I Put on Meta and Xreal’s XR Glasses. Face Computers Are Finally Getting Good
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Xreal announced its Aura mixed‑reality glasses at a price of $1,279, $20 less than Meta’s newly unveiled VR glasses revealed at Meta Connect. The Aura ships this year for reservation holders, with broader preorder opening in the coming weeks and initial shipments to the United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea, expanding to additional markets in 2027. The device features a 12 GB RAM, 256 GB storage configuration, a 5K micro‑OLED display, and real‑world passthrough lenses, allowing users to watch video, play games and project a virtual screen while remaining mobile. Meta’s counterpart uses a front‑half headset design, offers smoother hand‑tracking and a more polished virtual keyboard experience, but is bulkier. Both glasses rely on an external compute puck that must be carried in a pocket. The review highlighted Aura’s lighter form factor and better outdoor mobility, while noting occasional Android app compatibility issues.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Aura’s lower price and lighter design give consumers a more accessible entry point into high‑quality mixed reality, challenging Meta’s dominance in the premium headset segment.
