XREAL a01 glasses offer a portable viewing experience based on a screen in front of the user's eyes, but at the same time reveal the practical questions that still surround consumer-focused extended-reality glasses. The glasses, launched by XREAL in May 2026 at a price of approximately $300, display images well, but they do not work as a standalone device; they must be connected via USB-C to a computer, phone, or handheld gaming device that provides power and content.
Good Image Quality, but the Experience Is Not an Independent Display
The a01 uses two small OLED panels with 1080p resolution and brightness of up to 1,600 nits, delivering vivid colors and an image that feels close to a home-projector experience when the glasses are aimed at a wall. In a dark room, the glasses may provide a more immersive feeling than a small conventional screen, and they are also relatively light and comfortable compared with some other extended-reality glasses.
But these advantages do not eliminate the reliance on an external device. When connected to a laptop to watch a movie, the content continues to appear on the laptop's own screen, while the user also views it inside the glasses. XREAL describes the projection as equivalent to watching a 147-inch screen, but the presence of the original screen a short distance away makes the glasses' purpose less clear in this scenario.
The Mirroring Problem Extends to the Phone
The a01 can be connected to a phone, opening up more suitable uses while traveling by plane or train because the user does not have to carry a laptop. However, the glasses also function here as a display that mirrors the phone's content, meaning the phone's screen must remain active during operation. The phone can be placed in a pocket, but any movement may affect the content's operation or stability.
The limitations increase with differences between ports. The test described in the source used an older iPhone that was not directly compatible with the a01 cable, requiring an additional adapter. Using the glasses while walking also remains impractical because of the difficulty of seeing the surrounding environment, even though the device may be more portable than a computer or conventional projector.
Beam Pro Solves Part of the Problem at an Additional Cost
XREAL offers the separate Beam Pro device, which is similar to a small tablet that can be used as an independent streaming hub. The user can download movies and shows to it and then connect it to the glasses, reducing the need to keep a phone or computer in front of them. But Beam Pro costs an additional $200, raising the total cost of the complete solution to approximately $500 before accounting for any accessories or adapters.
A heat-related issue also appeared during use. The a01 begins to warm up after a short period, with a sensation of heat or tingling on the bridge of the nose and around the eyes. This issue is not exclusive to XREAL, but it remains an important factor in a product worn directly on the face. Comfort and heat are not minor details when a viewing session is lengthy.
What Might Change with Project Aura?
The a01 appears closer to a wearable display than to a fully integrated smart-glasses product. It has no battery or internal processing system and does not offer advanced interactive capabilities such as hand tracking. By contrast, XREAL says that its upcoming Project Aura device will offer a more independent and feature-rich experience. Aura relies on the Android XR system being developed by Google and Samsung, with native support for hand tracking and access to the Google Play Store.
Aura also includes an external module connected to the glasses that serves as a charging source and processing hub, and it can be placed in a pocket. In theory, this means greater freedom of movement than with the a01, which needs to remain connected to another device. However, the source states that Aura had not yet launched, so its promises cannot be evaluated and it is not known whether it will actually address the heat and reliance on another screen issues.
The Practical Verdict
XREAL a01 succeeds in delivering a clear, bright image in a lightweight design, and it may be suitable for gaming on devices such as the Steam Deck or for watching content while traveling when paired with an appropriate content source. But it does not appear to be a convincing replacement for a large home television; a 55-inch television may offer a more comfortable and satisfying viewing experience for movie enthusiasts, even if it is not an advanced model.
The editorial view here is that the a01's value does not lie in making movie watching absolutely better, but in testing a different model for consuming content. The fundamental questions remain tied to independence, comfort, and ease of use: does the user really need a screen in front of their eyes if the source itself is already nearby? And is the additional Beam Pro system worth the cost? Until these questions are answered, the a01 remains an intriguing glimpse into a market that has not yet settled on what consumers want from smart glasses.