The XReal Air 2 Pro and Air 2 Ultra, while similar in features and look, target a varied audience. While the Pro targets intermediate users in the AR/VR realm, the Ultra is aimed more towards developers and seasoned AR/VR enthusiasts.
So, with a stark difference in the price tag, which one is better for you? Let’s find out!
Specifications
| Specifications | XReal Air 2 Pro | XReal Air 2 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Length- 148.5mm Width- 48mm Height- 52mm | Length- 148.5mm Width- 48mm Height- 161.5mm |
| Weight | 75 g | 83 g |
| Colors | Black, Red | Black |
| Display | Latest SONY 0.55” Micro-OLED | SONY 0.68” Micro-OLED |
| Adjustable Lens Transparency | 3 Modes Electrochromic Dimming | 3 Modes Electrochromic Dimming |
| Indicator | Two LED Indicator Lights | Two LED Indicator Lights |
| Weight Distribution | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Nearsighted Solution | Detachable prescription lens frame | Detachable prescription lens frame (Air 2 ultra is not compatible with Air and Air 2 prescription lens frames) |
| 3DOF | 3 DoF Supported, Beam/Beam Pro Required | 3 DoF Supported, Beam/Beam Pro Required |
| 6DOF | – | 6 DoF Supported, Beam Pro Required |
| Nose Pad | Zero-pressure Nose Pad (S/M/L) | Zero-pressure Nose Pad (S/M/L) |
| Frame | Plastic | Titanium |
| Multi-functional Button | Function 1: Single click to switch between dimming levels Function 2: Double-click to turn on/off the display | Detachable prescription lens frame (Air 2 Ultra is not compatible with Air and Air 2 prescription lens frames) |
| Temple | 3-position temple adjustment | 3-position temple adjustment |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz Highest Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz (2D mode 120 Hz, 3D mode 90Hz) |
| Color accuracy | ΔE <3, Individualized Color Calibration | ΔE <3, Individualized Color Calibration |
| Optical Design | Optic Engine 2.0 | Optic Engine 3.0 |
| FOV | 46 ° | 52 ° |
| Resolution | 4 Million Pixels,1080p | 4 Million Pixels,1080p |
| Brightness | Up to 500 nits | Up to 500 nits (2D mode 30-500 nit, 3D mode 20-250 nit) |
| UV Protection | 100% UV Protection | 100% UV Protection |
| Sound | 2nd generation Sound System | 2nd generation Sound System |
| 3 Electrochromic Dimming Levels | 0%/35%/100% | 0%/35%/100% |
| Dimming Technology | Electrochromic Film | Electrochromic dimming lenses |
| Flicker-free, Low Blue Light, Eye comfort, Color accuracy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hand/ Head tracking | ❌ | ✓ |
| Speakers | 2 Built-in Stereo Speakers | 2 Built-in Stereo Speakers |
| Sound leakage reduction | Directional Technology | Directional Technology |
| Microphones | 2 | 2 |
| Screen Mirroring | USB-C Video Output Device HDMI Output Devices iPhone Android MacBook SteamDeck ROGAlly WindowsP | USB-C Video Output Device HDMI Output Devices iPhone Android MacBook SteamDeck ROGAlly WindowsP |
| Connectivity | USB-C, HDMI via Beam | USB-C Video Output, HDMI Output |
| Price | $449 | $699 |
Comfort and Design
Similar in size, the Air 2 Pro is lighter than the Air 2 Ultra by 8g, owing to the additional 3D camera sensors on both sides of the frame. Though not much of a noticeable difference, the Pro is slightly easier to wear for longer durations of time.
There are 3 sizes of nose pads available for both variants, along with 1:1 weight distribution, giving them a more comfortable fit, along with bendable arms for a better fit. They both still felt a little like they were leaning forward, which I felt got better when the cable was attached from behind the ear.
Speaking of fit, both the variants sit farther away from my eyes, making it look a little funny. The Ultra has a titanium metallic rim around the lenses, which enhances the look to make it more premium and stylish, while the Pro has no metallic rim and just a black frame.
