XREAL Air 2 Glasses: A Major Upgrade in the World of AR
The XREAL Air 2 glasses offer significant improvements over their predecessor, addressing previous issues and providing a more polished and enhanced augmented reality (AR) experience. From comfort to screen quality, these glasses have it all. Additionally, the XREAL Beam accessory takes the AR experience to the next level.
First Impressions of the XREAL Air 2 glasses
The XREAL Air 2 glasses come in high-quality packaging, featuring an updated hard case, cleaning cloth, USB-C charging cable, replacement nose pads, and an improved light-blocking shield. The glasses are available in a striking matte red color and a more conservative dark gray option. Out of the box, they look and feel amazing, with noticeable upgrades in weight and comfort. The nose pad and temples have been improved, providing a significant comfort boost. Users can even use their custom prescription lenses with these glasses without any issues.
The screen of the Air 2 glasses looks almost identical to the original, which is great considering the quality of the original Air's screen. However, the color accuracy of the Air 2 glasses is much better than the first generation, providing a more balanced and immersive experience. Moreover, the Air 2 solves the issue with 3D videos that was present in the original Air glasses. Users can now watch side-by-side video files in full 3D.
The built-in audio of the Air 2 glasses is incredible, but the directional audio feature doesn't make a significant difference in reducing audio leakage. For a more private listening experience, it is recommended to use headphones or earbuds alongside the glasses.
Comparing the XREAL Air vs. Air 2 glasses
The Air 2 glasses offer a much more comfortable wearing experience compared to its predecessor. They are lighter and more flexible, allowing users to wear them for longer periods without discomfort. Additionally, the color accuracy of the Air 2 glasses is significantly improved, providing a better-calibrated monitor for a full-spectrum experience. The Air 2 also solves the issue of over-saturation and disappearing darks that were present in the original Air glasses.
A major upgrade with the Air 2 glasses is the inclusion of the XREAL Beam accessory. This tiny AR-in-a-box device transforms the Air 2 glasses into a full augmented reality experience. The Beam allows users to turn any device that outputs video via USB-C into a virtual screen in their real space. Unlike the original Air glasses, the screen stays in place, offering a smoother and more satisfying AR experience. The Beam can also act as a wireless monitor for smartphones, eliminating the need to choose between charging the phone and watching videos.
The XREAL Beam is a separate product from the Air 2 glasses and retails for $119. This device opens up endless possibilities for the AR marketplace, as it runs Android and allows the installation of Android apps directly onto the Beam. While the current experience may be a bit clumsy, with improvements, XREAL could establish itself as a leader in the AR space.
What to Expect in the Future from XREAL
While the Air 2 glasses themselves offer a polished and enhanced AR experience, a wishlist for XREAL includes a marketplace with usable 3D apps. The company has the potential to create a rich, functional 3D/AR experience and should focus on developing apps that fully utilize the 3D space.
Additionally, users would benefit from a built-in browser with the XREAL Beam, allowing direct downloading of apps onto the device. This would provide a more seamless experience without the need for additional software or transfers.
Lastly, a wider field of view for the glasses would be a nice improvement, although it is a lower priority in comparison to other aspects.
