These XREAL One glasses project a massive screen directly in front of your face, suitable for productivity, handheld consoles, or even your phone. After using them for about 10 days, this review will cover everything from the screen quality to whether they replace VR/AI glasses, or just become an expensive dust collector.
Why I Bought Them
I was looking for a bigger screen solution, as I currently use three different monitors. When XREAL launched these at CES, I was eager to try the ultra-wide setting, hoping it would replace my multi-monitor setup. I immediately searched for them in Bangkok, eventually finding the last available pair in all of Thailand.
Ease of Use
One of the best features is the simplicity. You just plug the USB-C cable into the glasses and your device, and within seconds, you have a giant screen. It’s truly Plug and Play, with no complex menus or setup required. The internal menu is accessed by double-clicking a button and is surprisingly intuitive, even for first-time users.
Screen Quality
Clarity and Detail
Upon first use, I was impressed by the screen's clarity. I couldn't discern individual pixels; it felt like a high-quality monitor or laptop screen, but much larger.
Screen Size and Modes
You can adjust the screen size, from small to theater-sized. I prefer keeping it smaller, around 2 meters away at 61 inches.
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Standard Mode: Ideal for gaming with my Steam Deck.
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Ultra-Wide Mode: Perfect for productivity, offering expansive control over multiple windows.
The ultra-wide mode feels like having a massive screen surrounding you, accessible by simply moving your head. These glasses have a 50-inch field of view. The upcoming pro version offers a 57-inch field of view.
Screen Positioning and Transparency
The screen can be fixed in place or set to follow your head movements. The "side view" toggle allows you to multitask, like watching YouTube while cooking. With transparency mode on, you can even walk around outside with a video playing on the side.
Screen Imperfections
The center of the screen is slightly clearer and more detailed than the edges. Proper nose placement is crucial for optimal focus.
Comfort
The XREAL One glasses weigh 80-84 grams, a significant improvement in comfort compared to the Quest 2. I used them for 10 hours straight for both productivity and gaming.
Comfort Issues
The nose clips tend to slide down my nose, requiring readjustment every 30-60 minutes. This is my biggest annoyance with the glasses.
Eye Strain
With normal use, I don't experience eye strain. However, prolonged use late at night can cause eye fatigue. Using the transparency setting and a soft background light can alleviate this.
Style
The style is rated around a 6/10. While not as stylish as Ray-Bans, they're more socially acceptable than VR headsets like the Apple Vision Pro. The private screen and ability to see your surroundings are added benefits. You can see your keyboard and phone without taking them off.
Transparency Modes
There are three transparency modes: completely black, completely transparent, and a button to turn off the screen entirely. This allows you to easily interact with people without removing the glasses.
Build Quality
The glasses feel premium and rigid, not flimsy. The angle of the back can be adjusted for comfort and focus. The heat escapes from the top, which might be a problem in hot environments.
Audio Quality
The audio, tuned by Bow, comes directly from the corners of the glasses, shooting into your ears.
Volume
The volume is loud enough for indoor use, but not ideal for noisy environments like the Bangkok Sky Train.
Open Air Solution
It’s an open-air solution. The audio quality is good enough to forego using Airpods in quiet environments, but it isn't as great as Airpods Pro.
Key Considerations
XREAL One Pro
The XREAL One Pro, coming soon, features:
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A different prism technology.
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A 57-inch field of view.
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A slightly more stylish design.
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A $100 price increase.
Future Camera and Hand Tracking
A future camera attachment may enable:
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Video and image capture.
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Hand tracking for intuitive control without a keyboard or mouse.
VR and AI Glasses Replacement?
These glasses are not a VR headset replacement for immersive gaming experiences. However, they are better for productivity than VR headsets. They also don't have a built-in LLM, but the automatic translation feature is well realized. I prefer these over AI glasses or VR glasses because all I want is a big, ultrawide screen that can follow my head.
Final Thoughts
I'm extremely happy with my purchase and plan to continue using them for work and gaming. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking a portable, high-quality screen solution.
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