Cheap AR Glasses Era Starting
Xreal just launched a cheaper AR glasses line called “X By Xreal,” and the first model is the a01. The company is aiming these more at casual entertainment and travel use instead of full mixed-reality features.
The a01 glasses start at $299 and focus on portability. They weigh around 62 grams, connect directly to phones or laptops with a cable, and project a large virtual display for movies, games, or general screen use. Xreal says the glasses include a new anti-shake system meant to keep the image stable while moving around on trains or planes.
They also come with swappable front frames in different styles, which feels very “wearable tech trying to become actual fashion.” Unlike more advanced XR headsets, these don’t do full spatial tracking, so the experience is simpler and more focused on being a personal screen you can carry around.
Observation: The funny thing about AR glasses now is that companies seem less obsessed with making them futuristic and more obsessed with making them normal enough that people will actually wear them outside.
