At the Android Dev Summit on October 28, 2026, Xreal introduced the Xreal Aura, a wired smart glasses headset that runs on Google's Android XR platform and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite chip. The device had been previewed earlier in the year and is part of Google’s strategy to expand extended reality (XR) hardware through partnerships with companies like Samsung and Xreal itself. Unlike fully standalone headsets, the Aura relies on a tethered device for processing while projecting the display into the user's field of vision, with a design that compares more closely to Meta’s compact smart glasses than to larger headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro.

The Xreal Aura features Sony’s Micro-OLED screen, delivering a 1200p resolution at 120 Hz and a wide 95-degree field of view, which technically exceeds the capabilities of Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta Display. However, its headset weighs 95 grams, heavier than Meta’s 69 grams, and it requires users to carry a separate "puck" for computing power. At launch, the system supports various XR-focused applications and games, including the NBA App for Android XR, Fallout: Factions, and unique experiences like the San Francisco Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” The headset can also connect directly to PCs or gaming consoles via USB-C to act as an extended augmented display.

Audio capabilities on the Aura are powered by Bose technology, enhancing immersive media consumption for videos and music. Users benefit from the integration of Gemini, a Q&A virtual assistant that helps interpret on-screen content within the XR environment. The device is available for pre-order in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and South Korea, with a 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model priced at $1,279 (launch price $1,099 until December) and a higher-end 16GB/512GB version costing $1,499 (launch price $1,299 through December). Shipments are set to begin around mid-November.

Xreal’s CEO Chi Xu acknowledged the challenges of building a profitable smart glasses business but expressed optimism about the current market potential as the hardware, software, and user experience have aligned favorably. Xu believes that these elements combined mark an important turning point for achieving broader adoption. The Xreal Aura’s diverse use cases—from entertainment to productivity—highlight the company’s aim to capitalize on this inflection moment by delivering a comprehensive, developer-supported smart glasses solution powered by Android XR.