XR glasses are emerging as a potentially significant gaming accessory, especially for users of handheld PCs seeking a larger screen experience on the go. Asus has partnered with XReal to create a bespoke pair of gaming glasses, the ROG XReal R1, building on the momentum from products like the Asus ROG Ally X. When connected directly to a handheld device, the ROG XReal R1 delivers a clear picture and notable RGB lighting. However, the glasses come with a substantial $849 price tag, a significant portion of which covers a dock designed to enable multi-device connectivity via HDMI and DisplayPort. This dock, intended as a key feature, ultimately proves to be the package's weakest element.
The design of the ROG XReal R1 follows the trend of bulky aesthetics common in XR glasses. The display housing adds about an inch of thickness, causing the glasses to protrude from the face. While the angular design of the lenses is slightly more appealing than some competitors, the overall look remains unwieldy. The head-tracking camera is better integrated than in many similar devices, concealed within a small, distinct section on the otherwise unified front plastic. The temples, however, are unmistakably ROG, featuring nine RGB lighting zones arranged in diagonal lines. These lights default to a common rainbow cycling effect but can be customized through the buttons on the left temple. A bottom button controls screen centering or accesses settings with a double-tap, while another integrated volume rocker also serves to bring up a menu for adjusting tint, screen size, and volume.
The integrated speakers are functional, providing sufficient volume for gameplay but lacking the power to drown out ambient noise, necessitating headphones for true immersion or privacy. Navigating the glasses' menus presents a steep learning curve, with an intuitive setup proving elusive even after extended use.
The Dock's Limitations
The included dock, styled like a typical ROG accessory with angular lines, lacks the RGB flair seen on the glasses themselves. Its primary function is to connect multiple devices, with two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, and USB-C for power and glasses connection. It features power and FPS Boost buttons, the latter intended to increase the refresh rate to 240Hz by lowering resolution. In practice, this feature resulted in a glitchy picture that caused headaches when viewing text. The dock's control stick is meant for settings adjustments, including switching between Anchor and Follow display modes, though the buttons on the glasses are often easier to use given the limited field of view. A significant issue encountered was the failure of the dock's control stick to toggle between different visual profiles, leaving the unit stuck in "Racing" mode despite firmware updates and testing with multiple devices. This malfunction, coupled with the dock being a mandatory purchase with the $849 glasses, raises questions about the value proposition, especially considering XReal's $449 1S model offers a comparable visual experience without the problematic dock.
Performance and Gaming Experience
In isolation, the ROG XReal R1 functions as a 1080p, 120Hz display. Asus and XReal claim high brightness and wide color gamut coverage, though these aspects are difficult to verify due to the display's small size. The image is generally colorful but can appear washed out and dim, possibly due to the locked visual profile. When connected to handhelds like the Xbox Ally X, games display well, and text is readable. However, stretching the display to its maximum 171-inch equivalent can make the 1080p image appear pixelated. A smaller display size in Follow mode offers a more comfortable viewing experience, avoiding head movement and minimizing visible pixelation.
The glasses also feature an "Instant 3D" mode, which transforms 2D games into a 3D experience using an onboard X1 chip. This mode, however, did not function when connected via the dock but worked when plugged directly into a handheld, simulating a large 3DS-like display without the awkwardness of holding a device. While not perfect, it adds an interesting dimension to gameplay.
Connecting to a gaming PC or console through the dock provides a similar 1080p image quality. The issues arise with the 240Hz FPS Boost mode, which, despite offering smoother motion, introduces a noticeable shimmer to static elements, making text difficult to read and creating a generally strange visual artifact. This problem vanishes when reverting to the 120Hz refresh rate. The primary benefit of the dock remains its convenience for connecting PCs or consoles. While enjoyable for games like "Beast of Reincarnation," this functionality does not justify the significant price increase over less expensive alternatives like the XReal 1S or Viture Beast.