The Virtue Pro XR glasses have taken the advancements in the smart glass industry a step forward by bringing the world of augmented reality in a sleek and portable design with highly impressive display tech. As an old-school millennial set in my ways, I try to find as many use cases for a new tech gadget so that it doesn’t get stashed away in a drawer for months.
Happy to report, and spoiler alert: this gadget has earned its place in my daily routine. Be it for traveling, movie marathons, or a good game of A Way Out with my boyfriend, the glasses have upped my productivity on the go!
Specifications
| Specifications | Viture Pro XR |
|---|---|
| Weight | 77g |
| Size | Length- 163mmWidth- 47.7mmHeight- 53.7mm |
| Brightness | 4000 nits |
| Colors | Black |
| Display | Sony Micro-OLED |
| Contrast Ratio | 100,000:1 |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz highest refresh rate |
| Nearsighted Solution | Myopia adjustment on the latest Micro-OLED panel |
| Nose Pad | 4 (Sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4) |
| Temple | Non-adjustable |
| FOV | 46° |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 per eye |
| Port | Magnetic |
| Audio | HARMAN speakers |
| Microphones | Requires neckband |
| Sound leakage reduction | Built-in Spatial Sound |
| Battery Life | No built-in battery |
| Screen size | 135” |
| PPD | 49 |
| Co-op Games/ Movie-sharing | ✔️ |
| Switch Compatibility | ✔️ |
| Built-in 3Dof | ✔️ |
| Titanium Material | ✔️ |
| Remote Play on Consoles/ PC | ✔️ |
| Adjustable Diopters | ✔️ |
| Electrochromic Film | 1 click immersion |
| Price | $459 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Design and Comfort
One of the most interesting design features in the Viture Pro XR, unlike any other that I’ve seen, is the two dials on top of the frame to adjust focus for each eye. This eliminates the need to add extra lens insets for people who have nearsightedness issues.
The two dual-function buttons on the sides are present to adjust volume and brightness, with another button for electrochromic dimming. This is another great feature of the Viture Pro glasses: the ability to make the lens’ opacity darker in order to provide a more immersive experience and block light from outside, which is especially useful in outdoor settings.
The only drawback is that there are only two levels of dimming, either fully black or transparent. I would’ve wanted them to be somewhere in the middle when I don’t want to be so aloof from my surroundings. Another design feature I loved in the Viture Pro is the magnetic connector instead of the traditional wired ports that other smartglasses have.
They are also pretty comfortable to wear for longer periods of time, given four different choices of nose pads to choose from. The glasses don’t tilt, unlike some other glasses I’ve reviewed, nor do the arms bend. Not that the absence of these features makes it uncomfortable, but I would have preferred to have their weight pushed back just a tad.
Display, Performance, and Connectivity
The glasses also have dual 1080p micro-OLED displays, with the images being angled downwards, and a 135” screen display. These 77g glasses are packed with a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of 4000 nits.
This, combined with the electrochromic dimming feature, makes the display clear, crisp, and a delight to use in any environment, be it indoors or outdoors. Although the cable can only connect to USB-C devices, the Pro Dock, an additional accessory possessing a 13,000 mAh battery, extends the glasses’ performance to HDMI devices as well.
This is especially useful for connecting gaming devices such as the Xbox or PlayStation and even a second pair of glasses to engage in a multiplayer gaming session. As for connecting the glasses to a Nintendo Switch, since the same doesn’t support a display of its own, it can be connected via a USB-C and the dock. The dock is also great while traveling since it doubles as a portable battery backup for any device connected to the glasses and increases use time.
The sound is the less impressive part of these glasses. The tiny speakers, at their maximum volume, give off audio that is thinned out by background noise very easily. That does mean that the audio bleed is almost negligible to the person sitting beside me.
The SpaceWalker App
Virtue’s SpaceWalker app is designed to maximize productivity and is one of the best smart glass platforms I’ve come across. With a triple display aligned vertically for multitasking, it lets me watch videos on one screen and work on the other two screens simultaneously. Even with a simple dual display or an ultrawide 21:9 setup, this was nothing short of impressive.
There is no need for an additional setup to access the app; it is very easily accessible. While moving apps across the three screens, I did encounter a few glitches, but it wasn’t as bad as some other smart glass platforms I’ve used. We do, however, need an adapter for iOS devices, but there is no need for an adapter for Android devices.
The Pros:
- The display with the Micro-OLED tech is clear, crisp, and bright, with no blurry edges.
- The built-in electrochromic dimming feature works very well and, combined with the 4000 nits brightness, extends usability to many environments.
- The myopia adjustability for each lens eliminates the need for additional lenses and is useful for people who have nearsightedness.
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
The Cons:
- The full bundle can be costly.
- The lens angle can’t be adjusted.
- The volume feels a bit low.
- The field of view is restricted and just falls short of a full-screen display.
Price and Availability
The Viture Pro XR glasses are priced at $459, which is just slightly pricier than their previous model. However, the number of upgrades makes it worth the price tag. The $129 Mobile Dock is a great addition to the glasses.
The glasses and their accessories are available via Viture’s official website.
Final Verdict
Even with a few setbacks, the Viture Pro XR is a cut above its competitors in the AR space. The display and software integration are unmatched and a pure joy to use. Even though I would’ve liked a slightly bigger field of view and better audio, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of use cases I found for these.
Safe to say, they would not be dumped at the back of my drawer anytime soon. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your long flights with something far better than in-flight entertainment, look no further. While you’re at it, I do recommend getting the Pro Dock along with the glasses.
