RayNeo Air 3s Pro AR Glasses Review: A Meaningful Usability Upgrade for Already Stellar Glasses

The RayNeo Air 3s Pro represents the latest evolution in affordable augmented reality glasses, building upon the solid foundation established by the Air 3s with a meaningful upgrade that addresses one of the most common complaints about AR wearables: visibility in bright environments.

Design and Build Quality

Aesthetically, the Air 3s Pro maintains the same silhouette as its predecessor, with the primary visual distinction being a dark grey plastic finish on the temples featuring a subtle shimmering effect. This cosmetic change aside, the glasses retain the same lightweight profile at just 2.68 ounces (76 grams), making them comfortable for extended wear sessions.

The build quality remains a mixed bag. The plastic construction, while contributing to the impressive weight savings, still feels somewhat cheap to the touch, particularly around the lens frames where the graining is noticeable. This cost-cutting approach has its benefits, but it's clear that RayNeo prioritized weight reduction over premium materials.

Display Technology

The headline upgrade is the new Micro-OLED displays, which now deliver a maximum brightness of 1,200 nits—nearly double the 650 nits of the Air 3s. This increase is immediately noticeable during real-world use, particularly when viewing content with ambient light present.

RayNeo has incorporated its HueView 2.0 screen technology, though this doesn't translate to improvements in color coverage. The displays still achieve 145 percent sRGB and 98 percent DCI-P3 coverage, matching the Air 3s. The 3,840 Hz DC+PWM "OptiCare" dimming system carries over, along with the maximum 120 Hz refresh rate and a native contrast ratio of 200,000:1.

Real-World Performance

Testing across multiple devices—including an iPad Air (M4), MacBook Air (M4), Mac mini (M4), and Lenovo Legion Go—revealed that the brightness increase genuinely enhances usability. In a living room setting with window blinds open, the image remained clear and vibrant even when looking directly at the window. The increased brightness reduces the need for external light blockers, though RayNeo still doesn't include these in the box.

Outdoor use remains challenging despite the brightness boost. Direct sunlight still overwhelms the displays, highlighting the absence of electrochromic dimming technology or included light blockers. For indoor use, however, the Air 3s Pro performs admirably, delivering a "big screen" experience that RayNeo claims simulates up to a 201-inch display at 6 meters.

Audio Experience

The four-speaker audio system, mounted on the temples, delivers clear and vibrant sound with a hint of bass. While the physical constraints of the form factor limit bass response, RayNeo has struck a reasonable balance between audio quality and the practical limitations of integrating speakers into a wearable device.

Accessories and Packaging

RayNeo has made a curious decision regarding the carrying case. The company has switched from a hard zipper case with a carrying loop to a felt-style case with a button closure. This new case feels less substantial and is bulkier than its predecessor, representing a step backward in both quality and practicality.

The package still includes a USB-C to USB-C cable, cleaning cloth, and a frame for prescription lens inserts, maintaining the accessory package from the Air 3s.

Value Proposition

At $299, the Air 3s Pro maintains the compelling value proposition of its predecessor. This pricing positions it as a strong alternative to higher-priced competitors like the Xreal One, which costs an additional $150. For users seeking an entry point into AR glasses without breaking the bank, the Air 3s Pro offers considerable value.

Verdict

The RayNeo Air 3s Pro isn't a revolutionary product, but it represents a thoughtful evolution of an already solid design. The brightness increase to 1,200 nits is the most significant improvement, addressing a genuine pain point for AR glasses users. However, the lack of included light blockers, unchanged build quality, and the downgrade in the carrying case case prevent this from being a complete home run.

For existing Air 3s owners, the upgrade may not be compelling enough to justify the purchase. For newcomers to AR glasses, however, the Air 3s Pro offers an excellent balance of performance, comfort, and value that's hard to beat in this price segment.

The RayNeo Air 3s Pro delivers on its promise of improved visibility while maintaining the core strengths that made its predecessor appealing. It's a refinement rather than a reinvention, but sometimes that's exactly what a product category needs.