These XR glasses gave me a 170-inch screen to work with – but it’s killer feature is unexpected

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The new Xreal 1S glasses introduce a few notable upgrades and a launch price that’s $50 less than the Xreal One, which was released in December 2024. 

Compared to its predecessor, the Xreal 1S increases the field of view from 50 to 52 degrees, boosts the resolution from 1080p to 1200p, enhances the aspect ratio from 16:9 to 16:10, and increases available brightness from 500 nits to 700 nits.  

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Xreal also launched the Neo accessory, which serves as a compact 10,000 mAh battery bank, and a DisplayPort video hub. This video hub capability is required to use a Nintendo Switch 1 or 2 with XR glasses, due to Nintendo’s hardware limitation with the USB-C port.

Xreal 1S glasses

I’ve been using the Xreal 1S glasses for the past few weeks during my daily commute, while working with Surface and MacBook Pro computers, and while sitting in chairs at home with my Nintendo Switch. The Xreal 1S is very similar to the Xreal One Pro with the experiences powered by the Xreal X1 spatial computing chip. 

With a $200 savings over the Xreal One Pro, I don’t think many folks will miss out on the difference in field of view and other advanced features. 

Also: These XR glasses gave me a 200-inch screen to watch TV on

Unless there are specific games limited to the Switch 2, buying a pair of the Xreal 1S to complement your existing Switch 1 is likely to provide you with a better mobile gaming experience.

As part of the X1 chip, the Xreal 1S is the first pair of Xreal glasses to support Real 3D. While Viture glasses require you to run the SpaceWalker application and have limited content available for conversion, Xreal provides a 2D-to-3D conversion of any content you like, all powered by the glasses, with no special software or accessory required.

Make one of the quick button options a toggle between 2D and 3D, allowing you to even see something as simple as your phone’s home screen transform into a 3D view. The conversion works well, and it’s fun to enjoy movies and home videos in 3D with a simple button press.

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The Xreal 1S is available in a dark navy blue, with the lower right button colored red to make it stand out as the main control mechanism. Three levels of adjustment are available on the two frame pieces, allowing you to find the optimal angle for your needs. 

There are various nose pieces to find the perfect fit, and overall, the 82-gram glasses are extremely comfortable for long-term use.

The ability to easily enable ultra-wide screen mode on my laptops is key to productivity, and I will not travel without a pair of XR glasses. I also love the 3DoF tracking that lets me watch content and then turn my head to see through the glasses and observe my surroundings.

Also: These XR glasses effectively replaced my dual monitors

The Xreal 1S also supports the Eye camera module accessory that enables 6DoF spatial anchoring and content capturing with virtual environment overlays. The audio sounds good coming from the two downward-facing speakers on the frames, but the volume is a bit low for me while commuting on the train, so external earbuds are needed for a better audio experience in some areas.

Xreal Neo accessory

One limitation of using your smartphone or gaming device with your Xreal 1S glasses is that your battery will be drained as it provides the video content. The new Xreal Neo is a compact 10,000 mAh battery with an integrated USB-C cable to connect your device and charge it up. The Neo features two USB-C ports: one for charging the Neo and the other for connecting your Xreal glasses. 

If you own a Nintendo Switch 1 or 2, then you can use the Neo as both a battery pack and a DisplayPort video hub. It’s easy to carry, measuring 121.3 x 73 x 21.7 mm and weighing just 244 grams. An integrated metal kickstand is located on the back, allowing you to prop it up for easy storage. 

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The front features a powerful magnet that securely attaches the Neo to your smartphone or other device with a magnetic or metal back. The package even comes with two round magnetic stickers; the one for Switch 2 even supports the long rear Switch kickstand.

The Neo charges at a 30W rating and outputs power of up to 20W. When paired with a powerful wall charger you can get up to 45W output from the Neo. 

The Neo also upgrades the Nintendo Switch from 720p to 1200p TV mode, and I can no longer play my Nintendo Switch without a pair of XR glasses. Steam Deck gameplay is also upgraded with faster refresh rates provided by the Neo.

ZDNET’s buying advice

Xreal continues to impress with its AR glasses, and the Xreal 1S sets a new bar for glasses in the sub-$500 price range. If you enjoy mobile gaming, travel with a laptop, and want multiple screens for getting work done, or want to enjoy private big-screen media experiences, consider the Xreal 1S. 

The onboard 2D to 3D conversion is easy to use, and the results are excellent, especially for computing tasks performed on lightweight glasses.

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