Xreal One Pro

The high price remains an obstacle, but the OLED panel and spatial computing tech lend it appeal

- JASON ENGLAND

The original Xreal One AR glasses impressed us back at the start of the year (see issue 366, p70), and I’ve been eagerly waiting to try out the enhanced Pro version. Now it’s finally here, I'm delighted to say it’s worth the wait; it might even be worth the steep asking price.

If you’re not familiar with AR glasses, the idea is simple: using a standard USB-C cable, you can connect them to almost any smartphone, laptop or computer, and either extend or duplicate the device’s display onto the inside of the lenses. The result is a huge, high-quality virtual screen that’s completely private to you. I love this technology for long trips on trains and planes, as it allows me to turn the phone in my pocket into a personal movie projector - but no matter where you wear them, AR glasses open up a whole new world of entertainment and productivity.

The Xreal One Pros look similar to the original Xreal Ones, but the front is much flatter, with a sleek and subtle design. AR glasses are usually bulky, conspicuous things - on long-haul flights, I’m accustomed to getting double-takes when I'm wearing my larger-than-life techno specs, but nobody has yet batted an eye at the Xreal One Pros - and while they’re slightly heavier than the regular Ones, their premium construction feels great to wear for hours.