Following its consumer debut in South Korea this summer, Nreal is getting ready to expand availability of Nreal Light, its sunglasses-style AR headset, to Japan with the help of one the country’s largest telecoms, KDDI.

Update (November 10th, 2020): According to Mogura (Japanese), Nreal is preparing to launch Nreal Light to consumers in Japan, with pre-orders starting tomorrow, November 11th. The company says it will support Sony XPERIA 5 II and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G, as well as future 5G-enabled devices.

Nreal Light is slated to cost ¥69,799 (~$663 USD) both through au Online Shop and KDDI brick-and-mortar stores throughout Japan, presumably offered there in some sort of hardware bundle.

Original Article (August 17th, 2020): As reported by The Verge, Nreal is now taking pre-orders from Korea-based consumers, available through Korean telecom LG Uplus. Light AR will be available in stores there starting August 21st.

When bundled with the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 or LG Velvet and a 5G data plan, Nreal Light AR comes to a pretty reasonable ₩349,500 (~$295). Without the smartphone/5G bundle, the headset is priced at ₩699,000 (~$590).

Image courtesy Nreal

Nreal Light launched pre-orders for its $1,200 developer kit late last year. The dev kit is driven by a tethered compute unit running a Snapdragon 845 mobile chipset, however the slim-line, sunglasses-style headset for consumers is supposed to rely on smartphones to drive the headset, tethered via a USB-C cable.

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Like other AR headsets, such as HoloLens or Magic Leap One, Nreal Light AR includes 6DOF inside-out tracking, letting users walk around the room and interact with 3D content naturally. The consumer headset, which sports a relatively wide 52-degree diagonal field of view, comes with a variety of nose clips, a corrective lens insert, and an opaque shielding (dubbed “VR cover”) that is designed to block out light for a brighter, more immersive view. While hand-tracking isn’t available yet, Nreal says it will arrive at some point.

It’s unclear when other regions will see the consumer launch of Nreal Light AR, although Nreal may be planning its launch in stages to better gauge demand. Nreal initially hoped to launch its consumer version Light AR glasses in early 2020, however like many, the Beijing, China-based company was forced to delay production in February due to COVID-19 concerns.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Rudl Za Vedno

    Yeah, buy $1K phone so you can get $300 discount on the AR glasses, What a steal…NOT

    • Kisato

      It’s probably not bad if you’re in need of a new phone; the actual price isn’t bad for the device itself, given most people probably have a Snapdragon 855-or-newer smartphone by this point.

  • asdf

    $1k says these get banned in other countries. Chinese based company that out of the gate had turmoil over theft from multiple large companies….

    • dk

      there was no theft …many companies have similar headsets …the optics design has been around for years …Rony just wanted to fuck with them since their marketing is similar

    • Ad

      No one cares about ethics in this industry, why should they start? I thought good products spoke for themselves?

    • Tacocat 4642

      Because being from china instantly means that your company is a secret Chinese spy infiltrating the US government.

      Racist much?

  • Ad

    Total Quest killer. But how do you control this?

    • Hivemind9000

      Yeah, nah. It’s AR not VR.

      • Ad

        I was partly joking, but they actually include a cover over the displays to use VR content somehow. Honestly, a lot of VR thought leaders and journalists want to make VR more like AR, so more than a few people would go for this over a standalone VR headset. The display on this is quite good.

        • kontis

          Once they experience the 50 deg FOV VR they will stop using it after 5 minutes and will never use it again.

          We had low FOV HMDs for 3 deacades, market was always rejecting them. Crappy Oculus DK1 sold more than any of these HMDs ever in history, even the Sony ones with oleds.

          • Ad

            None of those were 6doF, AR, or comfortable. Believe me, I like VR better, but so many people have been absolutely mindless about VR lately. If you want a Quest first VR with hand tracking, then stuff like the NReal will eat it alive.

        • LegendaryKeith

          What do you mean with “want to make VR more like AR”? Do you mean passthrough AR or do you mean there are apps in vr stores that are more suitable for AR headsets?

          • Ad

            I meant when people say that want VR to be hand tracked, simple, passive, small use cases, and a tiny form factor. Like UploadVR does this a lot, being all over Quest and talking about specific smaller use cases that they think standalone would be perfect for.

          • LegendaryKeith

            Ah okay, i understand now. What do you think standalone VR headsets should be like ? What’s your version of an ideal standalone VR headset?

