These XR glasses gave me a 500-inch screen to work on while traveling

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latest Xreal 1S specs Offer several notable upgrades and a launch price that is somehow lower than its predecessor. So what’s the problem?

After testing them for a good month it turns out that there is no twist or turn anymore. Compared to its predecessor, the It’s better in every way, but cheaper.

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Along with the glasses, Xreal also launched the Neo accessory, which acts as a compact 10,000 mAh battery bank and DisplayPort video hub. Due to Nintendo’s hardware limitation with USB-C ports, this video hub capability is required to use the Nintendo Switch 1 or 2 with XR Glasses. What follows is my experience using both the new devices.

How are the glasses?

I’ve been using the Xreal 1S glasses for the past few weeks during my daily commute, while working with Surface and MacBook Pro computers, and while sitting in chairs at home with my Nintendo Switch. The Xreal 1S is similar to the Xreal One Pro, with immersive experiences powered by the Xreal X1 spatial computing chip.

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With a $200 savings over the Xreal One Pro, I don’t think many people will miss the difference in field of view and other advanced features.

Unless there are specific games limited to the Switch 2, buying a pair of Xreal 1s to complement your existing Switch 1 is likely to give you a better mobile gaming experience.

As part of the X1 chip, the Xreal 1S are the first pair of Xreal glasses to support Real 3D. While the Witcher Glasses require you to run the Spacewalker application and offer limited content for conversion, Xreal offers 2D to 3D conversion of any content of your choice, powered by the glasses, without any special software or accessories.

Toggle one of the quick button options between 2D and 3D, so you can also see your phone’s home screen convert to a 3D view. The conversion works well, and it’s fun to enjoy movies and home videos in 3D with the press of a simple button.

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The Xreal 1S is available in dark navy blue, with the bottom right button being red in color which makes it stand out as the main control mechanism. Three levels of adjustment are available on the two frame pieces, allowing you to find the optimal angle for your needs.

There are various nose pieces to get the perfect fit, and overall, the 82-gram glasses are extremely comfortable for long periods of use.

The ability to easily enable ultra-wide screen mode on my laptop is key to productivity, and I wouldn’t travel without a pair of XR glasses. I also like the 3DoF tracking that lets me watch content and then turn my head to look through the glasses and observe my surroundings.

Also: These XR glasses effectively replaced my dual monitors

Also supports Xreal 1S Eye Camera Module Accessories Which enables 6DoF spatial anchoring and content capturing with virtual environment overlays. Audio from the two bottom-mounted speakers on the frame sounds good, but the volume is a bit low for me when traveling by train, so some areas require external earbuds for a better audio experience.

xreal neo accessory

One limitation of using your smartphone or gaming device with your Xreal 1S glasses is that your device will drain the battery while rendering video content. The new Xreal Neo sports a compact 10,000 mAh battery with an integrated USB-C cable for charging your device. The Neo has two USB-C ports: one to charge the Neo and the other to connect your Xreal Glasses.

If you have a Nintendo Switch 1 or 2, you can use the Neo as both a battery pack and a DisplayPort video hub. It is easy to carry, measuring 121.3 x 73 x 21.7 mm and weighing just 244 grams. An integrated metal kickstand on the back lets you prop it up for easy storage.

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There’s a powerful magnet on the front that securely attaches the Neo to your smartphone or other device with a magnetic or metal back. The package also comes with two round magnetic stickers; The Switch also supports a taller rear Switch kickstand for the Switch 2.

The Neo charges at 30W and outputs up to 20W. When paired with a powerful wall charger, the Neo can output up to 45W.

Upgraded the Nintendo Switch from 720p to 1200p in Neo TV mode, and I can no longer play it without a pair of XR glasses. Steam Deck gameplay has also been upgraded with the faster refresh rates provided by Neo.

ZDNET’s shopping advice

Xreal continues to impress with its AR glasses, and xreal 1s Sets a new bar for glasses in the sub-$500 price range. If you enjoy mobile gaming, travel with a laptop, and want multiple screens for work, or want to enjoy private big screen media experiences, consider the Xreal 1S.

The onboard 2D-to-3D conversion is easy to use, and the results are excellent, especially for computing tasks on lightweight glasses.