Google and Xreal launched the Aura smart glasses at a base price of $1,099, undercutting Meta’s rival device ahead of mid-November shipments. The 95-gram, wired wearable runs Android XR, features dual Sony Micro-OLED displays, and integrates Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite platform alongside Gemini AI support.
Originally pegged at $1,279 for preorders last month, the Xreal Aura debuted at $1,099 through the end of the year for its base 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration. That price lands well below Meta’s upcoming $1,299 hardware.
Xreal general manager Ralph Jodice confirmed to the media that customers who already preordered at the steeper original rate will receive an automatic and instant refund for the difference. Xreal spokesperson Ralph Jodice spoke about the pricing change. The higher-tier 16GB RAM and 512GB storage model also saw a reduction, dropping from $1,499 down to a promotional price of $1,299 through December.
Chi Xu, co-founder of XREAL, stated in a press release that the company is proud to unlock new ways for people to work, watch, play, and build with the new hardware. CEO of XREAL Chi Xu also made this statement.
Building The 95-Gram Hardware Design
Achieving a weight of under 95 grams required shifting the heavy processing away from the frame itself. The glasses connect via a cable to a portable compute puck that houses both the battery and Qualcomm’s newly debuted Snapdragon Reality Elite platform.
Beyond supplying power, that external puck doubles as a trackpad and includes a built-in fingerprint sensor. The visual architecture relies on dual Sony Micro-OLED screens delivering a 1200p resolution per eye, a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1,050 nits of peak brightness, and a 70-degree field of view.
To manage external light, the hardware incorporates electrochromic dimming offering five transparency levels. Bose handled the tuning for the built-in open-ear audio system, while four onboard microphones handle voice inputs alongside hand gestures, keyboards, and trackpads. Users can also utilize three different nose pad sizes and custom prescription lenses tailored for nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Android XR and Gemini AI power the wearable
Powered by the co-developed Android XR operating system, the wearable pulls in standard Google Play applications alongside an initial library of more than 150 dedicated experiences. Users can arrange multiple windows across an unbounded virtual canvas while maintaining a clear view of their physical surroundings.
Google’s Gemini chatbot operates across everything in view, processing both real-world surroundings and active application windows. Share your view, and Gemini can highlight what to focus on, in the room around you or on your screen,
Google noted in its system announcements regarding the contextual AI capabilities.
For productivity and entertainment, users can plug laptops or gaming handhelds directly into the USB-C puck for wired screen mirroring alongside native apps.
Preorders open in US, Canada and South Korea
Preorders opened in the United States, Canada, and South Korea for buyers aged 18 and older. Retail channels include the Xreal online store alongside Best Buy locations in the U.S.
Japan follows with a launch on November 2, and physical shipments are scheduled to begin arriving in mid-November. Retail distribution is slated to expand next year.
Answering Questions About The Xreal Aura
What are the storage and memory configurations available?
The device is offered in two variants: a 12GB RAM model paired with 256GB of storage, and a higher-tier 16GB RAM model featuring 512GB of storage. Both configurations qualify for promotional pricing through the end of December.
How do users control the interface and apps?
Navigation supports hand gestures, voice commands, and the touchpad integrated directly into the compute puck. Users can also connect external Bluetooth keyboards and mice or plug in a game controller.
When will orders ship to early buyers?
Deliveries for initial orders placed in launch regions are scheduled to begin dispatching in the middle of November.