RayNeo Air 4 Pro vs XREAL 1S: is the upgrade worth it?

This is the classic AR glasses choice. The RayNeo Air 4 Pro is a budget pair. The XREAL 1S sits one step up. Both plug into a phone, laptop or handheld over USB-C. The real question is whether the 1S's extras are worth paying for.

The short version

Get the Air 4 Pro if you mostly watch shows and want to spend less. Get the 1S if you want a screen that stays put, lenses that dim, or prescription lenses that take your astigmatism numbers.

Verdict by use

Use	Pick	Why
Movies and shows	Air 4 Pro	Bright 1,200-nit screen with HDR10
Flights and trains	XREAL 1S	Auto dimming and a screen you can pin in place
Steam Deck	XREAL 1S	Its 16:10 screen matches the Deck
Laptop work	XREAL 1S	Ultra-wide mode and a taller screen
Wearing glasses	XREAL 1S	XREAL's lens order form takes astigmatism numbers
Tight budget	Air 4 Pro	The cheaper tier

Where the 1S earns its price

A screen that stays put. The 1S runs 3DoF tracking on its own X1 chip. You can anchor the screen in one spot, let it follow your head, or switch to an ultra-wide view. The Air 4 Pro has no tracking. Its screen is always fixed in the middle of your view.

Lenses that dim. The 1S clears up when you look away and darkens when you look back. You can set the tint yourself too. The Air 4 Pro has no electronic dimming.

A taller screen. The 1S uses 1920×1200 screens, a 16:10 shape. That's great on a Steam Deck and nice for documents. The Air 4 Pro is 1920×1080, the same shape as a TV.

A wider view. XREAL lists a 52° field of view for the 1S. RayNeo lists 46° for the Air 4 Pro. Android Authority found the Air 4 Pro's picture filled about as much of its view as a 32-inch desk monitor.

2D to 3D on the glasses. XREAL says the 1S can turn regular 2D video into 3D right on the glasses, with no app.

Where the Air 4 Pro wins

Brightness. RayNeo rates it at up to 1,200 nits. XREAL rates the 1S at 700. Brands don't all measure brightness the same way, so treat this as a rough guide, not a lab result.

HDR10. RayNeo calls it the first AR glasses with an HDR10 display. It worked on a MacBook in Android Authority's testing. On a Pixel 9 Pro, it didn't, and the glasses fell back to an SDR-to-HDR filter.

Weight. It's 76 g against the 1S's 82 g. Six grams is small, but you might notice it on a long flight.

Price. It's the cheaper tier. If you just want a big screen for shows, that money can go toward a dock or a good pair of earbuds.

Things to know before you buy

• Neither one has a battery. Both run off whatever you plug them into. In Android Authority's testing, the Air 4 Pro used 20% of a Pixel 9 Pro's battery in under an hour.
• Fit. Android Authority notes the Air 4 Pro has a fixed IPD, the spacing between the two screens. That means it fits some faces better than others.
• Prescriptions. XREAL sells custom lenses for the 1S, made by a partner. The order form asks for your sphere, cylinder, axis and IPD. RayNeo points Air 4 Pro buyers to its partner, Lensology. Here's how those inserts work.
• Switch 2 needs extra gear for both. Here's how the Switch 2 setups work.
• Getting a black screen? On the 1S, start with our XREAL black screen fix.

Specs side by side

Check your device

Both pairs are confirmed for Steam Deck and recent iPhones. Check yours:

Compatibility checkerSteam Deck OLED + RayNeo Air 4 ProWorks Compatibility checkeriPhone 17 Pro / 17 Pro Max + XREAL 1SWorks

The bottom line

If you watch in a dark room and want to keep costs down, the Air 4 Pro is plenty. If you travel, wear glasses or game on a Steam Deck, the 1S is worth the step up.

More help picking:

• Best AR glasses for Steam Deck
• Which iPhones work with AR glasses
• Prescription options for the VITURE Beast, if you're weighing a flagship too