ASUS Made Big Screen Glasses For Gamers

Key Takeaways

• ASUS has partnered with XRE to create the ROG XXRel R1 gaming glasses, featuring dual 1920x1080 micro OLED displays with 0.1ms response times
• The glasses offer a 57-degree field of view that creates a virtual 171-inch display experience at 700 nits brightness with electrochromic dimming
• Gaming-specific features include 240Hz refresh rate (up from 120Hz), RGB lighting, customizable crosshairs, FPS counters, and gaming monitor features
• A specialized dock provides connectivity for devices without full-featured USB-C outputs, supporting two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort input
• Privacy is a major advantage, allowing users to consume content without others seeing what's on screen
• ASUS recommends limiting usage to 30-40 minutes initially to allow for adjustment and prevent eye strain or discomfort

Revolutionary Display Technology Meets Gaming

Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips recently showcased ASUS's latest innovation in wearable display technology: the ROG XXRel R1 gaming glasses. This collaboration between ASUS and XRE represents a significant step forward in bringing large-screen gaming experiences to a portable, wearable format.

The foundation of these gaming glasses lies in their impressive display technology. Each lens houses a 1920x1080 micro OLED panel, delivering crisp visuals with lightning-fast 0.1-millisecond response times. This near-instantaneous response eliminates the motion blur and ghosting that can plague traditional displays, making them particularly well-suited for fast-paced gaming scenarios.

Enhanced Visual Experience

The glasses create what ASUS describes as a 171-inch virtual display experience through a 57-degree field of view. At 700 nits of brightness, the displays remain clearly visible even in well-lit environments. The electrochromic dimming feature automatically adjusts the transparency of the lenses, allowing users to seamlessly transition between focusing on the virtual display and seeing their real-world surroundings.

This adaptive dimming technology proves particularly useful in office environments or shared spaces, where users might need to quickly acknowledge colleagues or navigate their physical environment while wearing the glasses.

Gaming-Specific Enhancements

What distinguishes the ROG XXRel R1 from standard AR glasses is its gaming-focused feature set. ASUS has upgraded the refresh rate from the standard 120Hz to 240Hz, matching high-end gaming monitors. This higher refresh rate provides smoother motion rendering, crucial for competitive gaming where every frame can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Gaming Monitor Features in Wearable Form

ASUS has incorporated several features borrowed from their gaming monitor lineup. Users can add customizable crosshairs for improved aiming precision in first-person shooters, and an integrated FPS counter helps monitor system performance. These features cater specifically to serious gamers who want detailed performance metrics and competitive advantages.

The RGB lighting strip along the side adds the aesthetic flair that gaming enthusiasts expect from ROG products, though it serves more of a visual branding purpose than functional gaming enhancement.

Connectivity and Compatibility Solutions

The Gaming Dock Advantage

Recognizing that many gaming devices lack the full-featured USB-C connectivity required for these advanced displays, ASUS developed a specialized dock. This hub features two HDMI inputs, one DisplayPort input, and power delivery, making it compatible with gaming consoles, desktop computers, and other devices that wouldn't normally support such displays directly.

Linus demonstrated the glasses working with various devices, from handheld gaming systems like the ROG Xbox to desktop gaming rigs. The dock's versatility ensures that users aren't limited by their device's native connectivity options.

Practical Applications and Use Cases

Mobile Gaming Revolution

For handheld gaming enthusiasts, these glasses transform the experience entirely. Instead of squinting at a small screen during long gaming sessions, users can enjoy what feels like a large monitor display while maintaining portability. This proves especially valuable for travel gaming or situations where setting up a traditional monitor isn't practical.

Privacy-First Gaming

One of the most compelling features is the privacy aspect. In public spaces, offices, or shared living situations, users can game or work without others seeing their screen content. With the speakers turned low or off entirely, the experience becomes completely private, opening up possibilities for confidential work or personal entertainment in otherwise restrictive environments.

