Updated

Updated · SlashGear · Aug 27

XReal Xbx a01+ Delivers 147-Inch AR Display for $299 as Brand Pushes Cheaper Glasses

Updated

Updated · SlashGear · Aug 27

XReal Xbx a01+ Delivers 147-Inch AR Display for $299 as Brand Pushes Cheaper Glasses

Q: With strict USB-C video requirements, could your expensive new smartphone be completely useless with these budget-friendly AR glasses?

Yes. A pricey smartphone can be effectively useless with XReal’s $299 a01+ if its USB-C port does not support video output. The key issue is that USB-C is only the connector shape. The a01+ needs a real display signal, typically DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C. If a phone’s port handles only charging and basic data, the glasses will not work even if the plug fits and even if the phone itself is expensive. No ordinary cable or cheap adapter can add that missing hardware capability. This is why compatibility is uneven. Many flagship phones do support wired video output, including recent Samsung Galaxy models with DeX, Sony Xperia flagships, Asus ROG phones, and newer USB-C iPhones with video-out support. But some midrange or budget Android phones, and even certain premium-looking models, may lack DisplayPort Alt Mode entirely. In those cases, the a01+ becomes a nonstarter as a direct plug-in display. The same warning applies to cables and adapters. The included XReal cable is video-capable, but many standard USB-C cables are charge-only or data-only. HDMI sources may also need a direction-specific active adapter, sometimes with external power. For buyers, the safe rule is simple: verify the exact phone model supports external display output over USB-C before purchasing. If it does, the a01+ should work as intended. If it does not, the glasses may be little more than an unusable accessory, regardless of how much the phone cost.

3 articles · Updated · SlashGear · Aug 27

$299 XReal Xbx a01+ glasses are positioned as an entry-level AR display, with the review calling them a strong portable theater option for travelers and commuters.
A 147-inch-equivalent screen, 1,600-nit brightness and 62-gram weight drive that appeal, while USB-C power lets the glasses work like an external monitor with compatible phones and other devices.
The main compromise is tracking: the virtual screen moves with the wearer's head rather than staying fixed in space, making fit adjustments more frequent than on higher-end XReal models.
Battery drain from the connected device and tinny open-back speakers limit longer sessions, but the review says the low price makes the category more accessible than rival AR glasses.