Flat screen gaming is already one of the most immersive forms of entertainment out there, but what can elevate the experience even further are virtual or augmented reality headsets, which help to blur the lines between the real and digital dimensions. VR and AR headsets already exist on the market, but many of these are far too bulky for extended use, which is why AR glasses are becoming increasingly popular. ROG’s newest contender, the XREAL R1 Gaming Glasses, aims for the top spot within the niche market, offering immersive gaming experiences while still maintaining comfort and affordability.
The ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses come equipped with a 240Hz Micro-OLED display with 0.01ms response time and up to 700 nits brightness, which projects a 171-inch virtual display at a perceived distance of 4 metres from a user’s eyes. To connect the glasses to an external device like a PC or gaming console, a control dock is also included, which features HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C connectivity, alongside controls for its built-in menus.
Speaking of, the unit comes with several options for customising its virtual screen, such as size and position, all accessible via buttons on the glasses or its control dock. Notable features include two modes – Anchor, which locks the virtual screen in place, and Follow, which, as its name suggests, automatically tracks the screen’s position and moves it relative to a user’s head movement. There’s also electrochromic dimming, which helps to tint the corners of the screen to block ambient light.
In terms of comfort, the ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses clock in at just 91g, making them comfortable for long sessions, with replacement nose pads included to further improve their fit. While the device gets noticeably warm around the bridge of the nose, the location which houses the majority of its electronics, these temperatures remain manageable and aren’t uncomfortable
The device also features 3D conversion options, including Half-SBS, Full SBS and 2D-to-3D. The former two work well on compatible content, although the AI 2D-to-3D implementation can be inconsistent, occasionally producing visual artifacts and, more notably, limiting frame rates to 30FPS, which can cause motion sickness.
At US$849, the ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses also offer a competitive price point, considering most high-end 240Hz monitors out there can cost over US$1,000. In all, the device impresses thanks to its flexibility and ease of use, offering all the immersion and privacy that come with such AR devices with the comfort of its low-profile form factor.
Check out the video above for the complete breakdown of the ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses.
GEEK REVIEW SCORE
Summary
The ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses lets gamers enter a whole new dimension without the need for a bulky headset, packing in a host of customisation and quality-of-life features in a sleek and comfortable form factor.
Overall
9/10
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Aesthetics - 9/10
9/10
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Build Quality - 9/10
9/10
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Performance - 9/10
9/10
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Value - 8.5/10
8.5/10
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Geek Satisfaction - 9.5/10
9.5/10
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
Si Jia
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