XREAL is set to make waves in the augmented reality market this March with the launch of its Air 2 Ultra glasses, specially designed for developers. Amidst the buzz around the expensive Apple Vision Pro, XREAL positions its Air 2 Ultra as a more affordable and lightweight alternative, challenging Apple’s $3,500 offering.
Design and Features: Breaking the Mold
Continuing the XREAL Air 2 legacy, the new Air 2 Ultra retains a traditional glass form factor, distinguishing itself from bulkier mixed-reality headsets like the Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3. While the field of view (FoV) is limited to 52º, half of what traditional MR headsets offer, XREAL highlights an impressive pixel per degree (PPD) of 42. This surpasses the Quest 3’s PPD of 25 and is expected to outperform the Apple Vision Pro, despite its 23 million pixels.
With a focus on comfort, the XREAL Air 2 Ultra, weighing just 80g, offers a viable option for developers seeking a light device for all-day use. Due to the advanced spatial computing technology inside, it’s slightly heavier than Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses but remains significantly lighter than typical MR headsets.
High-Quality Visuals and Developer-Centric Features
The Air 2 Ultra, priced at $699, maintains the same 500 nits of brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and FHD resolution as the $399 Air 2, with an added 6 degrees of FoV, offering a 154-inch virtual display for an immersive streaming experience. The key upgrades for developers include 3D environment sensors for mapping, hand-tracking, 3D mesh creation, and potential for future AI capabilities.
The device is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac platforms and supports the new spatial video format from the iPhone 15 Pro. This means developers can use the Air 2 Ultra for viewing content filmed with the iPhone 15 Pro, without needing the Apple Vision Pro.
Launch and Pricing: A Competitive Edge
Set to launch in March 2024 for $699, the XREAL Air 2 Ultra stands as a competitively priced option in the AR market, especially compared to Apple’s $3,500 price tag. XREAL’s bold move to challenge Apple in its press release highlights the company’s confidence in its product.
The Air 2 Ultra has garnered excitement, even beyond the developer community. XREAL’s innovation in integrating hand-tracking technology into a portable form factor signals promising advancements in smart glasses, pushing the boundaries of AR technology. For more info visit the XREAL Air 2 Ultra website.
