Imagine a personal cinema screen that fits in your backpack, or even your pocket. There you go, you have a pretty good idea of the concept behind the XREAL Air 2 Pro smart glasses. I've had these glasses for several months now, accompanied by the famous XREAL Beam Pro case. They follow me everywhere, and not just to watch Netflix in bed (although, let’s admit, that’s already a selling point). Train, plane, and even working on a computer. Can you believe it? I will present them to you in more detail…
Unboxing the XREAL Air 2 Pro
Upon opening, the XREAL Air 2 Pro surprise.
The manufacturer has made every effort to ensure that even the unboxing is a spectacle, with a box that opens like a flower to reveal within it a capsule :p
In reality, this is the protective case for the glasses, which will perfectly do its job during transport.
Regarding the XREAL Air 2 Pro, one expects a massive gadget, a bit “geeky”, like an Oculus headset for example. But no: the pair of glasses looks strikingly like classic sunglasses. The packaging is neat, with a hard case, a bent USB-C cable (well thought out to avoid pulling on the arm), several nasal pads to fit all shapes, and a protective cover to darken the lenses completely if needed.
Featherweight (72 g), adjustable arms, soft pads… you can feel that comfort has been well thought out. Even after several hours, they stay well in place, without slipping or marking the nose.
No built-in battery here: the glasses only work when plugged into a compatible USB-C DisplayPort source (smartphone, PC, portable console, etc.). Nothing autonomous, nothing superfluous: the XREAL Air 2 Pro function as a display, period. But what a display!
Just plug the USB-C cable into one of the arms, and you’re good to go.
For sound, small speakers are integrated into the arms to transmit audio directly in front of the ears, discreetly, avoiding the need for headphones (but it's also possible if desired).
The right arm also has a few buttons for quick controls, notably to darken the glasses or adjust the volume.
Setup and Discovery of the XREAL Air 2 Pro
Getting started is disarmingly simple. It’s as easy as plugging in any screen, in fact. You plug it in, and the image appears. On compatible Android smartphones, the Nebula OS app allows access to advanced functions, such as managing multiple floating windows, adjusting the size and position of the virtual screen, or the “multi-screen” mode on PC/Mac (up to three fixed virtual screens in front of you!).
On Mac, everything works perfectly; on PC, the Nebula OS software is still in beta and can show some limitations, especially regarding fluidity if the setup isn't powerful enough.
In terms of ergonomics, a button allows adjusting the brightness of the display (up to 500 nits as claimed), another adjusts the tint of the lenses thanks to electrochromic technology: three levels of opacity, from nearly transparent to complete darkness. Practical for isolating oneself on a plane, or for remaining a bit aware of the surroundings while watching a series on a train. And for those already wearing glasses, there are adaptable corrective lenses (to be ordered separately, and yes, they are not cheap). But rest assured, most of the time it is possible to wear them while still keeping your own glasses on.
In Use: The Giant Screen, Everywhere, All the Time
Now we get to the heart of the matter. From the first minutes, the magic happens: two micro-OLED Full HD screens (1920 x 1080 pixels per eye, made by Sony), a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, vibrant colors, an abyssal contrast (100,000:1), and an image that remains sharp, without grid effect or visible pixels. You really feel like you have a screen from 130 to 330 inches in front of your eyes, without the slightest bulk. I had tried them out at CES 2024, and the screen quality had blown me away. It's simple, I fell for them as soon as they were officially released on the market :p
Watching movies in bed is royal: no more twisted positions to see the tablet, hello giant screen, no need for headphones thanks to the small speakers integrated into the arms (the sound lacks a bit of bass but remains very decent for a nomadic cinema experience). At night, in bed, I watch a movie without waking my partner, with the sound diffused directly in the arms of the glasses (and if needed, I switch to Bluetooth headphones for more discretion). While traveling, whether in a train or a plane, it’s astonishing: total privacy, guaranteed immersion, and no need to fight for a power outlet. The people around are often surprised, as we simply look like we are wearing sunglasses! On the plane to Vegas, for example, with over 10 hours of flight, I connect the XREAL Air 2 Pro to the Beam Pro, start a series downloaded from Netflix, darken the lenses, and there I am in my bubble, giant screen in front of my eyes, without disturbing anyone (and without draining my phone's battery).
