Lightweight AR Glasses and Stunning Portable Projectors in 2026

This July brought a wave of exciting new gadgets for tech fans. From augmented reality glasses to portable projectors and handheld gaming devices, there was a lot to see. One standout was the Xreal XBX a01+ AR glasses, a lightweight pair packed with bright, vivid visuals.
The Xreal XBX a01+ weighs just 62 grams. That’s lighter than many sunglasses. One reviewer called it “Holy crap, these are light.” The glasses offer a huge virtual screen, about 147 inches in size. That’s like watching a giant cinema screen right in front of your eyes.
What really makes the XBX a01+ special is its micro-OLED lenses. They reach a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. That’s bright enough for clear, bold colors even in well-lit rooms. The glasses refresh their image at 120Hz and provide a 50-degree field of view. This combination creates smooth, immersive visuals.
The glasses have fourteen steps of brightness adjustment and several viewing profiles. They can mirror content from phones, computers, or portable gaming devices. However, they don’t support Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. And just to be clear, the XBX a01+ has no connection to Xbox despite the name.
The design is slim and easy to wear. One reviewer noted it feels almost as light as oversized sunglasses. Also, it doesn’t require charging like some other AR or VR headsets. This makes it convenient for long use, even at the end of a tiring day.
Even Realities G2 Smart Glasses
The G2 smart glasses from Even Realities also drew attention. They weigh even less, at just 35 grams, and offer a 1,200-nit display. The display area is 75% larger than the previous G1 model. These glasses last up to two days on a single charge, thanks to a strong battery.
The G2 glasses include UV protection and act as a digital assistant. They help with schedules, reminders, and notes. Features like Translate, Teleprompt, and Navigate improve daily use. Plus, they include an assistant called Even AI. The screen has manual brightness adjustment but no automatic sensor.
The glasses come with the R1 ring controller, which costs $249. This ring tracks health data like heart rate, calories, steps, sleep, and blood oxygen levels (SpO2). Together, the G2 glasses and R1 ring create a smart wearable system designed for convenience and health.
Portable Projectors with 4K and HDR
Alongside smart glasses, two new portable projectors made waves. The Asus OLED Ally X and the Elfin Flip 4K both offer bright, sharp images and gaming features.
The OLED Ally X costs $1,000 and features a 7.4-inch OLED screen with 1,400 nits of peak brightness. It uses a triple laser engine and a 4K-capable chip. This projector can output 1,600 ANSI lumens, making images pop with a contrast ratio of 20,000:1. It supports HDR10 and HLG but not Dolby Vision or HDR10+. Its built-in Google TV gives access to apps like Netflix and YouTube. A Harman Kardon 7-watt speaker with Dolby Audio enhances sound. It supports 1080p gaming at 120 frames per second with variable refresh rate and 1ms latency. It weighs 3.4 pounds and can project images up to 400 inches.
The Elfin Flip 4K is similarly priced at $999 and also weighs 3.4 pounds. It features a 4K laser projector with a 150-degree tilt stand. The projector reaches about 1,550 ANSI lumens in its brightest mode. It supports HDR10 and HLG, with a contrast ratio of 20,000:1 when DBLE is off. Like the Ally X, it includes a Harman Kardon 7-watt speaker and Dolby Audio support. It also handles 1080p gaming at 120 fps with VRR and 1ms latency. Unlike the Ally X, the Elfin Flip 4K lacks an internal battery, so it isn’t portable without a power source. It can also project images up to 400 inches.
July 2026 clearly showed the tech world pushing the limits of display brightness, portability, and smart features. Whether you want a lightweight AR headset or a powerful projector for gaming and movies, there are great new options this year.
Based on
- Xreal XBX a01+ review: Astoundingly bright, lightweight AR glasses for $299 — engadget.com
- Smart glasses without a camera? Even Realities bets productivity beats recording everyone | TechCrunch — techcrunch.com
- The OLED Xbox Ally X20 is so good, Asus will sell it solo | The Verge — theverge.com
- I tried the Asus AR glasses with the OLED Ally — they felt extraneous. | The Verge — theverge.com
- XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K Review: An Ultra-Portable Laser Projector With Sharp Video Quality — engadget.com




