Xreal opens pre-orders for $1,279 Google-backed Aura XR glasses
Xreal has started taking pre-orders for the Aura, a transparent-lens XR headset built with Google on Android XR, priced at $1,279 for a 12GB/256GB model and $1,499 for a 16GB/512GB version. The device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon Reality Elite chip housed in a separate compute puck, and relies on a touchpad plus hand-tracking rather than eye tracking for navigation.
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The pricing puts the Aura just under Meta's newly announced $1,299 VR Glasses, setting up a direct comparison between two lightweight, puck-tethered mixed reality devices launched within weeks of each other. The two products take different technical approaches—transparent optics versus passthrough video—which could appeal to different use cases, though it remains unclear which design consumers will prefer at this price point.
- Xreal Aura pre-orders start at $1,279 for 12GB/256GB, with a 16GB/512GB option at $1,499.
- The Aura uses transparent lenses with a 70-degree field of view, while Meta's VR Glasses use passthrough video for a different immersion style.
- Both devices run on Snapdragon Reality Elite chips in external compute pucks, but differ in input methods—Aura uses touchpad and hand-tracking, Meta uses eye tracking.
Xreal Beam Pro compute puck accessory — If you're intrigued by the new Xreal Aura glasses, the Xreal Beam Pro is a great way to get familiar with Xreal's AR ecosystem and compute puck approach before committing to the pricier headset. It's a practical companion device for streaming content and controlling compatible Xreal glasses on the go.
See Xreal Beam Pro compute puck accessory on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Sean Hollister, 2026-10-07
Published there as: “At $1,279, Google’s Xreal Aura will go head-to-head with Meta’s VR Glasses”
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