On the productivity front, the ability to display multiple virtual screens with Nebula OS on Mac (and soon on PC, fingers crossed) changes the game: you work on a Google Doc in the center, keep an eye on your emails to the left, and watch a video on the right. All without your neighbor peeking at your screen. While traveling for work, I often use the three virtual screens on my MacBook to write an article, keep an eye on my emails, and consult technical documents, all while remaining discreet in an open space or a coworking space. Or even on the train!
For photographers or videographers, the display is sufficiently faithful for sorting or light editing, although it won't replace a calibrated monitor for fine retouching, of course.
For my part, I particularly appreciate the compatibility with Samsung DeX available on most of the manufacturer's smartphones (including of course my Galaxy S24 Ultra): DeX provides access to a real desktop as if you were on a computer, but directly from the smartphone. Once the XREAL Air 2 Pro are connected, you have a real workspace with just a smartphone and these connected glasses. I love it!
Gaming fan? The XREAL Air 2 Pro also deliver: when plugged into a portable console like Lenovo Legion Go or a PC, you enjoy a fluid image, with no perceptible latency, and an immersion rarely achieved on such a compact device. I tested it on Counter-Strike 2 and EA Sports WRC 23, and it’s a real pleasure.
Beware, not everything is perfect: some will feel a slight sensation of dizziness during very dynamic scenes or quick head movements (less pronounced than with a VR headset, but present). The field of vision remains limited (46°), we are not on an immersion level of Apple’s Vision Pro, but the promise of a giant screen is fulfilled.
For the article, it’s hard to convey the rendering, as everything happens inside the glasses. But the manufacturer’s video illustrates this quite well: and I promise, it’s not just marketing; you really get a virtual giant screen!
XREAL Beam Pro: The Almost Indispensable Companion
If the XREAL Air 2 Pro can stand on their own for many uses (as long as they are connected to a smartphone or a computer), the Beam Pro multiplies their possibilities. This box, which looks like an Android smartphone, acts as a media player, a gyroscopic remote control, an external battery, and above all a 3D camera!
Yes, you can film in stereoscopy thanks to its two 50 MP sensors spaced 50 mm apart, and then relive your memories in 3D directly in the glasses – a guaranteed wow effect.
This 3D camera function of the Beam Pro is frankly fun. I captured some videos in Berlin, in Las Vegas, at Disney in Orlando, and the depth effect when watching them in the glasses is truly impressive (okay, it's not on the level of a professional camera, but for immersive memories, it's great).
It's a shame that compatibility with other 3D formats isn't perfect yet, but you can feel that the potential is there.
The Beam Pro also allows you to “fix” the image in space (anchored mode), or to have it follow your head movements (tracking mode), which is particularly handy for watching a movie without the screen moving when you turn your head.
You navigate through the menus using the touchpad, install your favorite apps (Netflix, YouTube, Plex…), download your content for offline viewing, and enjoy several hours of autonomy thanks to the 4300 mAh battery.
And then, icing on the cake, you no longer immobilize your smartphone to watch a series or work – the Beam Pro manages everything, while the phone remains free and keeps its battery. It has become somewhat of my multimedia hub; I download offline movies and series, even courses, which allows me to watch them comfortably anywhere, with or without a connection.
Conclusion: A Unique Experience, A Taste of the Future
It's hard not to be excited about the XREAL Air 2 Pro. Yes, it's a niche product, but what a niche! For nomads, creators, tech enthusiasts, or simply those who dream of a giant screen everywhere, all the time, the experience is frankly exhilarating. The Beam Pro adds a layer of versatility and autonomy that makes it almost indispensable if you want to fully enjoy the concept.
Not everything is perfect, of course. The price remains high (around €399 to €499 for the glasses alone, depending on promotions, and about €229 for the Beam Pro), which can be off-putting if you don’t have a specific need for a portable screen. The software part, especially Nebula OS on PC, still lacks maturity and stability, particularly on Windows (on Mac, it’s already much more convincing). The built-in sound does the job, but doesn't reach the level of a real audio headset, especially regarding bass. Finally, compatibility with certain smartphones or devices can vary: it’s better to check before purchasing! Other than that, it’s a real pleasure, and for my part, they have accompanied me on all my travels for several months now.
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