Audio-only glasses are impressive, but incorporating a display elevates the experience significantly.
Google I/O is in full swing, and after an exhilarating keynote, I had the opportunity to test some upcoming Android XR glasses and prototypes. Samsung and Xreal appear to be among the most committed players in this domain, and I experimented with both Xreal’s glasses and the latest prototype from Google, clearly influencing Samsung’s designs, showing how Android XR will integrate various eyewear.
Samsung intended to unveil Android XR hardware last year with the Galaxy XR, but that device was cumbersome and not practical for daily use. This time, they’re concentrating on sleeker glasses suitable for regular wear. These are what I got to experience, and though I look forward to the arrival of audio-only glasses, I am particularly enthusiastic about what Samsung and Xreal are developing regarding display glasses.
Xreal is exceptional
The first demo was arguably the most fascinating. Xreal showcased its Project Aura glasses last year, and I had the chance to try them out before their release later this year. These glasses feature dual OLED displays situated behind the lenses, one for each eye.
If you’re acquainted with Xreal products, the design will likely not surprise you. They are sturdy glasses positioned slightly away from your face to accommodate the displays. From an external viewpoint, I’m not overly fond of the design, but once they are on, the difference isn’t noticeable.
The Project Aura glasses come equipped with two side cameras for tracking and perception, while the center camera is used for capturing photos and videos. A single stem houses all the controls: volume button, Home/Gemini, and a dimming button to adjust the electrochromic lens dimming.
A separate puck connects to the glasses, containing the battery and processing unit (powered by Snapdragon). I couldn’t gather detailed battery life stats, but you could likely enjoy a complete movie while wearing them.
The puck also includes a touch panel to manage the glasses, which I found to be quite clever. True to Xreal’s philosophy, you can connect other devices, like laptops and phones, to display your apps and windows.
So, how was the glasses experience? Quite impressive! The visuals exceeded my expectations; text was clear, colors were vibrant, and the responsiveness was exceptional. Besides using the puck, you can control the glasses with gestures, similar to the Galaxy XR. A pinch and drag lets you select, move, and resize items.
Navigating the Android XR UI felt natural and reminded me of the Quest 3, allowing me to get accustomed to it swiftly, swiping through and resizing applications.
I first accessed a trailer for the Spider-Man 2 video game, and initially, the video seemed slightly washed out, which concerned me. However, after adjusting the electrochromic dimming, which has five levels, the video became incredibly sharp and vibrant, akin to watching it on an OLED display. I was genuinely astonished at the quality, and it maintained its position against a wall as I shifted around.
Next, I experimented with an app developed for the glasses using Antigravity. Essentially, I utilized my hands to paint shapes in a 3D environment by pinching my fingers. I could change the “paint” colors and modify the thickness by twisting my wrist. Once again, it stayed put as I navigated the space. I confess, this left me quite impressed.
Xreal describes Project Aura as an intermediate device that combines the power and functionality of the Galaxy XR (hence the external power puck) while adopting a more compact design similar to the Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses. Although I never tried the Galaxy XR, I found myself more excited about display glasses than ever before.
Advocating for monocular display glasses
I also had the chance to test Google’s prototype monocular display glasses, referenced for Samsung’s upcoming model. This wasn’t my first experience, but I got to explore some new features this time. For instance, there are new widgets accessible that you can scroll through by swiping on the touch panel.
One widget is the Translate option, which I activated with a tap to translate spoken Korean into English for me. Even as the speaker paused, the glasses continually translated, showcasing a small yet highly useful feature.
Moreover, I utilized Nano Banana on the glasses—which seems a bit unconventional on eyewear—but given their visual capabilities, it makes sense. I managed to capture a photo of myself with