Xreal Aura Launches Mid-November at $1,099 With Android XR

Xreal Aura, the Android XR device built by Xreal together with Google, arrives in mid-November, and preorders open today. The glasses connect to a processor puck and deliver VR-like experiences in a far lighter form than a traditional headset.

The device was previously announced at $1,279. For early orders it now costs $1,099 for the version with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. The 512GB/16GB model is $1,299 instead of the earlier $1,500. Those prices apply through the end of this year.

What the Aura does

Aura runs Android XR and handles any Android app, either in 2D or in 3D, VR-like modes. It can also use the apps available on the pricier Samsung Galaxy XR, released last year. Hand tracking is included, and the glasses pair with keyboards and game controllers.

Like the upcoming Meta VR Glasses, Aura can also plug into a phone, laptop or any USB-C video-out device. The picture then appears either as a floating display in the Aura desktop or on the glasses alone, detached from the puck.

The 70-degree field of view microOLED displays float over transparent lenses with varying degrees of electrochromic dimming. That makes the glasses easier to wear outdoors than a VR headset, though they are not true standalone AR glasses.

A laptop replacement?

Xreal founder and CEO Chi Xu has pursued AR glasses for years. "We ultimately think this can be a tablet or laptop replacement," he said of tethered devices like Aura, which differ from wireless smart glasses made by Meta, Google and others. He also expects Gemini, connected to the camera and display, to enable ideas not seen before, and called Aura a potential "pivoting step" toward lightweight, AI-integrated hardware.

The work angle is supported by accessories: a folding keyboard is available, and the processor puck doubles as a trackpad. Outdoor AR and AI experiences via Gemini are also possible, similar to what Snap's Specs, due later this year, aim to offer.