TechCrunch reviews XREAL a01 glasses for watching movies

XREAL a01 smart glasses provide a bright image for watching video, but their format has significant limitations compared with a regular TV or monitor. This is stated in a TechCrunch review, whose author tested the device while watching a movie on a laptop.

The a01 model, released in May, is positioned primarily for gaming: it can be connected to Steam Deck and other portable gaming devices. At the same time, XREAL advertises the glasses as a way to watch movies and series. The device is priced at approximately $300.

A screen in glasses format

XREAL a01 effectively function as an external display and do not have their own battery or internal power mechanism. The glasses are connected via a USB-C cable to a laptop, phone, or another compatible device, from which they receive power.

The model is equipped with two mini OLED panels with 1080p resolution and brightness of up to 1,600 nits. According to the review’s author, the image has rich colors and looks especially good in a dark room. XREAL says the projection in the glasses is equivalent to watching content on a 147-inch screen.

Connection limitations

At the same time, the glasses mirror the screen of the connected device. When used with a laptop, video plays simultaneously on the computer display, which the review’s author considers unnecessary duplication. It is also difficult to work on a laptop while watching the projection in the glasses, because it is hard to see anything other than the image they display.

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Connecting to a phone provides more mobility, including while traveling by plane or train. But the smartphone screen must remain on, because the a01 also only mirror its image. The author noted that an adapter would be needed for his older iPhone because of incompatible connectors.

The glasses can be connected to Beam Pro, a separate compact device that can serve as a standalone hub for streaming. Movies and series can be downloaded to it, after which the device is connected to the glasses. Beam Pro costs an additional $200.

Heating and Project Aura

During testing, the a01 began to heat up, causing an unusual tingling sensation on the bridge of the nose and above the eyes. At the same time, the author described the device as relatively light and comfortable compared with other smart glasses he had tested.

XREAL is also preparing to release Project Aura on the Android XR platform developed by Google and Samsung. According to TechCrunch’s description, the new model will have built-in hand-motion tracking, access to the Google Play Store, and a connected module that will serve as a power source and computing hub. In the author’s view, this design should provide users with greater mobility than the a01.