Desktop Gaming Flexibility

While not replacing traditional monitors for serious competitive gaming, the glasses offer an alternative for casual gaming sessions. Users can lean back in their chairs or even lie down while gaming, with the display following their head movement or remaining anchored in space based on their preference.

Display Modes and User Experience

Adaptive Display Positioning

The glasses offer multiple display modes to suit different use cases. Follow mode keeps the virtual screen centered in the user's field of view regardless of head movement, ideal for active scenarios. Anchor mode locks the display in a fixed position in space, creating a more traditional monitor-like experience.

Linus noted that while follow mode prevents the screen from moving out of view, some users might experience discomfort similar to stereoscopic 3D headaches. The anchor mode provides a more stable viewing experience for extended use.

Visual Quality Assessment

Despite "only" offering 1080p resolution per eye, the visual quality impressed during testing. At the equivalent viewing distance and size, the display quality matched what users would expect from a traditional 1080p monitor. The OLED technology provides excellent contrast and color reproduction, though HDR support is not currently available.

Physical Design and Comfort

Lightweight Construction

Weighing just 91 grams, the glasses remain comfortable for extended wear. The lightweight design is achieved by using tethered power rather than integrated batteries, reducing bulk while ensuring consistent power delivery for optimal performance.

Customizable Fit

ASUS includes multiple nose pad sizes to accommodate different face shapes, and the glasses feature adjustable hinges for optimal positioning. A dedicated frame allows users to add prescription lenses, making the technology accessible to users who require vision correction.

Audio Integration

Bose-tuned speakers provide decent audio quality without requiring additional headphones. However, users can easily pair Bluetooth audio devices with their source device for a more immersive or private audio experience.

Current Limitations and Considerations

Health and Safety Recommendations

ASUS and XRE recommend limiting initial usage sessions to 30-40 minutes to allow users' eyes and vestibular systems to adjust to the technology. Some users may experience eye strain, headaches, or nausea, similar to reactions some people have with VR headsets.

Technical Limitations

Current limitations include the lack of HDR support and the need for tethered connectivity. The glasses also require compatible source devices and may not work optimally with all gaming systems without the included dock.

Market Position and Future Availability

ASUS has not yet announced pricing for the ROG XXRel R1 gaming glasses, making it difficult to assess their value proposition. The company plans to release the glasses bundled with the dock in Q2 2024, though standalone glasses without the dock may not be available immediately.

The gaming glasses represent ASUS's entry into the emerging wearable display market, positioning the company to compete with other AR and VR gaming solutions while offering a unique middle ground between traditional monitors and fully immersive VR headsets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long can you safely wear the ASUS ROG XXRel R1 gaming glasses?

ASUS recommends limiting initial usage sessions to 30-40 minutes to allow your eyes and body to adjust to the technology. Some users may experience eye strain, headaches, or nausea similar to VR sickness, so it's important to take regular breaks and gradually increase usage time as your body adapts.

Q: Do the gaming glasses work with all gaming consoles and devices?

The glasses work with devices that have compatible connectivity, but many gaming devices lack the necessary full-featured USB-C output. That's why ASUS includes a specialized dock with two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort input, making the glasses compatible with gaming consoles, desktop computers, and other devices that wouldn't normally support them directly.

Q: What makes these glasses specifically designed for gaming compared to regular AR glasses?

The ROG XXRel R1 features several gaming-specific enhancements including a 240Hz refresh rate (upgraded from the standard 120Hz), RGB lighting, customizable crosshairs for improved aiming, FPS counters, and other gaming monitor features. These additions cater to serious gamers who want competitive advantages and performance monitoring.

Q: Can you use prescription lenses with the ASUS gaming glasses?

Yes, ASUS includes a dedicated lens frame that allows users to add prescription lenses to the gaming glasses. The glasses also come with multiple nose pad sizes to accommodate different face shapes and ensure a comfortable, secure fit for extended gaming sessions.