XREAL 1S AR Glasses: A Deep Dive into the Post-Launch Price Cut and Nintendo Switch 2 Support

The Surprise Strategy - Decoding the $100 Price Drop

A $100 discount, shifting the price from $549 to $449, so soon after a flagship unveiling is virtually unheard of. This move does more than just raise eyebrows; it sends a deliberate signal to the market and potential buyers.

Analysts point to a confluence of factors. First, the competitive landscape for consumer AR glasses is heating up. By aggressively lowering the entry point, XREAL applies immediate pressure on rivals and positions the 1S as a high-value leader. Second, it could be a play for rapid market share. In a nascent category, establishing a large, installed user base is often more valuable than maximizing early-adopter profit margins. This price cut effectively lowers the perceived financial risk for curious consumers, inviting them into the XREAL ecosystem.

Most importantly, it resets expectations. Dropping the price $50 below the launch price of its predecessor, the Xreal One, establishes a new, more accessible price floor for capable AR hardware in 2026. It asks a compelling question: should compelling spatial computing experiences start under the $500 mark? XREAL’s answer, delivered just days after launch, is a resounding "yes."

The Spatial Experience: X1 Chip, Specs, and Immersion

The price cut isn't a reflection of compromised hardware. The XREAL 1S arrives as a spec sheet powerhouse designed for immersion, projecting a staggering 500-inch virtual screen with a sharp 1200p Full HD resolution. A 52-degree field of view and 700 nits of peak brightness aim for clarity, while a 120Hz refresh rate in its 3DoF mode (with a 90Hz global default) targets smooth motion.

The true engine is the self-developed Xreal X1 spatial computing chip. This proprietary silicon powers the glasses' headline feature: "Real 3D." This isn't simple screen mirroring. The X1 chip actively converts standard 2D video or game content into a convincing 3D spatial scene, adding depth and dimension that traditional displays cannot replicate. It’s this processing muscle, coupled with a claimed head-tracking latency of just 3ms, that allows the 1S to transcend being a mere wearable monitor.

This capability is complemented by thoughtful software modes that tailor the experience. Users can choose how their virtual screen behaves: Screen Anchor locks it in a fixed position in space (3DoF), while Follow Mode allows it to move with the head. Control over immersion is handled by Clear, Shade, and Theatre modes, which digitally dim the real world to varying degrees.

A truly immersive experience is not just visual. Recognizing this, XREAL partnered with audio titan Bose, integrating a sound system co-developed with Bose. The "SOUND BY BOSE" branding promises rich, spatial audio that is crucial for selling the illusion of a virtual cinema or a game world extending around you, completing the sensory package.

The Portable Gaming Revolution - Switch 2, Steam Deck, and the Neo Hub

For the gaming community, one line in the spec sheet eclipses all others: claimed official support for the rumored Nintendo Switch 2. While Nintendo has yet to formally announce its next console—making the ultimate value of this feature contingent on the final hardware—XREAL’s confident declaration is a notable vote of confidence. It suggests a future where portable gaming transcends the handheld's physical screen, offering an immersive, heads-up display.

The gaming utility isn't locked in the future. For today's devices, XREAL introduced the Xreal Neo Hub. This accessory, with its robust 10,000 mAh battery, is the crucial bridge for current-gen portable consoles. It enables the original Nintendo Switch to output to the glasses at up to 1080p/120Hz, and the Steam Deck to push its full 1200p resolution. The Neo Hub, scheduled to ship in February 2026, is itself part of the aggressive pricing strategy, offered at a promotional price of $99 until February 4, 2026, before rising to $119.

The XREAL 1S presents a compelling three-part proposition: a premium private media viewer, a nascent spatial computer, and a potent portable gaming accessory. The shocking post-launch price drop aggressively removes a major barrier to entry, while the robust specs and future-facing claims of compatibility craft a package of notable value. For tech and gaming enthusiasts, XREAL is no longer just asking if AR is viable; with the 1S, they are making a calculated, aggressive argument for when it enters the mainstream conversation: now.