Xreal One Pro - Review and Discussion of the Pro Version
XReal is a relatively new company to the XR market, bringing a breath of fresh air to the segment. Unlike heavy and large Mixed Reality goggles such as the Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro, XReal has taken a different path. The result of many compromises is a device that weighs less than 90g, features a micro-OLED screen for displaying content, and looks like ordinary glasses.
The XReal One, despite its name, is not the first product of its kind from XReal. The manufacturer has previously launched several models in the Air series, such as the XReal Air 2 Pro and the XReal Air 2 Ultra, whose reviews you will find on our website. The One model is a new offering from XReal - it offers many familiar features, but enhanced with refreshed and completely new capabilities, which we enthusiastically welcome.
In this review, we will focus exclusively on the XReal One glasses. The 'Pro' version is currently only available for pre-order, with an official release scheduled for early 2025. Nevertheless, we will discuss their specifications, differences and features and compare them to the XReal One.
Key features of XReal One glasses
Series One from XReal is distinguished by several important differences from the Air series. The most important of these is the use of the X1 chip, which is found in the One and One Pro models. Earlier glasses from XReal did not have a built-in processor - this is changing with the launch of the One series. Thanks to the X1 chip, the glasses can operate in 3-DoF (Three Degrees of Freedom) mode without having to be connected to an additional device such as the Beam Pro.
What does this mean in practice? The screen displaying the content will not automatically follow the movements of your head. Instead, it will remain in one position, such as in front of you, while you can rotate your head around it. However, it is worth noting that this is not full 6-DoF tracking - the screen will still move with you if you change your position. This means you can't 'place' the screen in the living room and walk into the kitchen expecting it to stay in place.
The X1 chip further reduces the latency of the content display, which significantly improves the user experience and the quality of the content consumed. Despite the presence of this processor, the glasses still require a connection to an external device such as a phone, Steam Deck or Beam Pro to function. The glasses themselves do not have a built-in battery, and even if they did, the X1 chip is not powerful enough to keep them running in standalone mode.
I had the opportunity to use the XReal Beam Pro in combination with the glasses Air 2 Pro and Ultra, and so I have been exposed to the 3-DoF mode before. However, I have to say that the X1 processor really makes a difference. Latency and lag have been significantly reduced, which makes using 3-DoF much more enjoyable now.
Also worth mentioning are the improvements to the optical system. All XReal glasses use so-called 'birdbath' lenses, which are extremely effective in delivering high image quality, high brightness and a relatively wide field of view for AR glasses, all at a low price point. However, achieving these results involved a trade-off in terms of increasing the size of the glasses. If you look closely, you will notice the characteristic thickening and the lenses just in front of the wearer's eyes. With the XReal One, however, it has been possible to reduce this optical system and at the same time increase the field of vision. The XReal One eyewear offers a 50-degree field of view, while the XReal Air series provided 48 degrees.
In addition, the screens have become even brighter, now offering 600 nits, making them more effective for daytime use. The sound quality has also been improved, causing me to occasionally forgo plugging in my own headphones when using the glasses.
XReal One vs. XReal One Pro - which glasses should I choose?
There are several differences between the two models, although they are essentially two versions of the same glasses equipped with the X1 processor. The biggest and most noticeable difference, however, is the optical system. The XReal One Pro uses an even more advanced version of Birdbath technology. By making the lenses even smaller, the glasses fit more snugly to the face for greater comfort.
The most important change, however, is in the field of view (FOV), which is up to 57 degrees on the One Pro, compared to 50 degrees on the XReal One. This is almost borderline 60 degrees, making these glasses one of the best on the market in terms of field-of-view width in this device category.
The upgraded optical system has also increased brightness, with the One Pro model offering up to 700 nits, while the XReal One provides 600 nits. Another major difference is that the One Pro model can be selected in two pupil spacing (IPD) options: 57-66 mm and 66-75 mm, allowing the glasses to be better suited to the individual user's needs.
It is worth noting, however, that the XReal One Pro is only available for pre-order, with an official release scheduled for early 2025. So I can't fully judge the changes to the optics from my own experience, but the difference between a 50 and 57 degree field of view will certainly be noticeable. This will make it possible to watch movies on a larger screen, as well as to use the multitasking function more widely.
So if you're looking to get the most out of these features in your glasses from XReal, the One Pro model could be the right choice.
