Danny Weber
Pre-order the ROG Xreal R1 gaming AR glasses for $849. Features dual Sony Micro-OLED displays with 240Hz refresh rate, 700 nits brightness, and up to 171-inch virtual screen. Compatible with consoles, PCs, and handhelds.
Asus and Xreal have opened pre-orders for the ROG Xreal R1 gaming AR glasses, which debuted at CES earlier this year. Priced at $849, the device launches initially through Best Buy, with Xreal's own online store starting pre-orders on May 17. It targets gamers looking for a large virtual screen without a TV or monitor.
The standout feature of the ROG Xreal R1 is its dual 0.55-inch Sony Micro-OLED displays, offering up to 700 nits brightness, a 240 Hz refresh rate, and a 0.01 ms response time. That's a significant jump from the 120 Hz common in many current AR glasses. The resulting virtual screen can reach up to 171 inches, with a 57-degree field of view that Xreal says covers most of the user's focused vision.
The spatial capabilities rely on the X1 coprocessor, which debuted in the Xreal One Series. It handles the menu interface, delivers 3 DoF tracking with 6 DoF support, cuts down latency, and minimizes motion blur. However, it remains to be seen how effectively this chip manages the 240 Hz gaming mode, given its original use in 120 Hz Xreal devices.
The ROG Xreal R1 also features electrochromic dimming, replacing the typical plastic shade attachments. Users can select from three levels of tinting. Audio is handled by built-in speakers tuned by Bose, and compatibility is optimized specifically for Asus ROG accessories.
Connectivity to consoles and PCs is handled via the ROG Control Dock, which features DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-A for keyboard and mouse. This dock enables compatibility with PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Without the dock, the ROG Xreal R1 can connect to smartphones and tablets that support DisplayPort over USB-C, and they are fully compatible with the ROG Ally handheld.
The specifications of the ROG Xreal R1 are certainly impressive, but the $849 price tag positions it as a niche product for enthusiasts. To justify the cost, the glasses need to deliver not only buttery-smooth visuals but also genuine comfort and ease of use across PCs, consoles, and handheld gaming devices.
© Xreal