Snap Specs go on sale this fall for $2,195, with no pocket puck
They're the first Spectacles sold to anyone, and everything runs in the frames. The catch is the price and a battery rated at about four hours.
XREAL AuraRelease Date, Price & Specs (Fall 2026)
Last updated
XREAL AURA is due in fall 2026, with no exact date yet, at no more than $1,500 before tax. It brings Google’s Android XR platform to optical see-through AR glasses with Gemini, a 70° field of view, and an external compute puck that keeps the frames under 95 grams. It is not standalone: the glasses need a wired connection to the puck.
Status
Announced
Ships
Fall 2026
DISPLAY
Binocular micro-OLED see-through
WEIGHT
Under 95g
SEP 24 · LATEST ON XREAL AURA
They're the first Spectacles sold to anyone, and everything runs in the frames. The catch is the price and a battery rated at about four hours.
Read the story →Ask about the XREAL Aura
Comparison
Compare smart glassesHow it compares
Cost over 3 years
$1500
Device price plus up to three years of optional subscription.
Weight
~95g
Grams on your face. Lower is lighter.
Battery life
Puck-powered
How long it lasts on its own, away from a charger.
Cost over 3 years
Xreal Aura$1,500 · soon
Rokid AI Glasses Style$299
Solos AirGo V2AirGo Elite costs $12.99 a month. It is optional. Over 3 years that is $468.
Unlimited AI and live translation as someone is speaking. The cheaper Premium plan is $4.99 a month and covers ChatGPT only.
RayNeo Air 4 Pro$299
Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2$379Weight
Battery life
DeviceOptional subscription
Weights are for the frame as sold, without a case or a charger.
Battery life can vary based on usage, settings and firmware version.
If not this one
XREAL Aura is our pick for mixed reality, work and gaming. Where it does not lead, here is what does, and why you would switch.
- If the assistant is the reason you are buyingMeta Glasses (2026)
You ask Meta AI through the glasses and it answers there.
- If the camera decides itSolos AirGo V2
The frames take photos and record video.
- If workouts are the pointOakley Meta Vanguard
These are sport frames rated IP67, and they run nine hours on a charge.
Quick answers
All FAQsQuick answers
How much does Project Aura cost?
XREAL says the final retail price will be no more than US$1,500 before tax. That is a ceiling rather than a confirmed retail price, so it could land lower. The $99 Launch Credit tier (worth $199 at launch) has sold out, and the live tier is a $199 Priority Deposit, fully refundable and applied toward the purchase.
When does Xreal Project Aura release?
XREAL says Aura is coming in Fall 2026, and that shipping dates depend on the official launch in each region. Reservations are open now; an exact on-sale date has not been given.
Can I reserve or pre-order Project Aura?
Yes, through XREAL's website. XREAL says this is an early reservation, not a pre-order. The $299 Founder Priority Pass, limited to 2,000 reservations, sold out in 36 hours, as did the $99 Launch Credit tier. The remaining option is a $199 Priority Deposit, fully refundable before final purchase confirmation.
2025 · Others confirmed it
First announced at Google I/O 2025
Jun 2025 · Design and hardware
AWE 2025: 70° FOV and X1S chip confirmed
At Augmented World Expo 2025, Xreal confirmed Project Aura will feature a 70-degree-plus field of view and an upgraded X1S chip that is 25% faster than the X1, further optimized for multitasking. The tethered compute puck with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor was detailed. Flat prism lens technology confirmed for improved display clarity.
2026 · Others confirmed it
CES 2026: named lead Android XR hardware partner
2026 · Announced
Google I/O 2026: global launch confirmed before end of 2026
Xreal and Google confirmed Project Aura will launch globally before the end of 2026. Hands-on press demos at Google I/O showed immersive Google Maps, 180 and 360-degree YouTube, multitasking with floating windows, and DisplayPort laptop connection with Gemini autospatialization. The Android XR Developer Catalyst Program launched, offering 1,000 developer kits globally. First third-party Android XR device outside Samsung confirmed shipping in 2026.
