Xreal Unveils Aura Wired Smart Glasses Powered by Android XR

At the Android Dev Summit, Xreal introduced the Aura, a tethered smart-glasses headset that runs on Google’s Android XR and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite platforms. The device relies on an external “puck” for processing rather than containing all compute onboard. Its optics feature Sony’s Micro-OLED panel with 1200p resolution at 120 Hz and a 95-degree field of view, surpassing the specifications of Meta’s Ray-Ban Display on paper. Weighing 95 grams, the Aura is heavier than Meta’s 69-gram glasses, and users must carry the accompanying puck. Audio is delivered through Bose-engineered sound, and the Android XR integration includes Gemini as an on-device Q&A assistant.

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Xreal offers two configurations: a 12 GB RAM/256 GB storage model priced at $1,279 with a limited launch discount of $1,099, and a 16 GB RAM/512 GB model listed at $1,499 with a launch price of $1,299. Both versions are available for order in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, with the company indicating shipments will begin by mid-November.

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The Aura enters a crowded arena where Meta is expanding its own glasses line and Apple and Google are preparing competing devices. Google’s strategy mirrors its Android-phone model, partnering with hardware makers such as Samsung and Xreal to proliferate Android XR-enabled products. By delivering a wired solution that can also accept a direct USB-C connection to a PC or handheld console, Xreal aims to differentiate itself from fully standalone headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro.

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Xreal CEO Chi Xu explained that building a smart-glass business remains financially challenging, noting that many companies in the sector are operating at a loss. He described the current moment as an “inflection point” where hardware, operating system, and user-interface components have finally aligned to enable broader adoption. Xu emphasized that success will depend on having all three pillars ready simultaneously.

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At launch, the Aura supports a range of Google Play apps and XR experiences, including the NBA App, Fallout: Factions, a NASCAR XR simulation, and a virtual rendition of the San Francisco Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” The headset can function as an augmented display for a computer or gaming console, allowing users to create multi-monitor setups or a large virtual screen for entertainment and productivity tasks.

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