Whereas these would possibly appear like sun shades, the TCL RayNeo Air 2S hides two attractive OLED screens beneath them. Whereas they’re not the primary pair of AR glasses we’ve checked out, they’re definitely among the many greatest.
The TCL Rayneo Air 2S is an iterative replace on the RayNeo Air 2, possessing most of the identical core specs, with key quality-of-life upgrades that make day by day operation a breeze.
After spending per week testing the gadget for its high quality when related to gaming handhelds, Pocket TVs, and streaming video games, I’m smitten. AR Glasses are right here to remain, and so they’re higher than ever.
Key specs
- Display: MicroOLED
- Decision: 1920×1080 per-eye in 2D, 3840 x 1080 in 3D
- Brightness: As much as 600 nits
- Distinction ratio: 100,000:1
- Subject-of-View: 46-degrees
- Refresh price: 60-120Hz
- Projected picture: 201-inches
- Options: Audio system, OSD features, three display screen modes
- Weight: 76g
- Worth: $399
Execs
Cons
Light-weight
Robust to suit appropriately
Nice audio system
Will get heat after extended use
Carry case is a good addition
Abberation makes textual content troublesome to learn
Picture high quality rivals an OLED TV
Availability
The TCL RayNeo Air 2S is up for pre-order till August 14, and releases formally on August 15. Pre-orders are reside now on the RayNeo web site.
Design
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On the floor, the TCL RayNeo Air 2S seems to be like a thick pair of sun shades, however, there’s way more to it than meets the attention. Every of the left and proper stems homes important buttons for quantity, features, and brightness, whereas a USB-C port to the fitting with an angled connection serves as your show enter port.
Every of the stems has a three-stage hinge, the place you’ll be able to regulate the angle of the lenses. The entrance of the glasses has a fascia that appears like an extra-thick set of Ray-Bans. However inside, it homes a small plastic housing with a put on sensor at its heart. Beneath is a bit of glass, which displays a pair of MicroOLED screens.
There’s area for prescription lenses right here, afforded by an alternate bridge upon your nostril, too. The entire unit is encased in black and silver plastic, which can to not be everybody’s style.
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The general look is an uncanny-valley Ray-Ban, which sits barely additional away out of your head than a standard pair of sun shades. Don’t count on to be impressed with the visible aptitude of the unit, however its utility is simple.
There may be an included carry case this time round, which may match all of the cables and equipment you’ll be able to think about, which is a pleasant step up from the unique mannequin.
Options
The precise utility of those glasses is to challenge no matter sign is coming in from the USB-C port, and to the MicroOLED screens. These are, in a phrase, unbelievable. However, to get there, you’ll have to seek out the right match first when placing the glasses on.
That is greatest executed when you have a sign working into the glasses. From there, you’ll be able to regulate every stem, in addition to the nostril bridge for one of the best match. It will possibly take a minute or two to get them to sit down proper, however as soon as they’re on, it feels nice.
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Simply observe that the massive projected picture nonetheless suffers from the identical points famous in my overview of the earlier mannequin: aberration on the edges. This makes the textual content troublesome to learn on the fringes.
One of many largest new additions that the TCL Rayneo Air 2S affords is the on-screen show, the place you’ll be able to configure audio system, coloration temperatures, and refresh price. I’d have preferred to have seen an choice right here the place you’ll be able to regulate the projection measurement, which is disappointing.
Upgraded audio system
Certainly one of my largest bugbears with the earlier mannequin was the lackluster audio system, and due to some changes, these have been massively improved. Sounds are fuller and bassier in all the fitting methods, and so they even have a “whisper” listening mode, the place the folks round you’ll barely hear what you might be watching or enjoying.
Taking part in video games or watching exhibits through Crunchyroll was a deal with, and as long as you may have one thing these can plug into, you need to be golden. Although, I do suggest that you simply check out Rayneo’s Pocket TV accent, which is custom-built for use with their glasses.
RayNeo Pocket TV overview
RayNeo additionally despatched over the Pocket TV, which is the brains of a Google TV with a 6,500 mAh battery, some perform buttons, and a microSD port. That is successfully an Android machine optimized to your display screen with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It additionally massively will increase the utility of your glasses, however they’re a separate buy and value $179.99.
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In idea, you probably have a supported Android cellphone or pill, you’ll not want this, however the Pocket TV homes a software program characteristic that allows you to regulate the display screen measurement to your liking, which may remove the aberration from the glasses totally.
To me, it makes the price of entry worthwhile totally. At an 85% display screen measurement, content material was completely sized and sharp, and the advantage of it being a single wire to the glasses meant I took it round all over the place throughout my week of testing. They’re a killer combo, and final for as much as round 5 hours of steady use.
Viewing expertise
When related to an acceptable supply, just like the Ayaneo Air 1S or Steam Deck, the TCL Rayneo Air 2S’s wonderful MicroOLED shows supplied up true blacks, with a crisp show that instantly seems to be simply pretty much as good because the OLED TV in my front room. For gaming workloads, the 120Hz refresh price setting labored like a dream, making video games like Hades 2 and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising sing.
I’ve additionally spent an excellent period of time binging Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds utilizing the glasses and didn’t really feel like I missed out on any type of 4K decision bump right here.
You may also join the glasses as much as your PC for a spatial expertise, however this stays fairly underbaked in comparison with the likes of a Quest 3. We’re nonetheless a good distance off from cramming the technical greatness of a VR headset into this type issue, however it affords a glimpse at what the longer term might be, and it may possibly’t come quickly sufficient.
Verdict – 4/5
These are a notable step up from the unique mannequin. Nevertheless, I’d have nonetheless liked to have seen an adjustable display screen measurement choice on the menu. It feels as if we’re getting nearer and nearer to the perfect AR glasses, and as soon as they’re absolutely oven-ready for mass-market consumption, this section has the potential to exchange your major residence shows.
However for now, it’s a step in the fitting path, and any early adopters to this fledgling market gained’t be disillusioned with this no-frills funding.
Must you purchase it?
In case you are repeatedly kicked off of the principle TV in the home (like me) or haven’t any area for a giant TV you probably have a smaller residing area, The TCL RayNeo Air 2S is a viable alternative to your major show. Simply bear in mind that over extended use, the unit can heat up.
