XREAL AURA Opens Japanese Pre-Orders With Android XR Snapdragon Reality Elite and Dedicated Gaming Controller

XREAL has opened Japanese pre-orders for AURA, a new spatial-computing device that combines Android XR, Google Gemini and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite platform. The November 2 announcement introduces one of the more ambitious mobile entertainment devices approaching the market. AURA uses lightweight optical see-through glasses weighing less than ninety-five grams, with a separate computing architecture intended to reduce the weight carried on the user's face.

The device supports Android applications through Google Play and offers access to more than 150 dedicated XR experiences. Gaming is an important part of the product's positioning. XREAL says users will be able to play compatible native Android games and stream games through low-latency connections while viewing content on large virtual displays. A dedicated wireless controller developed with GameSir features Hall-effect analogue sticks and triggers, alongside controls designed for navigating Android XR.

Japanese pricing begins at 229,800 yen for the model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. A higher configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage costs 269,800 yen. General retail availability is scheduled for November 27, with shipments expected to begin toward the end of the month. AURA is not a conventional gaming handheld, and actual game compatibility and performance will require independent testing. Nevertheless, it represents an interesting development in portable gaming displays.

Apparently the industry has decided that smartphones are becoming too small, so the obvious solution is to attach an enormous virtual screen to somebody's face.