Xreal’s been busy at CES this year, with the Xreal 1S glasses becoming the new best AR glasses for most folks — paired with the Neo Hub to become the best way to play Nintendo Switch 2.
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But the company didn’t stop there, as I was blindsided by a collab between Xreal and Asus on the new ROG Xreal R1 AR Glasses.
Not only are they easily the best AR specs for gaming with a 240Hz refresh rate and the same 57-degree field of view (and optics) as the Xreal One Pro, but they also fix three key gripes I’ve had with AR glasses for years.
Steer into the design
There’s a lot of Wayfarer-inspired designs out there that all look a little larger than life to be really subtle.
Asus ROG design has leaned into this and given the R1s a unique aesthetic that looks fresh out of "The Matrix." They're gonna be divisive, but honestly I kind of dig it.
Plus, they’re nice and lightweight on the face, don’t drag the tops of your ears down, and the prisms are placed well for a full view of that 177-inch display without awkwardly moving them around for the right angle.
Built for gaming
Next is that generational leap in optics. On the face of it, they're very similar to the One Pros with a 57-degree field of view, but that’s where the similarities stop. First, there’s that 240Hz refresh rate, which means you could make the most out of those monstrous gaming laptops!
To go even further, Asus is building a dock that can convert HDMI and DisplayPort signals to the USB-C needed for the ROG glasses. Perfect for those who play across console and PC and need to switch between them.
And third, HDR is here. Ever had those moments where you download a HDR show and your laptop will say the content is “not supported” by your screen? Well that’s a thing of the past.
Super thoughtful too
In terms of working as good AR glasses, you’ve got the electrochromic lenses that do a great job at blocking out the peripherals of your surroundings. But on top of that, Asus and Xreal are making the most of that 3DoF tracking by dynamically reducing the electrochromic dimming if you look away.
That means if someone gets your attention, you can look away and see them much more clearly. It’s the smallest thing, but such a thoughtful addition.
Outlook
Let’s be honest, AR glasses can be used for many things. But the main reason you buy a pair is to play games.
The Asus ROG Xreal R1 are undoubtedly the best specs for this purpose — the screen quality is super impressive, the 240Hz refresh rate is oh-so buttery smooth, and the comfortable wearability plus useful features like dynamic electrochromic lenses make them a tasty proposition for the enthusiasts.
Of course, there’s the question of price, which I couldn’t get confirmed. Expect them to be pricey, but if you’re one for hunting down the best picture quality on-the-go, it’s money well-spent.
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