TCL RayNeo X3 Pro: The Future of AR Smart Glasses? | Image Source: www.techradar.com
BARCELONA, Spain, 09 March 2025 – The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona has always been a meeting point for advanced technologies, and this year has been no different. Among the many innovative devices presented, the latest TCL smart glasses, the RayNeo X3 Pro, have attracted attention. Initially introduced into CES 2025, these augmented reality glasses (AR) offer an advanced alternative to conventional smart glasses such as Meta Ray-Bans. Unlike Meta’s lack of screen projections, TCL X3 Pro integrates waveguide technology, leading a digital layer to real-life experiences.
How does the TCL RayNeo X3 Pro screen work?
One of the strengths of the RayNeo X3 Pro is its microLED wave guidance screen. The glasses have a maximum brightness of 2,500 nits, which ensures high visibility even in bright outdoor environments. The screen projects digital content directly onto the lenses, creating an immersive AR experience. Although MWC’s practical tests were limited to internal conditions, the first impressions suggest that the screen is well positioned in the user’s field of vision, thus improving user friendliness without hindering natural vision.
What makes the camera and the AI features confused?
The X3 Pro incorporates a front camera capable of real-time translation and object recognition, powered by artificial intelligence. During a live demo on MWC, the glasses translated the foreign text into French instantly. However, due to noise levels in the conference room, it was difficult to test AI-induced conversation translation. In addition, the Integrated Assistant to the CEW, currently serving in Chinese, is expected to support English when ships are released worldwide by mid-May 2025 at a cost of approximately $2,000.
Is this TCL RayNeo X3 Pro comfortable to use?
By weighing only 3 ounces, the RayNeo X3 Pro is significantly lighter than its predecessors. However, despite its reduction in volume, they still seem a little oversized when used. Smart glasses have gesture controls on their arms, allowing users to interact with the interface effortlessly. These key-based controls were reported to be highly responsible for MWC testing, a significant improvement over previous ARglasses.
What about battery life and performance?
Battery life remains a critical concern for smart AR glasses. During the MWC demonstrations, the X3 Pro showed remarkable battery drainage, especially when using AI-driven features. When the battery level fell to 10%, key features such as AI translation and camera usage were disabled. Although TCL has not yet revealed the official battery specifications, greater optimization will be essential to ensure practical daily use.
How is the RayNeo Air 3 compared?
With the high-end X3 Pro, TCL’s sub-brand RayNeo introduced the RayNeo Air 3s, a more affordable XR smart eyewear model to launch in April 2025 at only 259. Unlike the X3 Pro, which focuses on AR, Air 3 serves as a portable screen, projecting content from compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles. The glasses have a maximum brightness of 650 nits, a larger eye box to improve clarity, and a 76g light frame. They also have built-in speakers with superior audio quality, addressing the problems of common sound leaks found in previous models.
Smart glass compatible with budget Finally here?
Smart glasses have been historically expensive, with most price models around $400 or more. The RayNeo Air 3s, however, offers solid specifications at a fraction of the cost, making it an attractive option for consumers looking to explore Extended Reality Technology (XR). With its Full-HD resolution, improved contrast and an audio increase of 200% compared to its predecessor, Air 3 could interrupt the market for smart entry-level goggles.
Both RayNeo X3 Pro and RayNeo Air 3 represent TCL’s commitment to pushing the limits of usable technology. While the X3 Pro offers a premium AR experience, the Air 3 offers an affordable XR entrance door, serving a wider audience. As the smart eyewear market continues to evolve, TCL’s latest offerings could set new standards for functionality, accessibility and user experience.