          • Ad

            Probably wouldn’t exist. I think we should focus on getting people acclimated enough with their non standalone options from consoles to upgrading their PCs. Within 5 years VR will be able to run on integrated graphics and right now every option from NVIDIA except the 1650 can run Alyx. Ampere will only improve this. Consider an artist, if VR creative software gets to where it needs to be, they will get VR. And they’ll either get a new GPU. But I don’t just don’t think standalone would be viable for them.

            I think the issue with standalone is that it encourages a passive experience and can’t ever be as open or free as PC where modding, tech demos, running multiple programs at once, and total compatibility allow for a lot more potential for VR to be useful and evolving. It also feeds ideas of making VR headsets as small as possible and getting them into the hands of literally everyone, which is a bad goal. My parents don’t want or need VR, they might be convinced by AR, and standalone doesn’t change that.

        • Hivemind9000

          Yeah it will be interesting to see how good the FoV can get in AR as that will be one of the main limiting factors for taking on VR headsets (with some form of background occlusion).

          I’m also interested in the improvements in passthrough stereoscopic cameras, where VR headsets could emulate AR. Both will probably meet in the middle at some point.

          Excited about the future of both, but for me AR technology is still not there yet, while I can get good use from my VR headset.

          • Ad

            FOV doesn’t matter, you have real life surroundings.

          • Hivemind9000

            It does matter. When an object moves out of the narrow FoV AR glasses currently have they get truncated, breaking any illusion. Also means you can’t have larger (or closer) objects in view. It’s one of the biggest complaints. Doesn’t have to be full human FoV but I think at least 90 degrees would be ideal.

          • Ad

            It doesn’t matter very much. Yes you can’t get really close but for a lot of use cases you have a full world displayed across your whole human FOV, it’s just the real one. This also means that the frame rate is not a big issue and comfort issues don’t exist. 90 would be nice but it isn’t possible with this form factor, and people were drooling for this when Facebook put out that ad disguised as a research paper with a fake image of VR glasses like these.

          • Hivemind9000

            Well several reviewers who have actually tried these out would disagree with you. But you seem to have lots of opinions, so just go with those and go out and buy one.

          • Ad

            Which reviewers? I’m happy to see reviews, I’m just saying that these seem a lot more functional than people would have expected.

          • Jorge Gustavo

            Ok. Now go play Half Life Alyx with a 55 fov and come back here telling that doesnt make any difference.

            You are right. This is a lot more functional than people expected. You are right, small factor AR headsets/glasses has a lot more mass appeal for sales.

            But people who are active in their headsets playing games in the present time with VR will not substitute a VR headset for AR in the current state of the technology.

            So, with the right price and functional apps, maybe this can overtop Quest in salles… But for games, as a niche product, VR headsets still have their place . Only with ar glasses with large fov and optional blocking of light a VR headset Will stop making sense. I don’t want to fight aliens hiding behind my couch in my room… Ok I want. But I want to still be able to fight aliens in their spaceships and in full fictional cg worlds

          • Ad

            I have an index, I will never trade it for an AR headset, but this conversation started about the Quest. The market now being targeted with that would prefer these I think.

    • dk

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LxOlsHu3r8 also when u plug it in a phone u have buttons touchpad and keyboard on the phone screen and the phone works as a 3dof controller too …but yeah not really competing with the quest

      • dk

        https://youtu.be/itOx8p8BUqM 2nd hand tracking demo

        • silvaring

          Very impressive latency and tracking for a 30fps camera, and zero GPU usage and only 10% CPU usage, and all done in slightly differing light conditions. Wow, I am honestly amazed at this… wonder how different the tracking quality is going to be compared to the radar in Googles Soli chip.

          • dk

            btw in the info of the video it says it’s running on oneplus 7t …so sd855+ …it would be interesting to compare to different platforms

      • Ad

        It doesn’t have hand tracking I thought.

        I think it will compete with the quest though. If the Quest goes in a small simple apps with hand tracking direction then this could definitely impact it. Sharp vibrant screen, tiny fork factor, more powerful hardware, can use anywhere and while multi tasking, and a brand new emerging platform. I don’t get why a mature version of this wouldn’t be more compelling than a standalone headset with an 835.

