At the IFA 2026 trade show in Berlin (4–8 September), RayNeo and Xreal presented new generations of AR glasses, sharply dividing target audiences: the former aimed at a cinematic experience, the latter at multitasking with cloud computing. Both companies demonstrated fundamentally different approaches to spatial computing architectures.
RayNeo has deployed a market segmentation strategy: the GT series (GT and GT Max) for entertainment, the iO model for everyday AI work. The GT Max is equipped with 5,5-generation tandem micro-OLED with a field of view of 59 degrees and the Peacock Optical Engine 3.0 Max optical system — the result is a virtual screen ranging from 227 to 307 inches (depending on scaling). The GT uses a traditional Birdbath architecture with a 46-degree field of view and a screen up to 231 inches. This is the first AR glasses system to support Dolby Vision when connected to the dedicated Google TV streamer Pocket TV Pro — an innovation that RayNeo developed in collaboration with Dolby Laboratories. Spatial audio is tuned in partnership with Bang & Olufsen: four head-tracking speakers and a "Whisper" mode for reducing sound leakage by 80% provide a cinematic experience even in public places. The Zone 360 chip enables native 3DoF with three stabilization modes: Steady (for movement on the go), Pinned (fixation in 3D space), and Follow (smooth tracking of head movements).
The RayNeo iO is the antithesis of the GT series in philosophy. This minimalist device weighs just 33 grams and looks like ordinary glasses, but hides a monochrome waveguide display with a brightness of 1300 nits that remains invisible to those around you. The magnesium-aluminum body with titanium temples ensures durability, and the IP54 rating provides protection against dust and splashes. The iO has no camera: instead, a four-microphone array and a bone-conduction sensor allow speech recognition even in noisy environments. No compromises on functionality: support for 55 languages and 109 accents with a latency of one second, built-in AI for extracting action items from conversations, and integration with Google Gemini. The battery lasts up to two days. The GT and GT Max weigh 68 and 78 grams respectively, support three IPD sizes for physically aligning the optical centers with the distance between the pupils (S <64 мм, M 64–67 мм, L >67 mm) and come with prescription lens inserts.
The Xreal Aura embodies a radically different approach: distributing computation between lightweight glasses and a separate mobile "compute puck." The glasses contain an X1S coprocessor for managing the display (70° OST with two Sony Micro-OLED displays 1920×1200, 120 Hz) and sensors, while the separate computing module based on the Snapdragon Reality Elite platform weighs about 91 grams without the glasses. The puck runs Android XR, is equipped with 12–16 GB of RAM and 256–512 GB of storage; a 4455 mAh battery powers both the glasses and the puck. The Xreal Aura supports 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) for full spatial tracking plus hand tracking for controller-free interaction. The platform is deeply integrated with Google Gemini for a multimodal AI assistant. The lenses feature electrochromic dimming to adapt to lighting conditions. The Aura's price does not exceed $1500 (excluding taxes), with launch scheduled for fall 2026; the company is accepting reservations with a deposit of $99 (initially $199).
Pricing and availability. The RayNeo iO is available from September 4, 2026, at a price of $479 (or $529 with a protective case). The GT series: starting prices of $299 (GT) and $399 (GT Max) — among the most affordable in the cinematic AR glasses segment. All models are sold through the official RayNeo store and Amazon, covering 40 countries across six continents. The Pocket TV Pro (required for Dolby Vision) costs $199. Exact European prices and full battery specifications for the GT series have not yet been announced, reflecting the complexity of localization.
Market context. RayNeo demonstrates a leading position in the global market: the company ranked first in AR glasses shipments in the first half of 2026 according to Counterpoint Research (23,7% global share) and IDC, and is confirmed as the leader in the AR/AI segment in China according to CINNO Research, RUNTO, and AVC. Both companies were named laureates of the IFA 2026 innovation awards (RayNeo GT Max and iO received Honoree status). Xreal, for its part, was the first to release AR glasses running on Android XR in close collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, positioning it for leadership in the app ecosystem among AR devices.
In summary: The RayNeo GT Max with Pocket TV Pro delivers the most complete cinematic experience among the models presented, thanks to native Dolby Vision support and the widest field of view (59°). The Xreal Aura is the most autonomous solution with a separate computing module and support for the full range of Android apps, making it a versatile work tool. The market's split into specialized devices (rather than a universal "all-in-one") reflects the current state of spatial computing: the technology is still not mature enough to combine portability, power, and functionality without compromises.