Jun 16, 2026 · Announced
AWE 2026: reservations open, sub-$1,500 price ceiling
At Augmented World Expo 2026 in Long Beach, Xreal opened Aura reservations and committed to a retail price no higher than $1,500, though it withheld the exact figure. A $99 deposit returns $199 in launch credit; a $299 Founder tier for the first 2,000 buyers adds numbered hardware and guaranteed launch-day delivery. Xreal confirmed a fall 2026 launch across the US, UK, Japan, Canada and South Korea, with Best Buy carrying it in the US and Europe to follow. Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite platform and the 70-degree micro-OLED display (1,920x1,200 per eye, up to 120Hz, under 95g) were confirmed.
◆ Reader prediction
Will Xreal Aura ship by the end of 2026?
Xreal says fall 2026 and reservations are open, base model under $1,500 — but there's no firm ship date yet, and it's Xreal's most ambitious glasses so far. We'll know by year-end.
Resolves "Yes" only if first units reach buyers on or before Dec 31, 2026 — general availability doesn't count.
At a glance
THIS PRODUCTXreal Aura
COMPARE WITHSnap SpecsDisplay
Binocular micro-OLED see-throughConfirmed: GSMArena · Jul 13, 2026
Binocular waveguideReported: AR Insider · Jul 11, 2026
Price
The starting list price, not a temporary sale price. It is usually the first thing that rules a product in or out.
Under $1,500
From $2195
Case battery
Both list the same runtime on the frames, so the charging case is where the endurance difference actually is.
N/Acompute puck
20 hrs totalConfirmed: Snap · Jul 15, 2026
Weight
Weight decides all-day comfort. Exact and approximate figures stay labeled as the makers state them.
Under 95gConfirmed: UploadVR · Jul 13, 2026
132g / 136gConfirmed: AppleInsider · Jul 11, 2026
Frame choice
Frame shape and size decide whether they suit your face, and it is the hardest thing to change after buying.
Single designConfirmed: XREAL · Jul 11, 2026requires tethered compute puck
47mm and 52mmConfirmed: Snap Newsroom · Jul 11, 2026Swiss TR90 polymer · electrochromic lenses
Show 13 more specifications⌄
Auto-tint lenses
Electrochromic dimming, auto/manual, 5 levelsConfirmed: XREAL · Aug 9, 2026
Electrochromic (clear to tinted in ~10s)Confirmed: Snap (official) · Jul 11, 2026
Video
Camera hardware changes what you can capture and which visual features are possible.
Unknown
Records point-of-view video footageConfirmed: TechCrunch · Jul 13, 2026
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other connections determine what the device can work with.
USB-C tether to puckConfirmed: XREAL (official) · Jul 13, 2026Wi-Fi · BT (via puck)
BTConfirmed: Snap Newsroom · Jul 11, 2026USB-C
Frame partner
The eyewear partner decides the styles, the shops and where you get them fitted.
Xreal (in-house)Confirmed: XREAL · Jul 11, 2026
Snap (in-house)Confirmed: Snap Newsroom · Jul 11, 2026
Hands-free capture
Unknown
Hand gesture + voice via Snap OS (no physical capture button on the AR model)Reported: Snap (Spectacles official) · Jul 11, 2026
Microphones
More microphones is usually how a device picks your voice out of a noisy room.
4-mic array (Bose EQ)Confirmed: XREAL · Aug 9, 2026
6-micConfirmed: MacRumors · Jul 13, 2026
Walking directions
Unknown
AR walking directions (in-view, Lens-based)Confirmed: Snap Newsroom · Jul 11, 2026
Prescription lenses
For glasses, prescription support can decide whether the product is usable at all.
Insertable lensesConfirmed: Xreal (official) · Jul 13, 2026
Removable insertsConfirmed: Road to VR · Jul 11, 2026
Ongoing cost
Some products need a membership after you buy the hardware.
None
None
Visual AI
AI features vary from simple voice help to camera-based assistants.
