Xreal to Launch Aura Smart Glasses This Year, Targets IPO Before End-2026

3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · May 24

Xreal plans to commercially launch its Project Aura smart glasses later this year after initially limiting the device to developers.
Aura uses OLED-equipped glasses tethered to a phone-sized computing puck, enabling apps such as Google Maps, YouTube VR, web browsing, games and hand-tracked holographic drawing.
CEO Chi Xu said shrinking hardware and better software have pushed smart glasses toward an inflection point, with Meta’s 2023 Ray-Ban partnership helping prove consumer demand.
Xreal is also preparing for an IPO before 2026 ends while trying to improve economics; Xu said gross margins are rising, marketing and sales costs are falling, and break-even could come next year.

With eyewear brands' stocks falling, who will truly profit from the smart glasses boom: hardware makers or OS creators like Google?

As Google and Meta's smart glasses war heats up, will consumers be forced to choose a side, just like with smartphones?

Xreal's new glasses need a wired 'puck.' Is this a necessary compromise for power or a fatal flaw for mainstream adoption?