An Affordable Alternative to Vision Pro? Xreal Beam Pro Reviews Are In
Xreal has released an exciting accessory for their AR glasses: the Beam Pro. This device allows for convenient content streaming and augmented reality control. Offering similar functionality to premium headsets at a lower price, the Beam Pro has garnered significant attention. Let’s dive into what the media is saying about this intriguing new device.
Design and Functionality
The Beam Pro resembles a standard Android 14 smartphone. But don't be fooled, this gadget is designed to unlock the potential of your Xreal AR glasses, connecting to the Xreal Air 2 Pro or first-generation Air models via a USB-C cable. As noted by PhoneArena, this setup is considerably more portable and compact than the Apple Vision Pro. The glasses also don’t hinder social interaction like a bulky headset might. This begs the question: why buy a separate Xreal device if you already have a smartphone?
PhoneBuff explains that using a regular smartphone limits software capabilities. With iPhones, the glasses simply mirror the screen, lacking smart features and head tracking. Supported Android models like the S24 Ultra offer the Nebula utility with a comprehensive AR interface. However, this limits users to Xreal’s apps, excluding third-party software. This limitation stems from the need for dedicated hardware to support broader AR integration. Enter the Beam Pro, or as Xreal calls it, a "spatial computing device."
Key Features and Drawbacks
The Beam Pro boasts a 6.5-inch, 90Hz display, a 4300mAh battery, a microSD slot, and dual USB-C ports for simultaneous charging and glasses connection. A dedicated Snapdragon Spatial Companion chip handles processing, while dual cameras spaced 50mm apart provide a depth effect for capturing 3D photos and videos.
Connecting the Beam Pro to Xreal Air glasses activates a visionOS-like system with circular icons. The device also acts as a control hub, using its touchscreen for swipes and typing, and moving the cursor like a laser pointer.
The major advantage? Access to millions of Google Play Store apps in a 3D environment—think Google utilities, streaming services, and more. Some games with complex controls may pose a challenge. The system also supports gaze tracking and multitasking, allowing interaction with two windows simultaneously.
One downside is the 46-degree field of view, which doesn’t encompass the entire visual field. The experience simulates a 201-inch screen positioned six meters away. Another advantage of the Beam Pro is its ability to offload AR processing, preserving the battery life of your primary phone.
Installing software is a breeze, even without taking off the glasses. Everything opens in either landscape or portrait orientation, and windows move freely around the screen. The Action Button toggles between two OS modes: Body Anchor locks an app to a specific point, while Smooth Follow makes the interface follow the user's gaze.
While not offering the full immersion of the Vision Pro, the Beam Pro provides a comfortable see-through experience. The Air 2 Pro model’s micro-OLED displays deliver a sharp 1080p image to each eye. Although sufficiently loud, the built-in stereo speakers are outmatched by the immersive soundscape offered by TWS earphones.
The Beam Pro boasts a battery life of 3.5 hours for video playback and up to 3 hours for streaming and gaming. Overall, reviewers consider this setup, combined with the glasses, as one of the most affordable AR solutions available.
Pricing
Here’s a breakdown of Xreal's pricing:
- Xreal Air: $299
- Xreal Air 2: $449
- Xreal Beam Pro: $199 (6GB/128GB), $249 (8GB/256GB)
