At this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Xiaomi revealed its latest prototype for commercial AR glasses, the Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition. With a weight of only 126 grams, this new device features a “retina-level” display, boasting 58 PPD (pixels per degree), which is just below the human threshold of perception at 60 PPD.
Xiaomi has used MicroLED screens with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits and free-form light-guiding prisms to recreate an image, while electrochromic lenses help to adjust viewing in different light conditions. The glasses even have a complete blackout mode for a fully immersive experience, similar to that of a VR headset.
Users can connect the new AR glasses wirelessly to their phone, but it must be a Xiaomi 13 series phone or any other Snapdragon Spaces-ready phone like the OnePlus 11. Using Xiaomi’s communication link, the device can achieve full link latency as low as 50ms.
Running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR 2 Gen 1 platform with support for the Snapdragon Spaces XR development platform, the AR glasses can run different applications. With the Mi Share’s application streaming capability, viewers can watch content through apps like TikTok and YouTube. Users can also rely on gestures to move around the interface and interact with real-life objects, such as turning on or off a smart lamp.
Although still a prototype, this new AR glasses device certainly looks promising. Smartphone companies continue to showcase their AR glasses, and Xiaomi’s domestic rival Oppo is also exhibiting its Air Glasses 2 at MWC. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Apple, which is reportedly unveiling its mixed reality headset at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June.
Apart from the AR glasses prototype, Xiaomi also launched other devices at the event, including the Xiaomi 13 Pro with a 1-inch camera sensor, along with the 13 and 13 lite. Additionally, the company announced the new Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro, and Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4.
