Xreal is trying something new in the AR space – combining the wide range of apps and content available on Android devices with the portable big screen experience of its AR glasses. The new Xreal Beam Pro, initially announced in China last month, is now going global.
The device looks just like a regular smartphone – and that’s intentional, but it’s not a phone. Its familiar form factor allows even novice users to pick it up and use it without any hassle.
Xerial Beam Pro
The device runs Android 14 with some optimizations to help with its AR functions. It is powered by an unnamed Snapdragon chipset with 6/8GB of RAM and 128/256GB of storage. A microSD slot is available for storing lots of content. The base model has Wi-Fi 6 and there is an optional 5G model – it can’t handle voice calls (it’s not a phone!), but it can stream on the go without the help of a phone.
Why not use your regular smartphone with Xreal Air glasses? You can, but only if you have the right phone for the job. Just having USB-C isn’t enough (and not all iPhones before the 15-series have it), you also need video out support (which many phone makers omit) and a version of Android that knows how to handle a big screen (this is even more rare). With a dedicated device, Xreal can make sure it all works, and works well.
There are two other reasons to choose a dedicated device. The Beam Pro, like the original Beam, has two USB-C ports: one for connection with glasses and the other for external power. It supports 27W fast charging.
Dual USB-C ports • MicroSD slot
The other reason – and this you won’t get from the Asus ROG Phone either – is the pair of 50MP cameras that allow you to capture spatial photos and videos yourself. These are best viewed using glasses like the Air, but you can also enjoy a 2D version on the device’s own screen. No, the screen isn’t autostereoscopic like those old 3D phones.
The screen is a 6.5″ LCD panel (1,080 x 2,000px) and can be used with regular Android apps. When you wear the glasses, it turns into a touch panel to control apps. Additionally, the device can also be used as an air mouse thanks to the built-in accelerometer.
Speaking of apps, the Xreal Beam Pro has access to the Google Play Store and since it runs on Android 14, it is compatible with millions of apps and games. Xreal calls its UI “NebulaOS” and it features multitasking capabilities with the feature of sharing a giant virtual screen with two apps. Most Android distributions don’t have this feature, which was one of the factors that inspired Xreal to create this device.
From the Play Store, you can install video streaming services: Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc. If you have, say, the Xreal Air 2 Pro glasses, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies on a screen with an apparent size of 130” (when you’re done, the glasses and the Beam Pro can easily fit into a backpack).
Xreal Beam Pro can be used for both work and entertainment
Xreal also has plans for gaming applications and the Beam Pro fully supports Steam Link, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and more. Additionally, Nvidia’s CloudXR is supported for users with GeForce RTX GPUs.
As we mentioned, it has to be paired with Xreal glasses and depending on which one you have, you will get a different experience. The Xreal Air, Air 2, and Air 2 Pro can track 3 degrees of freedom (DoF). If you have the Air 2 Ultra glasses, you can enjoy a 6 DoF experience.
The Xreal Beam Pro is surprisingly cheap — $200 for the base 6/128GB Wi-Fi model. That’s at the lower end of mid-range Android phones and not much more than the original Xreal Beam ($110), which has more limited capabilities than the Pro.
If you need more RAM and storage, you can opt for the 8/256GB version. If you need internet connectivity without being tethered to a phone, a 5G model is available. For businesses, Xreal will offer the Beam Pro Enterprise Edition.
Global pre-orders are starting now for the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Czechia, China and Japan, with Korea getting it on July 1. First customers should get it in August. In addition to xreal.com, you’ll also be able to find the Beam Pro on Amazon (starting in July). A note for owners of the original Xreal Beam: you can get a $50 discount when you buy the Pro (valid until July 10).
