XReal 1 Pro+ Wins Editors' Choice at $599 as Brightness Jumps to 1,200 Nits

Q: With rivals offering built-in focus dials and brighter screens, does XReal's tethered 1 Pro+ still justify its premium price tag?

Yes—for the right buyer, XReal’s 1 Pro+ still earns its $599 price, but mainly because of tracking quality rather than headline specs. On paper, rivals look more aggressive. The Viture Pro 2 is much cheaper at $299, offers a brighter 1,600-nit display, and includes built-in focus dials that can spare nearsighted users the cost and hassle of prescription inserts. XReal also remains tethered by USB-C, so it lacks the convenience of a standalone headset. But the 1 Pro+ is aimed at a different priority: stable, work-friendly spatial display performance. Its peak brightness jumps to 1,200 nits from 700, it adds AI HDR modes, and its 2D-to-3D conversion now runs at 60Hz. More importantly, XReal’s X1 chip keeps the virtual screen anchored more steadily in space. That matters most in 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide modes, where image drift or jitter can quickly ruin productivity. Reviews cited in the coverage say this is where the 1 Pro+ clearly beats rivals such as the Viture Beast, despite costing more. The trade-offs are real. Buyers still need third-party prescription inserts, there is no built-in camera, and 6DOF requires the optional $99 Eye accessory. Anyone focused on value, maximum brightness, or vision convenience may find Viture’s alternatives more compelling. Still, for users who want the most refined wired portable monitor experience for laptops, phones, movies, and gaming, XReal’s brighter panel and notably steadier head tracking make the premium defensible.

3 articles · Updated · PCMag · Oct 15

$599 XReal 1 Pro+ earns an Editors' Choice nod by nearly doubling peak brightness to 1,200 nits while improving head-tracking stability over the earlier One Pro.
That upgrade keeps the same 57-degree, 1,920-by-1,080 prism display and X1 chip, but lifts 2D-to-3D conversion to 60Hz and makes HDR-style viewing more usable in bright rooms.
Against the $549 Viture Beast, the glasses cost $50 more yet match its visual punch and deliver steadier ultrawide 21:9 and 32:9 anchored screens for productivity.
The hardware otherwise changes little: a 3.1-ounce frame, electrochromic lenses, wired USB-C video input, and optional $99 XReal Eye camera for 6DOF tracking and 12MP photos.
The review frames the 1 Pro+ as a refinement rather than a redesign, but says the jump from the original model's 700 nits makes it a worthwhile upgrade for existing users.