        • Jorge Gustavo

          Games. I want VR for games. AR as general, in the present time, is not in the same level as VR in games. So, I would buy booth. Quest for games and n-real for curiosity and to check the state of the AR apps. I don’t really have a compelling reason to buy a n-real for now. But for future generations, you are right. AR has more potential for mass sales. But maybe we will see ar and vr become available in a single headset. An ar device, with small form factor and full fov and optional blocking of all external light. This hipotetical device can be a Quest Killer. For now, this is not a Quest killer.

          • Ad

            I think most people buying a quest, the market Facebook is replacing its current user base with, would only need added controllers to prefer this, even they even need that.

    • Jorge Gustavo

      I usually think in Quest as a diferent device with diferent purpose. Quest is VR. More fov, more immersion and better for vr games. AR can be a smartphone killer or at least a smartphone addon. AR has a lot more potential to become a mass product and vr to become a niche. But I am talking about future, n- real is just a step in that direction. Not a Quest killer

  • arczi79

    It looks extremely bizarre on your face… They should go with different design… :/

    • dk

      no they don’t
      https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/711×533/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f30e909d049117c2f82d814/960×0.jpg?fit=scale
      it’s not sunglasses yet ….it’s just the closest u can get to sunglasses at the moment ….88 grams is extremely light compared to anything similar …but it’s not really for casual walks in the park …it’s just the best package for using ar ….and if someone has the dedication to use it on casual walks in the park while it’s not too bright out …sure it can be done
      …the oculus/facebook headset will likely be better but that will most likely have a processing unit on the back of the head like hololens2 and is most likely more then a year away(there will be some news on Sep 15) …and apple glass will be just a focals equivalent but it will make smart glasses popular so that’s something

      • arczi79

        “it’s not sunglasses yet”

        Yes! Exactly! So why they make it so similar to sunglasses? Why they didn’t choose some other design which will not bring to your mind view of sunglasses? In my opinion they made terrible decision.

        “.and if someone has the dedication to use it on casual walks in the park while it’s not too bright out …sure it can be done”

        No way! NO WAY! Only in complete darkness where no one can see me!

        • dk

          “So why they make it so similar to sunglasses?”….xD because that’s the goal as I said …did u see the link …it has the same fov and better resolution and brightness and screen clarity than magic leap1(but that has other advantages) in a much smaller package ….it’s great progress ….and it’s basically the first good quality/size and price consumer ar headset ever

          • arczi79

            I didn’t say a word about features. Of course it is very good that the device is smaller and more powerfull but the design is horrible. If the goal was to make it simillar do sunglasses than they failed because it reminds sunglasses only on a bookshelf… not on a human head ;)

          • dk

            what u linked is not an ar headset …..that’s just a smartwatch for your face…. show me a better looking consumer 6dof ar headset with better displays stereo images giving u effectively a 3d hologram

            like I said no one is telling u to replace your sunglasses with it …..just your huge existing ar goggles u might have

          • arczi79

            “show me a better looking consumer 6dof ar headset”
            Holo Lens 2

          • dk

            xD $3500 same fov and worse picture quality then nreal …and it’s nowhere near the same tiny size https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/711×533/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f30e909d049117c2f82d814/960×0.jpg?fit=scale ….good job lol

          • arczi79

            There is no worse looking AR device than Nreal AR. Lenovo is a little better – but still far away from a acceptable design.
            BTW: Why did you write the price of a Hololens? I thought we are discussing about design of these devices (not technical part).

          • dk

            lol because it’s multiple times more expensive enterprise device …it’s not even in the same realm of devices because of the price and huge size …what’s next comparing the varjo xr1 to the quest just because we can …and both r head mounted displays
            ….at least this time u linked a real ar headset ……and nreal has the same fov and better image quality in a tiny form factor

            again there isn’t a single better looking similar size similar price similar capabilities headset on the market that’s why u can’t find any…. but don’t worry there will be plenty of options at some point

          • arczi79

            “lol because it’s multiple times more expensive enterprise device …it’s not even in the same realm of devices because of the price and huge size ..”

            I don’t see correlation with the topic of the design of these headsets. Even very small company with low budget can prepare nice looking device – it doesn’t require multi million R&D. I don’t understand your point of view.

