Katarzyna Petru
Can you replace a monitor or TV with gaming glasses? Asus believes so. In collaboration with the company Xreal, the manufacturer introduced new gaming glasses Asus Xreal R1, which offer a virtual screen with a diagonal of up to 117 inches and a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz.
Micro-OLED instead of LCD
Similar to the Apple Vision Pro or the upcoming Samsung Galaxy XR, Asus's glasses use micro-OLED displays. This is a key difference compared to the Meta Quest headsets, which still rely on low-resolution LCD panels. Micro-OLED provides higher contrast, better sharpness, and significantly better image quality, especially when displaying text and dynamic games.
Light as regular glasses
Unlike heavy VR goggles, the Asus Xreal R1 is actually glasses. They weigh only 91 grams, do not completely cover the field of view, and do not isolate the user from their surroundings. At the same time, one has to accept the compromise of a 1080p resolution, which is noticeably lower than in full-fledged XR headsets.
Virtual screen without a larger desk
Asus announced the product even before CES 2026 with the slogan "you don't need a bigger desk." That's true, although a powerful PC or console is still necessary, to which the glasses can be connected via USB-C or the included HDMI / DisplayPort dock. The manufacturer boasts a 57-degree field of view, which is meant to provide the impression of a huge screen suspended in space.
"57° FOV provides a spacious virtual image while also giving a good view of the real world. This creates the feeling of sitting in front of a 171-inch screen from four meters away. Whether you’re gaming or watching movies, you get a screen that allows you to fully enjoy entertainment” – reports Asus.
240 Hz and Anchor Mode
Micro-OLED in the Asus Xreal R1 supports a resolution of 1080p with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz, making these glasses an exceptionally interesting option for gamers. The virtual screen can follow head movement or remain "anchored" in one position in space thanks to Anchor Mode. The release of the Asus Xreal R1 is scheduled for the first half of 2026. The price has not yet been disclosed.
Competition from Xreal
At the same time at CES 2026, Xreal presented its own glasses, Xreal 1S. They offer micro-OLED displays with a resolution of 1200p and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, as well as the ability to virtualize a screen up to 500 inches. A new feature is also the conversion of 2D images to 3D. The price of the Xreal 1S was set at $449 or €499. Gaming glasses are increasingly boldly entering the territory previously reserved for monitors and televisions. The question is whether gamers are ready to swap a classic screen for a virtual one.
