Xreal has opened preorders for its Aura smartglasses, the first transparent Android XR device built with Google. The base model costs $1,279, undercutting Meta's VR Glasses by $20, and both devices rely on a wired compute puck powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite chip. Aura runs Android XR with Google Play and Gemini, while Meta's glasses run Horizon OS. All three sources agree on the price and that Aura ships this year, whereas Meta's glasses are not due until spring 2027.
Availability is still constrained. Only customers who already placed paid reservations can preorder now, with general public orders opening "in the coming weeks." Initial shipments go to the US, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, with more regions in 2027. The Verge notes that only the first 2,000 "Founder's Edition" pairs are guaranteed at launch, while Engadget adds that the glasses come in two sizes and use Bose-engineered audio.
Early hands-on impressions differ. WIRED found Meta's glasses more polished for seated content and virtual typing, thanks to precise hand tracking, but said Aura's transparent lenses make it easier to walk around safely. The Verge reports that Aura's 70-degree field of view is large for transparent glasses but still smaller than Meta's passthrough view, and cautions that no clear winner can be declared before full reviews. Engadget, which tested Aura at Google I/O, praised its sharp, bright visuals even in sunny outdoor conditions.