          • dk

            I told u exactly why it doesn’t make sense comparing them ….one is gigantic multiple times more expensive enterprise headset …and the other is tiny and the closest u can get to sunglasses size affordable consumer headset …the only thing that makes sense comparing is the fov and picture clarity and the hand tracking and battery life …and they r pretty similar

            if nreal designed a gigantic expensive enterprise headset compare that to the hololens all u want…..or if MS designs a tiny consumer affordable headset u can compare that to the nreal light ….how is it so hard to understand …there was a completely different goal in the design of the 2 headsets

            ….there isn’t a single better looking product on the market with similar size weight price and capability …or u would have linked one when I asked u for that ….hell I linked one that u think looks a bit better …but again that is not on the market

          • arczi79

            You don’t understand me. All the time I was writting about DESIGN -> HOW IT LOOKS LIKE FROM OUTSIDE. I don’t care about hardware INSIDE. I am telling that even with a BIG device as Hololens THEY WERE ABLE TO SHOW GOOD DESIGN. Nreal AR is a fucking joke – sunglasses flying above nose! They could do something different – more similar to Hololens but smaller. Something which would not try to pretend that it is something which IT IS NOT!

            Ok. I am done with that discussion. If you like it so much – buy it. It is not expensive.

          • dk

            u don’t understand me
            ……there isn’t a single better looking product on the market with similar size weight price and capability
            ….because there isn’t a single second attempt to make an affordable consumer product as small as possible and being a proper ar headset

            …..u can like better the look of the hololens2 or vargo xr or whatever all u want ……they had a completely different goal in mind when designing it

            ….another good and most likely better option will be the oculus/facebook ar headset but most likely that is more then a year away and will most likely have a processing box on the back of the head …which might be a disadvantage for some people

            Ok. I am done with the discussion.

          • arczi79
          • dk

            project area doesn’t have a screen yet and with the hardware inside it will be $1000-1500 unless they sell it at a loss like the quest …for something like$800 …..and it’s more then a year away of being ready

  • sebrk

    Ah yes. Another Chinese product made by stealing IP in the first place. How about boycott made in china. I always wish AR and VR companies the best but these theives can go f*ck themselves. As can CCP. Free Hong Kong!

    • dk

      steal what …..the optics design has been around for years in multiple products and there is no patent about it

      • sebrk

        Good little chinazi

        • dk

          got it …no examples for anything stolen …which is why the court rejected magic leap’s baseless lawsuit ….and no I’m not Chinese or Asian for that matter

          • sebrk

            By law all chinese companies need to give everything to CCP if asked. No court order needed.

            Former emoloyee of ML starts Nreal with same technology. Then disappears for months. Even though it might have been dismissed we all know how chinese companies operate. They have been stealing IP since forever. Just because it was not proven now desn’t mean it is true. They even copied the font in PR material.

            Now add the CCP covert ownership of basically everything in China you can see where that is going.

            So yes, they did get freed this time around but that proves nothing and if history and contemporary stories can teach you anything is that china is not a fair competitor in anything. Finally the world is waking up.

          • dk

            xD
            “starts Nreal with same technology” ….what same technology ….it’s completely different optical design that has been use in various headsets over the past 10 years probably …that’s why the court rejected the magic leaps baseless lawsuit

          • sebrk

            yeah there are other things than optics but you the boss with your state sponsored dictator hardware.

          • dk

            so u agree that the optics have absolutely nothing to do with magic leap …..which is the only interesting thing magic leap did although it’s not that capable or scalable and the other thing they did is buying a bunch of patents

            ….so what the tracking ….6dof inside out tracking has also been on the market for years and various companies have it …..and again the court rejected the magic leap’s baseless lawsuit because there is no sign of any wrongdoing

    • silvaring

      gtfo

      • sebrk

        No you gtfo chinazi bot

    • Tacocat 4642

      “Free Hong Kong” but then you go on to be racist & label everyone who you don’t agree with as a “chinazi” because you’re too insecure… damn…

      Nreal is a private company and has nothing to do with the CCP or chinese government at all. Also, it wasn’t made by stealing IP, this has been proven, the optics design has been there for ages and magic leap was just being whiny.

      • sebrk

        I guess that is why the founder of nreal was nowhere to be found for questioning. They even copied the fonts ffs. If you start a business in China you are automatically part of the CCP complex. That is clear as day by this point.

        So insecure… keep praising your leader then.

  • I love nreal, and $300 is a very good price for an AR headset! The only problem is having valuable content for this glass, otherwise you just put it on the shelf and forget about it

    • oomph

      nreal should make it compatible to openxr & steam

  • oomph

    Nreal is THE AR
    Nreal is THE VR
    Rest is all trash

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  • AS

    Any idea when they will be available unbundled to the rest of the world?