I bought the 'XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses' that you can carry around like sunglasses and watch a screen over 100 inches—it's truly a projector anywhere, and this convenience is amazing!

It has been a while since VR headsets like the 'Meta Quest' and 'Apple Vision Pro' appeared, but the hype has preceded them, and they haven't really become popular among the general public yet.

I also own a 'Meta Quest 2,' and while it is packed with amazing features, it is also true that it requires choosing a time and place to use it.

So, this time, I decided to purchase the 'XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses,' which you can carry around like sunglasses and watch a large screen of up to 330 inches (when used with the Beam).

This is the exterior of the box. It has a stylish design with the XREAL logo.

■ 'XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses' Exterior & Features

This is what it looks like when you open the box. Inside, it contains the 'XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses, Light Shield, Nose Pads (3 types), Prescription Lens Frame, USB-C connection cable, and Instruction Manual (Warranty Card)'.

These are the included 'Nose Pads (3 types) and Prescription Lens Frame.' There are three types of nose pads, and it is best to use the one that fits you. If you need glasses, you must use the prescription lens frame and purchase lenses at a specialty store.

These are the 'XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses and USB-C connection cable.' The USB-C connection cable has a special shape to match the smart glasses, so I want to handle it with care. (There is also information that other USB-C cables cannot be used.)

This is what it looks like from the front. This is with the Light Shield attached. At a glance, it has the atmosphere of 'slightly larger sunglasses,' so it doesn't seem strange to wear it outside. It is a lightweight size at '72g in weight.' The flexible, rubber-made temples (glasses frames) can be 'adjusted in three vertical stages.'

This is what it looks like from the side. 'High-quality speakers are installed on the left and right glasses frames.' Even through the smart glasses, you can have a rich and immersive audio experience. The directional speakers minimize sound leakage and enhance privacy protection.

This is what it looks like from the back. Compared to regular sunglasses, the glasses frames are slightly thicker, but not to a level that is concerning. When using it, you 'insert the USB-C connection cable into the end of the left glasses frame'.

Also, these smart glasses do not have a built-in power supply and 'operate using the connected device's battery.' So, you might need to be a little careful about compatibility (supported models).

A close-up of the right glasses frame. The speakers look small, but since they are close to your ears when you actually wear them, you can 'hear them clearly and loudly.' 'The sound quality also doesn't seem bad,' so it is understandable that they are high-quality speakers.

This is what it looks like from the glasses lens side. 'Lenses for projecting images are mounted on the inside, which makes it possible to use it as a wearable display. It seems to be 10% thinner than the previous model at '19mm' thick.

A close-up of the bottom right glasses frame. It is equipped with 'a multi-function button and brightness adjustment buttons (+/-)' from the front. It is convenient to be able to easily adjust the brightness at hand.

This is the 'USB-C port' located at the tip of the left glasses frame. Use it by inserting the included USB-C connection cable here. 'It seems other USB-C cables do not work well,' so caution is required.

I removed the Light Shield and lined it up with the smart glasses. 'If you remove the Light Shield, you can see your hands,' so you can also play smartphone games, etc. (Although it requires a little getting used to.)

A close-up of the smart glasses. Looking at them like this, they feel almost like regular sunglasses. With this, you wouldn't feel out of place at all wearing them out in daily life.

■ Trying out the smart glasses using an iPhone 16 Pro

Now, let's actually try using the smart glasses with an iPhone 16 Pro. First, plug the USB-C connection cable into the USB-C port at the tip of the left glasses frame.

Next, plug the other end of the USB-C cable into the iPhone 16 Pro's USB-C port. That's all it takes to get ready. The convenience of not needing a separate charger or battery is one of the biggest appeals of the "XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses."

(Image excerpted from Amazon)

When you start it up, the image appears like this. It's hard to take a real photo because the image disappears when you take the smart glasses off, but in reality, it feels like an image over 100 inches in size is spread out a few meters ahead.

With a SONY Micro-OLED panel, 49 PPD, and 1080 FHD, the image is very clear, realistic, and beautiful. (If we're talking about just the image, it might be clearer than the Meta Quest 2.)

The operation is also very comfortable, with no lag at all. You can also see your hands and the smartphone, so once you get used to it, you can enjoy playing games on the big screen just like that.

If you want to enjoy dramas or movies, attaching the light shield makes the surroundings almost completely dark, allowing you to experience even greater immersion.

Also, the sound from the left and right speakers has more presence than I expected, and it's well within the acceptable range for normal use. However, the sound leaks a fair bit if the surroundings are quiet, so you might need to be careful when using them outside.

I also excerpted a video from YouTube. I hope you can at least get a feel for the atmosphere.

■ Trying out the dedicated app "Nebula for Android (Mac)"

There is a dedicated app for XREAL Air called "Nebula for Android (Mac)," so I decided to try installing it on my Android smartphone and Mac.

This is what it looks like when I installed and launched "Nebula for Android" on my Android smartphone. You can choose from modes called "AR Mode" and "Air Casting".

I was able to install the app, but my Android smartphone (Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G) was not compatible with XREAL, so I couldn't use it. Also, it is not currently compatible with iOS, which is a point I would like to see improved.

This is what it looks like when I installed and launched "Nebula for Mac". You can select the display mode you want to show from these three types.

When you click "Start Mirroring", the Mac screen appears on the XREAL Air 2. The screen is clear and easy to see. If you don't have the light shield on, you can see your hands, so it could also be used as an extended display. For those who want to use a Mac while on the go, it should be a reliable ally.

■ Summary of "XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses"

Having used the "XREAL Air 2 AR Smart Glasses" for the first time, I reaffirmed that they are something similar to but different from a VR headset. They are light and easy to handle, so you can easily take them out with you. They look almost like sunglasses, so you don't feel out of place wearing them outside.

As AR smart glasses, the basic purpose is to mirror the screens of devices like iPhones, Androids, and Macs, but the image is more beautiful and clear than I expected, making them perfect for watching videos and playing games.

Also, you can connect it to a Mac and use it as a sub-display, so it is perfect for easy use on the go. It might not be as surprising as a VR headset, but it could be said to be a more practical gadget.

As for the downsides, the dedicated app 'Nebula' is not compatible with iPhone. This is a point I would like to see improved in the future. (There is also information that maintenance has ended.)

With that said, I would like to continue making use of it in various situations. (^_^)v