In an experience article, TechCrunch stated that the smart glasses a01 released by XREAL in May this year, although they can provide a brighter display and a certain sense of immersion, are not yet mature enough to be used as a daily viewing device. This also reflects that XR's hardware is still looking for more stable consumer scenarios.

The visuals are good, but the logic is not coherent.

The positioning of a01 is not complicated; it is more akin to a wearable external screen, rather than AR glasses that possess complete computing capabilities. The device itself does not have a battery and needs to be connected to a laptop, smartphone, or handheld device through USB-C to be powered by an external source.

From the perspective of display effects, this product is not bad at all. The article mentions that a01 is equipped with dual mini OLED panels, with a resolution of 1080p and a maximum brightness of up to 1600 nits, providing quite vivid color performance. When used in low-light environments, it indeed offers a stronger sense of immersion than ordinary laptops.

But the problem is also quite straightforward. Since a01 mainly relies on screen mirroring, users often end up looking at a large virtual screen in front of them, while a computer or mobile phone nearby is simultaneously playing the same content. This raises the unavoidable question: “Why not just look at the original screen?”

Limited use for the second screen

XREAL describes a01 as a "second monitor" or "wearable monitor," but the article argues that this positioning still has limitations in practical use. After wearing it, it is difficult for users to clearly view the physical screen outside of the glasses at the same time, making it not easy to operate a computer while wearing the glasses.

After connecting to a mobile phone, the mobility is greater than when connected to a laptop, which theoretically makes it more suitable for watching videos on flights, trains, and other such scenarios. However, a01 is still just an image display device; the mobile phone screen needs to remain on continuously, so the issue of redundancy has not really been resolved.

• a01 Price is approximately $300.
• Beam Pro Additional selling price of about $200
• Mainly connects laptops, smartphones, and handheld devices.

Fever remains the main weakness.

The article also mentions that after using a01 for a period of time, it will become noticeably hot, with a sensation of warmth appearing on the bridge of the nose and around the eyes. This is not a problem unique to XREAL; rather, it is a common limitation faced by many current XR glasses: it is difficult to completely dissipate the heat generated by integrating display and computing components in such compact devices.

However, the weight and comfort of wearing the a01 are still considered relatively good; at least it’s not as bulky as some heavier headsets. For those who want to try a lightweight XR for watching movies, it has a certain level of usability, but it’s still not quite up to the standard of an “ideal movie-watching device.”

Aura Aiming for a more complete experience

The article also mentions that XREAL is advancing the development of the yet-to-be-launched new device Project Aura. Compared to a01, this product places more emphasis on providing a complete XR experience. Aura utilizes a system developed in collaboration with Samsung, known as Android XR, which supports native gesture tracking and allows integration with the Google Play marketplace.

More importantly, the Aura is equipped with an external computing and power supply module, allowing users to carry it in their pockets. Unlike the a01, which requires a constant connection to another main device, this design is expected to address the main shortcomings of current XR glasses in terms of mobility and interactivity.

Additional information:TechCrunch believes that a01 is more of a transitional product in the hardware evolution process of XR. It demonstrates the possibility of portable viewing, but it is still difficult to replace more mature large-screen experiences such as televisions, projectors, or cinemas in the short term.