Google I/O 2025: Xreal's Project Aura are the second pair of smart glasses to run Google's Android XR Operating System
Xreal announced Project Aura, a new pair of
extended reality
(XR)
smart glasses
running
's
Android XR operating system
, at Google's I/O 2025 conference on Tuesday. This marks only the second official device to use Google's XR platform following Samsung's Project Moohan headset announced earlier this year.
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The lightweight "optical see-through" glasses represent a significant partnership between Google, Xreal, and Qualcomm as tech giants race to establish dominance in the emerging XR space. While few technical specifications were released, Xreal confirmed the glasses will utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR chips specifically designed for XR hardware.
"By combining our platform with XREAL's leadership in portable XR hardware, we're expanding spatial experiences to OST form-factors that are truly intuitive and accessible, representing a pivotal moment in our ecosystem," said Hugo Swart, Google's Senior Director of XR Ecosystem, in a press release.
Google positions Android XR to compete with Meta and Apple
The strategic partnership positions Google to challenge Meta and Apple in the XR market. For Google, securing more devices on Android XR increases the platform's appeal to developers building applications for these new computing devices. Meanwhile, Xreal gains access to cutting-edge technology and Google's marketing power.
Unlike bulky headsets like Apple's $3,500 Vision Pro, Project Aura maintains Xreal's focus on lightweight, tethered devices that connect to other hardware to run.
Product renders show what appear to be cameras in the hinges and nose bridge, along with microphones and control buttons in the temples.
Xreal CEO Chi Xu called the collaboration "a breakthrough moment for real-world XR," highlighting the merger of Google's platform, Qualcomm's chipsets, and Xreal's optical expertise.
Further details about Project Aura will be revealed at the Augmented World Expo in early June, with no pricing or release timeline currently announced.
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