CES 2026: I attempted Xreal’s unreleased ROG R1 gaming glasses

Xreal, the augmented actuality model behind a number of the main good glasses, is coping with lots of new competitors at CES 2026. Smart glasses have been an enormous draw among the many throngs of attendees on CES’ packed conference ground this 12 months, and I’ve in all probability tried on 12 totally different good glasses since arriving in Las Vegas. Earlier on the occasion, I used to be impressed by the TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro (particularly by its value).

So, how does Xreal reply to a extra crowded enjoying discipline? By bringing out the massive weapons.

Xreal debuted two new pairs of AR glasses for CES 2026: the Xreal 1S and the ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses. The Xreal 1S affords some essential upgrades over its predecessor, to not point out a value drop to $449. Meanwhile, the corporate claims its upcoming ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses are the world’s first-ever micro-LED good glasses with a 240 Hz refresh fee (even the Apple Vision Pro cannot do this). You should buy the Xreal 1S now, however the brand new ROG glasses received’t arrive till later this 12 months, and certain with a hefty price ticket.

On high of that, Xreal has a brand new innovation on show at CES — instantaneous 3D conversion. Xreal calls it Real 3D, and it is obtainable now on each the 1S and present Xreal One Pro glasses as a free over-the-air replace. This setting immediately transforms your show, photographs, movies, video games, and leisure content material from 2D to 3D, and it’s a rattling neat trick. 

I’ve at all times been clear about the truth that I’m extraordinarily skeptical of good glasses, particularly if they’ve onboard cameras. Xreal good glasses had been the primary to make me say, “Okay, I get it. That’s actually really cool.” The firm’s spatial computing glasses mission an enormous display into the atmosphere round you, which mirrors your smartphone, pill, or laptop computer show. So, should you’re working in a espresso store or on an airplane, meaning you’ll be able to immediately see a large display floating within the air in entrance of you, whereas built-in Bose audio system present audio.

I attempted the ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses at CES

I acquired to attempt the unreleased R1 glasses throughout a demo at CES, tethered to the brand new ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld. This included utilizing them to play Elden Ring whereas they had been linked to a gaming PC. The outcomes blew me away. As I’m fond of claiming, they made me really feel like I’m dwelling sooner or later. They supplied a kind of uncommon “holy shit” moments, which is strictly what I’m on the lookout for at CES.

The R1 show is mighty spectacular, and the refresh fee was equally so. As beforehand talked about, even the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro maxes out at 120 Hz, and whereas watching some motion pictures on the Vision Pro, I didn’t really feel prefer it was constantly reaching that fee. That wasn’t the case with the R1. The graphics had been spectacular, with robust coloration and readability that in comparison with the close by show. They aren’t overly heavy in your face both, although I didn’t get to put on them for very lengthy.

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Unlike Xreal’s different glasses, the R1 do not simply tether on to your system. They additionally plug into an included dock, which sits in your desk and permits you to connect with a number of kinds of gadgets. This would make the R1 barely much less cell; nonetheless, the dock is pretty compact, and you’ll at all times plug in on to a gaming handheld.

Here’s what avid gamers will get with the R1:

• Display: 240Hz 1080p micro-OLED panels

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080

• Display measurement: 171-inch show from 4 meters away

• Field of view: 57 levels

• Weight: 91 grams

• Sound by Bose

• Electrochromic lenses

• Includes the ROG Control Dock

• Connectivity: PCs, consoles, handhelds, Android, and iOS by way of USB-C

The Real 3D conversion function works immediately

With Apple’s Vision Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy XR, customers can remodel their photographs and movies into 3D content material. This spatialization has been an enormous promoting level with these futuristic headsets. However, this course of at all times takes a number of seconds, and it may be hit and miss.

However, Xreal’s 3D conversion function is not like something I’ve tried earlier than. With this setting turned on, each a part of your digital show is immediately reworked from 2D to 3D. The app icons on my iPhone show popped off the display. Desktop backgrounds out of the blue grew to become three-dimensional. It even works on video content material. I pulled up some latest 4K movies I shot throughout a Gwen Stefani efficiency at The Sphere, and the Xreal One Pro immediately turned them into surprisingly sensible 3D movies.

I do not love the advertising and marketing picture for the Real 3D function, which does not fairly seize what the expertise is like. It’s loads trippier — in a great way.

These kinds of 3D conversions are by no means good, however I used to be impressed by how realistically it rendered 3D content material — and the way rapidly. Real 3D will be activated with the push of a button, and the impact is instantaneous, so far as I may inform. Per Xreal, “it’s all powered natively by the X1 spatial computing chip.”

Even cooler is that this function is on the market free of charge to present Xreal glasses. It’s obtainable as an over-the-air software program replace, and I’m excited to maintain enjoying round with it at residence. (Head to the Xreal website to access the update.)

Likewise, when CES is over, I’m excited to attempt the brand new Xreal 1S glasses and pit them in opposition to newcomers from TCL and different manufacturers. Xreal might not have the bottom costs, however that is not the aim.

During my demo, an Xreal consultant instructed me they’re not attempting to compete on value, however on high quality. And based mostly on the model’s CES choices, they’re nonetheless a number of steps forward of the competitors.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the newest information and stay updates from the most important present in tech, the place Mashable journalists are reporting stay.