2 cannot be used without a device connected. The display headset does not have a built-in battery. Power is supplied by the connected device.
What is the difference between Xreal Air 2 and Xreal Air 2 Pro?
Xreal Air 2 pro has built-in light dimming. The "electrochromic dimming" is designed to always block the right amount of incoming light to maintain an optimal image in changing lighting conditions.
The Xreal Air 2 Pro is identical in construction to the standard variant, but has an automatic dimming function. | Image: Xreal
You can smoothly switch between three dimming levels by tapping the mode button on the frame:
- Transparent Mode (0% effect): No light is blocked. The real environment is clearly visible.
- Productivity Mode (35% effect): The real environment is still easily recognizable.
- Immersive Mode (100% effect): Incoming light is fully blocked. The surroundings are almost completely blanked out.
What devices is Xreal Air 2 compatible with?
Xreal Air 2 can be connected to any device that supports USB-C display output (e.g. smartphone, laptop, Steam Deck, ROG Ally). Depending on your device, the included USB-C cable may be sufficient, or you may need to purchase an optional accessory.
- Connect to iPhone: Requires Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter (sold separately) AND Xreal Adapter or Xreal Beam.
- Connect to game console (Xbox, PS5 or Nintendo Switch): Requires Xreal Adapter or Xreal Beam AND HDMI to USB-C cable.
- Connect via Air Cast (AirPlay, Miracast, DLNA): Requires Xreal Beam.
Optional accessories for Xreal Air 2
Xreal Adapter
The Xreal Adapter connects the Air 2 to iPhone or iPad (also requires Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter) and gaming consoles such as Xbox Series X, Playstation 5 or Nintendo Switch.
- Built-in rechargeable Li-Ion polymer battery, rated capacity 2600 mAh/10.01 Wh
- Up to 3 hours of video playback
- Charging time, up to 40 percent in 30 minutes
- Video output up to 1080p, 60 Hz via USB-C
- Connectivity options: HDMI input, Lightning input (Apple Lightning digital AV adapter required), USB-C DisplayPort output.
- Price: $49
Xreal Beam
The iPod-sized Xreal Beam does everything the Xreal Adapter can do, plus enables Air Cast (AirPlay, Miracast and DLNA) and offers three new display options called "Spatial Display."
- Body Anchor: The image is firmly anchored in the room.
- Side View: The image can be zoomed out and moved to the edge of the field of view to reveal the physical surroundings.
- Smooth Follow: When the head moves, the image follows the view with a smooth delay.
Xreal Beam is reminiscent of Apple's iPod MP3 player in shape and size. | Image: Xreal
The cable connection makes all devices with USB-C video output compatible. The refresh rate is said to be 120 Hz in Air Cast mode. According to the manufacturer, the built-in battery should last about 3.5 hours, support 27W fast charging, and be half charged in 30 minutes.
- Price: $119
Xreal H-C cable
The 1.2-meter HDMI to USB-C cable (4K at 60Hz) allows you to connect consoles to the Xreal Beam or Xreal Adapter.
- Price: $24,99
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