For developers and tech professionals tethered to multi-monitor workstations, the promise of augmented reality (AR) glasses has often felt like science fiction. That is, until now. After a month of rigorous testing—spanning flights, commutes, and home offices—the Xreal One Pro XR glasses have delivered a revelation: a portable, 200-inch virtual screen that could make physical monitors obsolete. Priced at $649 and leveraging a proprietary X1 spatial computing chip, these glasses represent a quantum leap in usability for augmented reality, blending productivity and entertainment in a single USB-C-connected device.

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The Xreal One Pro's flat prism optics enable a best-in-class 57-degree field of view. Credit: Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The Tech Powering the Revolution

At the heart of the One Pro is Xreal's custom X1 chip, which eliminates the need for third-party software to enable advanced functionalities like ultra-wide screen mode. Unlike competitors requiring apps such as SpaceWalker, the One Pro offers plug-and-play compatibility with devices like MacBooks and Surface Pros. The optical system uses flat prism technology to achieve a 57-degree field of view—currently the widest in consumer AR—paired with Bose-engineered open-ear audio. This combination creates an immersive environment where spreadsheets, code editors, and video streams float in a stabilized virtual space.

For multitaskers, the glasses' anchor mode locks windows in position, reducing motion blur during head movements. A simple button press cycles through transparency modes (clear, shaded, theater), while double-tapping accesses intuitive menus for adjusting screen size and distance. As noted in the ZDNET review: 'Using these glasses is better than the three monitors in my office... I can get that multitasking experience through a simple USB-C cable.'

Productivity Meets Practicality

Where the One Pro truly shines is in transforming constrained workspaces. Developers on the go can unfold a sprawling IDE or terminal across the equivalent of triple monitors, with all apps retaining their positions between sessions. The optional $99 Xreal Eye accessory adds six degrees of freedom (6DoF), enabling Vision Pro-style persistent workspaces. Though the accessory's camera functionality feels nascent, its 6DoF support underscores Xreal's focus on utility over gimmicks.

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The Xreal One Pro's design includes adjustable temple angles and multiple nose pads for extended wear. Credit: Xreal

Comfort is critical for all-day coding, and the 87-gram frame—with three nose pad sizes and adjustable temples—proved fatigue-free during eight-hour stints. However, the reliance on personalized lens inserts (for prescription users) limits shareability, a trade-off for visual precision. Audio quality, while impressive for open-ear speakers, falls short in noisy environments, necessitating headphones for focused work.

Why This Matters for the Industry

The One Pro isn't just another AR curiosity—it signals a shift toward practical spatial computing. By undercutting premium headsets like Apple Vision Pro on price while offering superior FOV and plug-and-play simplicity, Xreal targets a pain point for remote professionals: portable, high-fidelity screen real estate. As hybrid work evolves, tools that decouple productivity from physical hardware will become indispensable. The implications extend beyond individual users; enterprises could deploy these for streamlined developer setups or collaborative environments.

Yet challenges remain. The $649 price point, though justified by the tech, is steep for widespread adoption. And while the X1 chip is a marvel, developers may crave SDK access to build custom integrations. Still, as AR glasses mature from novelty to necessity, the One Pro sets a high bar—proving that the future of work might just be a headset away.