Xreal 1S brings sharper AR visuals and a lower entry price
Xreal presented an upgraded entry-level augmented reality glasses model at CES, highlighting how personal smart eyewear is becoming a central theme of the event. The new device, called the Xreal 1S, serves as a successor to the earlier Xreal One and introduces several refinements designed to improve visual performance while remaining compact and relatively affordable. The company positioned the 1S as a more refined version of its original consumer AR product, maintaining its lightweight everyday-wear design while aiming to deliver clearer imagery and broader appeal to mainstream users. The development underscores how the brand continues to shape the emerging AR glasses market, as manufacturers strive for slimmer forms rather than bulky headsets.
The most notable hardware change appears in the display capabilities. Xreal increased the resolution from 1080p to 1200p, providing a sharper, more detailed viewing experience. The higher resolution aims to make text, images, films, and game visuals appear clearer, giving users a more pleasant display without requiring a jump to full headset-style equipment. The updated glasses also introduce a blue exterior finish, departing from the familiar black design of previous versions and giving the product a new aesthetic identity. These refinements suggest the brand is trying to blend everyday fashion with technology rather than leaning into a purely technical appearance.
A key strategic move is the price adjustment. The 1S model launches at US$449, which is lower than the earlier model’s US$499 price. By reducing entry costs while improving image quality, Xreal is clearly seeking to strengthen its competitive position in a market crowded with both high-end headsets and cheaper experimental devices. The glasses can be connected to smartphones, laptops, and select handheld gaming systems. Because they draw power directly from those devices, users do not need to manage a separate battery pack. This makes them more convenient for people who want lightweight AR viewing without bulky accessories.
However, compatibility with Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 has been uncertain due to the gaming company’s restrictive approach to third-party video access. Xreal has responded by introducing a new accessory called Neo, priced at US$99 initially, rising to US$119 after a promotional period. Neo combines a battery pack and video hub, enabling users to route the Nintendo console’s video feed through to the 1S glasses. This solution provides a private gaming experience during travel or in public settings, though the possibility remains that Nintendo could block such workarounds in future system updates.
Compared with large mixed-reality headsets such as Apple Vision Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy XR, the Xreal 1S does not deliver the same level of immersion or field of view. The glasses are designed more like familiar spectacles, focusing on portability and practicality rather than total environmental overlay. The visual quality is also lower than that of premium headsets. Still, the smaller form factor and much lower price make them appealing to users who value convenience over complete immersion. This balance of practicality and affordability forms a core part of Xreal’s strategy as it aims to attract everyday users rather than only technology enthusiasts.
Alongside this, Xreal continues to collaborate with Google on Project Aura, a more advanced standalone AR glasses platform running on Android XR with support from a tethered battery pack. Google has already stated that its first smart glasses based on Gemini artificial intelligence are scheduled to ship this year. However, Project Aura does not yet have an official launch timeline, even with these higher-end plans in motion, Xreal treats cost-effective devices such as the 1S as essential to its broader vision. The company is building a layered ecosystem, where advanced future headsets coexist with simpler, lighter AR eyewear aimed at mainstream adoption. The key takeaway is that Xreal is attempting to integrate AR into everyday life by offering sharper visuals, broader device support, and more accessible pricing, while maintaining an active long-term innovation pipeline.
