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Smart Glasses Impress at CES 2026 as Attention Shifts to Android XR

Rapid hardware gains contrast with lingering software gaps that Android XR aims to address.

Overview

  • 9to5Google reports that CES 2026 featured better displays, more polished hardware, and a surge of new smart‑glasses brands on the show floor.
  • Xreal launched the 1S for $450, demoed phone control via pinch‑gesture hand tracking on the Xreal One Pro, and showed a covered Project Aura unit built on Android XR.
  • An Asus ROG collaboration with Xreal showcased a 240 Hz display, signaling faster‑moving micro‑OLED performance for gaming‑style use cases.
  • Even Realities’ G2 delivered a thin, discreet pair with a monochrome green heads‑up display and touchpad controls, though the review cited limited customization and weak app integration.
  • Google’s Android XR prototypes were described by 9to5Google as significantly more advanced than today’s consumer offerings, and Xreal said it will align its future roadmap with Google’s platform.