Additionally, the Ultra has 3D camera sensors on both sides of the frame for positional tracking and interacting with the environment. Although not the smoothest yet, they enable the glasses to have a wider field of view of 52 degrees, as compared to the 46 degrees offered in the Pro model.
Connectivity, Sound, and Display
They also feature electrochromic dimming lenses, which have three levels of dimming to block out external light and provide a more immersive experience. However, the Pro comes with an additional light shield that provides the same feature of blocking the light without the levels.
With a brightness of 500 nits, the Pro has remarkably clear picture quality with sharp images and a 1080p OLED display for each eye, and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The glasses are connected to any device that supports a DisplayPort (DP) and a USB-C port directly.
The Ultra also has a brightness of 500 nits and an incredibly clear picture quality with a 52-degree field of view and 120Hz refresh rate, which goes down to 90Hz in 3D. While the sound quality for the glasses is good enough, the Ultra takes it a notch further with louder directional audio, allowing for a better experience. I prefer using my AirPods with the Air 2 Pro.
The Major Difference
XReal has proceeded to cater to different users by differentiating their Pro and Ultra plans with their tracking capabilities. With six degrees of freedom (6DoF), in place of three degrees of freedom (3DoF) like in the pro, the Ultra supports motion tracking and hand tracking. This enables me to use my Ultra glasses with gestures such as pinching.
Now, what does this mean for different use scenarios? The 3Dof in the Air 2 Pro provides a smooth follow, which makes for a very stable, centered screen and viewing experience. This is perfect for a binge-watching session of the Harry Potter series or during the long hours of a flight since the screen remains fixed despite small head movements. This, combined with the high-quality OLED experience, makes the Pros great for long travels and everyday use.
What the Pro lacks, though, is spatial tracking, which is present in the Ultras thanks to its 6DoF capability. Now, this is a game-changer for AR since it brings this function that we usually see in VR glasses, which often come with a hefty price tag. This allows developers and tech enthusiasts to interact with objects in the real world for creating and testing AR applications for a more immersive gaming experience or engaging with spatial apps.
The Ultra does come with its limitations. It is not suitable for someone looking for an affordable option with the primary purpose of media consumption and regular gaming sessions. Therefore, the Ultra is more developer-focused, and I would give them a few updates for being suitable for everyday use and truly justify its cost.
Pros and Cons
| Pros of the XReal Air 2 Pro | Pros of the XReal Air 2 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Affordable entry point for AR glasses. | Enhanced AR display experience with a larger screen size. |
| NebulaOS interface is engaging and supports multitasking. | Supports electrochromic dimming with 3 levels (0%, 35%, 100%). |
| Supports electrochromic dimming with 3 levels (0%, 35%, 100%). | High-performing Snapdragon processor. |
| Excellent visual clarity. | Comfortable and lightweight. |
| Comfortable and lightweight. | Supports hand and head tracking. |
| Cons of the XReal Air 2 Pro | Cons of the XReal Air 2 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Limited field of view/ | Low quality for 2D pictures. |
| Nebula app crashes. | Still lags behind competitors in the AR/VR glasses space at similar price points. |
| Good value for AR beginners, but it is less versatile due to the lack of cellular connectivity. | High price point. |
| Needs lots of cables and connectors to use devices with the glasses. It can’t be used as a standalone device. | Needs lots of cables and connectors to use devices with the glasses. It can’t be used as a standalone device. |
| It can cause motion sickness. |
Price and Availability
The Air 2 Pro and the Air 2 Ultra, while mostly similar, are varied in their prices. Pro is priced at $449, while the Ultra is set to break the bank with a $699 price tag.
Both variants are available on XReal’s official website.
Final Verdict
While both glasses are impressive, they both have their limitations, leaving room for improvement. Built-in battery life, standalone capabilities such as cellular connectivity, and better app integrations are just a few of the features that I would wanna see in AR glasses.
Not to mention, a better fitting that doesn’t sit so far from my eyes, making them look funny. While we wait for these updates, if you’re looking for an entry point into the AR/VR market, the Air 2 Pros are a great option. The Ultra needs more for me to be convinced of the $699 price tag.
