In terms of news related to mixed reality headsets, the year 2024 saw a lot of excitement. It had everything, from the highly awaited launch of Apple’s very first headset called Vision Pro to concept designs of smart glasses from Meta, along with several other HUD innovations.
Here’s a highlight of the top AR / XR headsets and smart glasses reveal of 2024…
XREAL Air 2 Ultra
Showcased at CES 2024, the XREAL Air 2 Ultra AR glasses offer a lightweight and discreet alternative to traditional VR headsets. Claimed to be designed for both productivity and entertainment needs, these AR glasses provide users with an immersive experience equivalent to viewing a 154-inch HD screen. The glasses feature advanced display technology, ensuring sharp visuals and vibrant colours, making them suitable for tasks ranging from virtual meetings to gaming sessions.
Also read: Meta introduces AR glasses Orion: Everything you need to know about them
Their ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended use, and their compatibility with various devices enhances their versatility. The company in December 2024 launched a budget-friendly version of its smart glasses called XREAL One.
Apple Vision Pro
First teased in 2023 but finally released to the world in February 2024, Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset aimed to seamlessly integrate digital content with the physical world. Equipped with high-resolution displays and advanced sensors, it offers an immersive experience for applications ranging from virtual meetings to interactive gaming. Despite its innovative features, the Vision Pro faced challenges in achieving mainstream adoption, primarily due to its premium price point of $3,499 and a limited selection of compelling content at launch.
Apple has acknowledged these hurdles and is reportedly working on a more affordable version to broaden its appeal. The Vision Pro‘s introduction has sparked discussions about the future of mixed-reality devices and their place in consumer technology.
Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is a mixed-reality headset launched earlier in 2024 as an affordable entry point into the mixed reality market. Priced at approximately $329.99, it is significantly less expensive than competitors like the Apple Vision Pro. The Meta Quest 3S shares the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and 8GB of RAM as the Quest 3, ensuring robust performance for a variety of applications.
Also read: Spacetop: The world’s first AR laptop, but will it be the future of computing?
While it offers a slightly lower resolution per eye compared to the Quest 3, it maintains a high-quality visual experience suitable for both gaming and productivity tasks. The headset’s design focuses on comfort and usability, with a lightweight build and intuitive controls. Meta also revealed its Orion AR smart glasses concept design earlier in 2024. There’s hardly any doubt that Meta’s introduction of the Quest 3S reflects its strategy to democratise access to mixed-reality technologies by providing cost-effective solutions with essential features.
Snap Spectacles (5th Gen)
Unveiled in September 2024 during their annual Partner Summit, the 5th-gen Snap Spectacles mark a significant evolution in the company’s augmented reality offerings. Unlike its predecessors, these AR glasses are equipped with dual cameras and advanced display technology capable of overlaying immersive digital graphics onto the physical world. They run on Snap’s custom operating system, Snap OS, which enhances performance and enables seamless integration with Snapchat’s suite of AR features.
Snap has partnered with OpenAI to incorporate AI capabilities, allowing developers to build and integrate AI-driven experiences into the Spectacles. The glasses offer a 46-degree diagonal field of view and a battery life of up to 45 minutes, catering primarily to developers and AR enthusiasts. To access these features, developers are required to subscribe to a $99 monthly plan, reflecting Snap’s focus on fostering a robust ecosystem of AR content creators.
Samsung Project Moohan
Announced in December 2024, Samsung’s Project Moohan represents the big consumer tech company’s foray into the mixed-reality space, developed in collaboration with Google. The headset is set to be powered by the newly introduced Android XR operating system, designed specifically for extended reality devices.
Project Moohan aims to blend virtual and augmented reality experiences, offering users a versatile platform for both entertainment and productivity. The device is expected to feature high-resolution displays, advanced tracking sensors, and seamless integration with Google’s suite of services, providing a comprehensive MR experience. Samsung has indicated that Project Moohan will be available for purchase in 2025, positioning it as a competitor in the growing mixed-reality market.
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