What Are the Xreal 1S AR Glasses?
Imagine a 500-inch screen hanging in the air, no wall or projector needed. That’s the idea behind the Xreal 1S, the latest pair of AR glasses from Xreal. Announced recently and covered by Notebookcheck, the 1S builds on the foundation of the Xreal One but adds a wider field of view and a brand-new trick: real-time 2D-to-3D conversion.
Inside, it’s still a portable entertainment and gaming device that beams a virtual display in front of your eyes. The glasses connect over USB-C, pulling power and video from a phone, laptop, or console. A lightweight design and spatial audio round out the package, positioning the 1S as a step up from the company’s existing lineup without reinventing the wheel.
Key Features and Specifications of the Xreal 1S
A handful of upgrades separate the Xreal 1S from its non-S sibling. The most visible changes are the display size, brightness bump, and that 3D conversion capability. But the core experience remains familiar: a crisp, oversized virtual screen that follows your head movements.
500-inch Virtual Screen and 52° FOV
The 500-inch figure is a perception trick. The Xreal 1S uses Micro OLED panels and optics to project an image that, at a set distance, looks as large as a 500-inch diagonal display. It’s not a physical screen, but the effect can feel remarkably expansive in a dark room or on a plane.
The field of view widens to 52°, a small but noticeable bump from the 50° on the non-S Xreal One. That extra width doesn’t transform the experience, but it does reduce the feeling of looking through a narrow window. The per-eye resolution is 1200p, and the refresh rate hits 120 Hz, which keeps motion smooth whether you’re scrolling through spreadsheets or dodging enemies in a game.
Real-Time 2D-to-3D Conversion
A standout addition is the ability to convert any 2D video into 3D on the fly. The Xreal 1S uses the same X1 SoC found in the Xreal One, but here it runs a software layer that reinterprets flat footage. You don’t need special 3D content; the glasses do the work.
How convincing the depth effect is remains to be seen, and the Notebookcheck report doesn’t dive into quality. Still, the feature opens up possibilities for older movies and YouTube clips. It’s a clever differentiator, especially for a pair of glasses that already leans into immersive media consumption.
Display Quality and Audio
Brightness climbs to 700 nits, up from 600 nits on the non-S model. Combined with 108% sRGB color coverage, the image stays vivid even in moderately lit rooms. The 3DoF tracking anchors the virtual screen in place, so you can glance around naturally without the display following your eyes.
On the audio side, Spatial Sound 4.0 creates a wide soundstage, and the open-ear design means you stay aware of your surroundings. That’s a double-edged sword: the system doesn’t block noise the way ANC earbuds do. For phone calls, ENC uplink noise cancelling helps cut background chatter, but don’t expect silence in a coffee shop.
Design, Comfort, and Connectivity
At 82 grams, the Xreal 1S is heavier than the Xreal One. The extra weight might be noticeable during long sessions, though the design tweaks the weight distribution to reduce the ear-drag sensation that plagues some AR glasses. A single USB-C cable handles video and power, which keeps the tether simple.
Switching between devices can be a hassle, but Xreal offers the Neo Hub as a separate accessory to juggle multiple inputs. The glasses also pack an ENC uplink for clearer calls, a small but practical touch for anyone who plans to use them as a headset.
How Does the Xreal 1S Compare to Other AR Glasses?
The Xreal 1S slots into a growing field of consumer AR glasses. The table below lines it up against the non-S Xreal One, the Xreal One Pro, and the Asus ROG Xreal R1, all of which target slightly different niches.
| Product | FOV | Brightness | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xreal 1S | 52° | 700 nits | Real-time 2D-to-3D conversion |
| Xreal One (non-S) | 50° | 600 nits | 3DoF tracking & X1 SoC |
| Xreal One Pro | 57° | — | Frame generation technology |
| Asus ROG Xreal R1 | 57° | — | Gaming-optimized design; praised by Tom’s Guide |
The FOV differences are modest but meaningful. The 57° on the One Pro and ROG R1 feels more cinematic, while the 1S sits in the middle. Brightness is a clear win for the 1S over the base model, though the other two don’t have official numbers yet. As for the Asus ROG R1, Tom’s Guide’s hands-on said it “outclassed everything else” they’d used, but that verdict focuses on gaming performance and build, not necessarily the display specs alone.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
Newly announced gear often looks great on paper, but a few practical concerns are already visible. The Japan price of JPY 67,980 (roughly $450 USD) puts the Xreal 1S in enthusiast territory, and international pricing is expected to be higher. The open-ear audio, while spacious, won’t isolate you from a noisy environment.
Comfort is another unknown. No hands-on reports exist yet for the 1S, but similar designs have sometimes caused ear fatigue. The glasses don’t support HDR on every screen, and switching between a console and PC can still be fiddly without the Neo Hub. These aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re worth keeping in mind until more detailed reviews arrive.
Practical Use Cases and First Impressions
Think of the Xreal 1S as a portable monitor that lives in your bag. It suits gaming sessions on a plane, movie marathons in a hotel room, or even a second screen for a laptop in a coffee shop. The 120 Hz refresh rate and 1200p resolution make it viable for fast-paced games, though the 3D conversion might be more of a novelty for films.
The glasses work with any USB-C device that outputs video, including the Nintendo Switch 2 and most modern laptops. That plug-and-play simplicity is a strong selling point. Still, Tom’s Guide noted that even the well-regarded ROG R1 wasn’t quite a monitor replacement, and the same is likely true here: the virtual screen is huge, but it’s not a pixel-for-pixel stand-in for a desktop display.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Xreal 1S
What is the price of the Xreal 1S?
The Xreal 1S is priced at JPY 67,980 in Japan, which converts to roughly $450 USD. International pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but it’s expected to be higher than the non-S Xreal One’s $399 Amazon price.
Does the Xreal 1S support 3D content?
Yes, it converts any 2D video to 3D in real time using the built-in X1 SoC. The feature works with existing content, so you don’t need to hunt for native 3D files.
What devices is the Xreal 1S compatible with?
It works with devices that output video over USB-C, including PCs, smartphones, and gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2. The optional Neo Hub lets you switch between multiple inputs.
How does the Xreal 1S handle audio?
It uses Spatial Sound 4.0 for a wide, open-ear audio experience. ENC uplink noise cancelling cleans up your voice on calls, but the design doesn’t block ambient noise like in-ear ANC earbuds.