Unknown
AI that sees what you see (Snap OS)Confirmed: Snap Newsroom · Jul 11, 2026
More specs⌄
Processor
The processor affects speed, efficiency and which features the device can support.
X1S (glasses) + Snapdragon Reality Elite (puck)Confirmed: Tom's Guide · Jul 11, 2026
Dual Snapdragon (model unconfirmed)Confirmed: AR Insider · Jul 11, 2026
AI platform
AI features vary from simple voice help to camera-based assistants.
Google GeminiConfirmed: XREAL · Jul 11, 2026
My AI (Snap)Reported: MacRumors · Jul 11, 2026
Ar capable
Display size and type affect what you can see and how the product feels to use.
Yes (spatial)Confirmed: Road to VR · Jul 13, 2026
Yes (spatial)Confirmed: Snap · Jul 15, 2026
Controls
YesConfirmed: Xreal · Jul 15, 20266DoF camera hand tracking
YesConfirmed: MacRumors · Jul 13, 2026camera hand tracking (Snap OS)
Recording indicator
Privacy LED on the capture cameraConfirmed: XREAL · Aug 9, 2026
Recording LEDConfirmed: Snap Newsroom · Jul 13, 2026
Sport
No
No
Model choice
Unknown
NoReported: Snap Developers (official) · Jul 12, 2026users get My AI (OpenAI/Gemini are developer-only in Lens Studio)
Fov
Display size and type affect what you can see and how the product feels to use.
70°Confirmed: XREAL (official) · Jul 12, 2026
51°Confirmed: Snap (official) · Jul 12, 2026
Software
Software affects apps, updates and how well the device fits your other products.
Android XRConfirmed: Xreal (official) · Jul 13, 2026
Snap OSReported: AR Insider · Jul 11, 2026
Phone needed
Some products work on their own while others depend on a companion phone.
NoConfirmed: UploadVR · Jul 13, 2026compute puck required
YesConfirmed: Snap Newsroom · Jul 11, 2026
Announced at Under $1,500, ships Fall 2026
What you can buy while you wait
Frequently asked questions
Questions about XREAL Aura
Top questions
How much does Project Aura cost?
XREAL says the final retail price will be no more than US$1,500 before tax. That is a ceiling rather than a confirmed retail price, so it could land lower. The $99 Launch Credit tier (worth $199 at launch) has sold out, and the live tier is a $199 Priority Deposit, fully refundable and applied toward the purchase.
When does Xreal Project Aura release?
XREAL says Aura is coming in Fall 2026, and that shipping dates depend on the official launch in each region. Reservations are open now; an exact on-sale date has not been given.
Can I reserve or pre-order Project Aura?
Yes, through XREAL's website. XREAL says this is an early reservation, not a pre-order. The $299 Founder Priority Pass, limited to 2,000 reservations, sold out in 36 hours, as did the $99 Launch Credit tier. The remaining option is a $199 Priority Deposit, fully refundable before final purchase confirmation.
What is Xreal Project Aura?
Project Aura is a pair of optical see-through AR glasses built by Xreal, running Android XR with Gemini AI. It features a 70-degree Sony Micro-OLED display at 1,920x1,200 per eye and refresh rates up to 120Hz. A pocket-sized compute puck handles the main processing and battery, keeping the glasses themselves lightweight.
Does Project Aura need a phone?
No phone required, but the compute puck is. Aura is not standalone the way Snap Specs is; the puck connects to the glasses by cable and handles the processing.
What is the puck and do I have to carry it?
The compute puck is a phone-sized device that holds the Snapdragon processor, a 4,455mAh battery, and network connectivity. The glasses tether to it via a wired cable. You carry it in your pocket. It doubles as a trackpad for pointer input alongside hand tracking.
How is Project Aura different from Snap Spectacles?
Both are true AR glasses shipping in fall 2026, but they take different approaches. Snap Specs are fully standalone with no puck or tether and cost $2,195. Aura connects to a compute puck you carry, and Xreal says the final price will be no more than $1,500. Aura runs Android XR with Gemini; Snap Specs run Snap's own OS. Aura's field of view is 70 degrees against Snap's 51 degrees.
