The XReal is one of the standout smart glasses brands in the market that gives its users a unique AR experience, tailored to personal use. So when they rolled out an upgrade to their original XReal Air, many smart glass users like myself were tempted to know how they compare.
Is it worth the upgrade, or is the first-generation Air still good enough for smart glasses beginners? Let’s dive into a comprehensive analysis of the XReal Air and Air 2 comparisons in terms of design, comfort, performance, connectivity and value for money.
Specifications
| Specifications | XReal Air | XReal Air 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomic Design | Nose pad (S/M/L) 3-position temple adjustment Detachable prescription lens frame | New Zero-pressure Nose Pad Ultra-soft Temples Improved 1:1 Weight Ratio |
| Colors | 1– Black | 2– Grey and Red |
| Color Accuracy | ΔE <3, Individualized Color Calibration | ΔE <3, Individualized Color Calibration |
| Dimensions | 148.5 mm x 60 mm x 52 mm | 148mm × 51.4mm × 161mm |
| Audio | 2 Built-in stereo speakers | 2nd generation Sound System with richer, more immersive audio Directional Audio that reduces sound leakage |
| Microphones | 2 | 2 |
| Weight | 79g | 72g |
| Weight Distribution | – | Improved 1:1 Weight Ratio |
| Nose Pad | S/M/L | Zero-pressure Nose Pad (S/M/L) |
| Nearsighted Solution | Detachable prescription lens frame | Detachable prescription lens frame |
| Temple | 3-position temple adjustment | 3-position temple adjustment |
| Display | 0.68” Micro OLED panel from SONY | Latest 0.55” Micro-OLED Panel from SONY |
| Sound | 1st generation Sound System | 2nd generation Sound System |
| Resolution | 1920*1080 pixels per eye | 1920*1080 pixels per eye |
| Low blue light, Flicker-free, Eye comfort, Color Accuracy | ❌ | ✓ |
| Connector | USB-C DisplayPort | USB-C DisplayPort |
| Optical Design | Optic Engine | Optic Engine 2.0 |
| UV Protection | 100% UV Protection | 100% UV Protection |
| Brightness | Up to 400 nits | Up to 500 Nits |
| FOV | 46 degree | 46 degree |
| PPD(Pixel per degree) | 49 | 49 |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz | Up to 120Hz |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Price | $299 | $359 |
Comfort and Design
When it comes to the first look of the XReal Air and XReal Air 2, they pretty much look the same, besides the color options. The XReal Air comes in one single color– black, whereas the XReal Air 2 is available in 2 colors– grey and red.
The arms on Air 2 are more flexible than before, and this significantly reduces the pressure behind my ears when I wear them for longer. The arms still have three angles for adjustment and a better fit on both these variants. The Air 2, while being 7g lighter than the original Air, also has better weight distribution.
Along with these upgrades, the Air 2 is equipped with zero-pressure nose pads, which makes the pressure less on the bridge of the nose and falls more on the back of the ears.
These make the wear time for the Air 2s much longer than the Air. I can easily go 4-5 hrs working on a project or binge-watching the Maze Runner trilogy, things I could not pull off with the Airs.
In addition, both these variants can be customized as per preference with their Kaleido kit skins that are available in six colours. As for comfort, the Air 2 sits better on my ears than the Air and is not as heavy; therefore, I can go longer without having to adjust them and are more comfortable. The nose pads with the Air 2 are also way more comfortable than the Air.
The XReal Air has been known for the cracks in its arms by a small but very vocal community on Reddit. Luckily, I wasn’t one of those, but being your techy next door, I wasn’t gonna let these voices fall on deaf ears. The good news– this has been resolved with the Air 2, with no complaints so far.
The case is also a hardcover for both the variants, with a snap closure case for the Air and a zipper with a softer material case for the Air 2. Either way, I can just toss them in my bag and not worry about breaking them.
Connectivity and Display
But all is not great about the Air 2. The Air 2 has an issue of blurry edges on the display; they have downgraded their screens from a 0.68” display to a 0.55” display. Although the blurry edges are not much of a bother to me, it is worth noting if someone is going to spend a significant amount of money on these glasses. The display quality was also much sharper in the Air as compared to the Air 2.
As for connectivity, if you’re primarily using smart glasses for gaming, the setup for both the XReal Air and the Air 2 is pretty annoying. The gaming experience, although immersive and very engaging, gets negated by the amount of wires involved in the setup, that I might as well be plugging into a whole gaming console!
If you’re a frequent traveler, I do recommend getting the Beam with your XReal glasses, no matter which model you choose. It cuts down on the amount of wires you’ll need to carry on the plane for entertainment because connecting with the Nintendo Switch is a pain. It also acts as a power source for the glasses since they don’t have in-built batteries.
It does incur an extra cost, however, it’s worth your money because it can make the screen larger and fixed. I don’t understand if it’s a placebo or the Beam makes the picture quality slightly better. Either way, it does get my recommendation.
Sad news for Google Pixel users, though: the XReal Air series works with Android devices but not the Google Pixel devices for some weird reason.
Sound and Privacy Upgrades on the Air 2
The sound on the Air 2 is definitely better than the Air; however, the sound on both does leak out a bit, and if I need more privacy in a public setting, such as on a plane or at the office, I use my AirPods for a more subversive experience.
Along with the AirPods, the lightguard provides more privacy and a blackout screen for more of a theater experience. The light guard has also been upgraded from the Air to the Air 2 with a light-blocking design from the bottom, which used to peep in a lot of light on the Air. This is, in my opinion, the best way to enjoy smart glasses.
Price and Availability
The XReal Air is priced at $299, and the Air 2 at $359. The Beam comes at an additional cost of $119. Both these variants are available at XReal’s official website and via their authorized retailers.
Both these variants are available at XReal’s official website and via their authorized retailers.
Final Verdict
At almost half the price, the Air is a decent purchase for someone who wants to try out how smart glasses work, although, with minor upgrades, my choice would still be the Air 2, precisely because of the difference in comfort and sound.
Yes, the blurry edges are a little annoying at times, but I would take that over the damaged arms of the glasses any day. I also feel a moment of disorientation when I wear either model for over a couple of hours, but too much screen time will do that anyway.
The extra investment with Beam is worth it, especially if you plan on using it regularly. But what I would love to see from XReal in the future is a built-in battery for the glasses and a case to hold up as a portable charger. Also, a better fit in terms of how it looks when I’m wearing them. They look a little funny because of how they sit on one’s face, despite being comfortable.
