Key Takeaways
- XREAL’s new Air 2 Ultra AR glasses provide an affordable alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro and the Meta Quest 3, featuring a titanium frame and compatibility with Android, Mac, and Windows.
- The Air 2 Ultra boasts Full HD displays, a 52-degree field of view, and in-frame sensors for simultaneous location and mapping, delivering a real-time 3D space experience.
- Developers can pre-order the Air 2 Ultra for $699, with shipments set to commence in March 2024; the glasses also support Apple’s spatial video feature and offer adjustable temples and classic fashion looks.
XREAL, the company behind the XREAL Air 2 AR glasses, has unveiled a new device at CES 2024 – the XREAL Air 2 Ultra. This device serves as a spatial computer and offers a more budget-friendly option compared to Apple’s Vision Pro Mixed Reality headset or the Meta Quest 3. The new XREAL Air 2 Ultra comes with a titanium frame, compatibility with Android, Mac, and Windows, and a 3D environment backed up by various sensors for a real-time 3D space.
XREAL has introduced the new Air 2 Ultra at CES 2024, and developers can already place their pre-orders for the device. It is available for pre-order at $699, with shipments scheduled to start in March.
The XREAL Air 2 Ultra glasses showcase the new Nebula launcher, aimed at enhancing spatial computing. The glasses are equipped with in-frame sensors, enabling vision capabilities for simultaneous location and mapping to determine the user’s location within a confined 3D space. According to the press release, developers will have the ability to enable hand tracking, 3D mesh creation, semantic scene understanding, and more, including future AI capabilities.
Regarding specifications, the Air 2 Ultra offers Full HD displays for each eye, a 52-degree field of view, and 42 pixels per degree (PPD), which XREAL states is higher than that of the Apple Vision Pro. The wearable supports a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 500 nits, suggesting that the company utilizes a very similar technology to the XREAL Air 2 reviewed on Pocketnow recently.
Additionally, XREAL mentions that the Air 2 Ultra, as well as the Air 2 and the Air 2 Pro wearables, all support Apple’s spatial video feature. Essentially, this means that users will be able to convert spatial videos captured on the iPhone 15 Pro to a regular side-by-side format using third-party iPhone apps for viewing on the XREAL Air 2 series. XREAL claims it can deliver an equally immersive virtual experience without added cost, and there is anticipation for more information.
The XREAL Air 2 Ultra features a titanium frame that improves the durability and ruggedness of the wearable, while maintaining a weight of just 80 grams. The company asserts that it has optimal weight distribution, adjustable temples with three positions, and three nose pad options. Additionally, the glasses are designed as a fashion statement, offering unique and classic looks.
The device is already available for pre-order for developers at $699, with shipping set to begin in March 2024. The latest NRSDK is built on Unity and includes improved hand tracking and hand gesture recognition. The new features are anticipated to revolutionize AR smart glasses and the XREAL Air 2 Ultra offers promising prospects, sparking interest in the developer community and fostering potential use cases.
The XREAL Air 2 Ultra will be compatible with Mac and Windows devices, as well as Samsung Android phones, and the iPhone 15. The potential addition of support for even more older devices remains to be seen, yet the current compatibility presents a promising start.
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XREAL Air 2
The XREAL Air 2 AR glasses have been enhanced to provide a more immersive visual experience, spatial audio, and spatial display. It comes with advanced functionality and a plug-and-play design, enabling users to experience virtual worlds and experiences across popular platforms.
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XREAL Air 2 Pro