What AI does Project Aura use?
Project Aura runs Gemini natively via Android XR. Gemini can see what you see, understand your context, and help through voice and multimodal AI.
Does Project Aura have a camera?
Yes. Aura has world-facing tracking cameras and a high-resolution camera with a privacy LED indicator, supporting hand tracking, 6DoF spatial anchoring and visual context for Gemini.
What is the field of view on Project Aura?
70 degrees, per Xreal's own product page.
How does Project Aura compare to Meta Orion?
Both use a puck-based split-compute architecture. Meta's Orion puck connects wirelessly; Aura's connects by cable. Meta has said Orion itself won't reach consumers as a shipping product, while Aura is a real consumer device coming in fall 2026. Orion runs Meta's own software; Aura runs Android XR with Gemini.
Is XREAL Aura the same as Project Aura?
Yes. Project Aura was the working name when the glasses were first shown at Google I/O in May 2025. They are now sold as XREAL AURA.
How much does XREAL Aura weigh?
The glasses weigh under 95 grams. The processor and battery live in the compute puck, which you carry in a pocket and connect by cable.
Using it
Reservation terms?
No. This is an early reservation for XREAL AURA. Is this a pre-order?
No. This is an early reservation for XREAL AURA. Final pricing, configurations, and shipping details will be announced closer to launch. No additional payment is required until final purchase confirmation.
Is my reservation refundable?
Yes. Your reservation is fully refundable before final purchase confirmation. Final pricing, configurations, and shipping details will be announced closer to launch.
Launch regions?
Current supported launch regions include: United States, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania, Finland, Portugal, Japan, and South Korea. Which countries are supported at launch?
Current supported launch regions include: United States, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania, Finland, Portugal, Japan, and South Korea. If your country is not currently supported, you can leave your email address on this page and we will contact you as availability expands.
Can I get prescription lenses?
Yes, with a prescription insert. A separate prescription lens carrier, bought and fitted on top.
Do the lenses tint automatically?
Yes, the lenses tint themselves. You darken them yourself, electronically. 5 tint levels.
How good is the camera?
It has 3 rear cameras.
What kind of screen is it?
It uses a micro-OLED waveguide. Light is piped through the lens, so the world stays visible behind it. There is one panel per eye.
Do I need a subscription?
No, there is no subscription. The maker has not confirmed this yet.
Does it work with my phone?
It works with an Android phone only. There is no iPhone app.
How heavy is it?
It weighs 91g.
Is it built for sport?
No, it is not built for sport. It is an everyday frame. Nothing stops you wearing it, but it is not made to grip. The maker has not published this, so treat it as a best guess.
Does it work without my phone?
No, it needs your phone.
What chip is inside?
It runs on XREAL X1S.
Which AI assistant does it use?
It uses Google Gemini.
What software does it run?
It runs Android XR.
Does it do AR?
Yes, it places things in the room around you. Content is anchored to the room around you.
How wide is the field of view?
It covers 70 degrees. That is how much of your view the image fills.
Whose frames are they?
The maker designs its own frames. No outside eyewear brand is involved.
How many microphones?
It has 4 microphones. They handle calls, voice control and recording.
Does it have a screen?
Yes, it has a screen.
Can I control it with gestures?
Yes, you can control it with gestures.
Sizing and fit
What sizes does it come in?
IPD Fit
M size: 60-66 mm.
Battery and charging
How big is the battery?
The battery is 4455 mAh. It was measured on the compute puck.
Does it need a battery pack?
Yes, it runs off a compute puck. A separate box on a cable does the work and holds the battery.
Price and models
When did the XREAL Aura come out?
It was announced May 20, 2025.
Up next
Xreal's Aura glasses ship this fall under $1,500
Android Police wore Xreal's dual-screen Android XR glasses for an hour. Xreal says they ship this fall for no more than $1,500.
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Up next
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