Asus-owned Republic of Gamers has announced a new partnership with augmented reality company Xreal, revealing gaming-focused smart glasses aimed at competitive players and portable setups.
The new ROG Xreal R1 glasses were unveiled during the company’s CES presentation and are positioned as a way to deliver a massive virtual display without a physical monitor, at a time when handheld and compact gaming systems continue to gain traction.
Republic of Gamers unveiled the Xreal R1 gaming glasses at CES 2026. Image: Republic of Gamers/Asus.
Designed to work seamlessly with the company’s own hardware while remaining broadly compatible, the R1 glasses bring high refresh rates and simplified connectivity to the growing AR gaming space.
Built for high-speed competitive play
The defining feature of the ROG Xreal R1 glasses is their 240 Hz refresh rate, a first for micro-OLED gaming glasses. Each eye uses a full HD micro-OLED panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, supplied by Sony. The high refresh rate is paired with low motion latency of about 3 milliseconds, helping fast-paced games remain smooth and responsive during quick head movements.
The glasses project a virtual screen that appears up to 171 inches in size when viewed from about 13 feet away. This screen fills most of the user’s field of view thanks to its 57-degree field of view. The system supports both Anchor and Follow viewing modes, allowing the virtual display to stay fixed in space or move with the user’s perspective.
Despite the advanced hardware, the glasses remain lightweight. At 91 grams, they are designed for extended gaming sessions without causing discomfort, even when worn for several hours.
Simple connections across multiple devices
Ease of use is central to the ROG Xreal R1 design. The glasses connect directly to the ROG Ally handheld gaming device using a single USB-C cable. No external power source or separate setup process is required, allowing the Ally’s small built-in screen to transform into a giant virtual display instantly.
Beyond Asus’ handheld, the R1 glasses are compatible with phones, laptops, desktop PCs, and major gaming consoles. For more complex setups, Asus includes support for the ROG Control Dock.
Image: Asus.
This accessory adds HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, allowing you to connect devices such as the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and Windows PCs, then switch between them with a button press. While this flexibility benefits desk-based players, it is less suited to relaxed couch gaming.
Adaptive visuals and immersive audio
The lenses use electrochromic technology to adjust their tint automatically or on demand. When users focus on the virtual screen, the lenses darken to improve contrast. When they look away, the lenses become clearer, allowing the surrounding environment to remain visible. Three manual transparency levels are also available to handle different lighting conditions.
Built-in Bose-tuned speakers handle audio. The system delivers spatial sound designed to enhance in-game awareness, making it easier to pinpoint directional cues like footsteps or explosions without external headphones.
As noted in a recent review of earlier Xreal hardware, the controls remain straightforward. Screen size and distance can be adjusted with a few button presses, and the electrochromic tint can be changed instantly. Even wearable sceptics may find the experience compelling.
Asus confirmed that the ROG Xreal R1 glasses will ship globally in the first half of 2026. The company has not yet disclosed official pricing.
However, expectations are that the R1 will cost more than the current Xreal 1S glasses, which retail for $449 in the US, reflecting the higher refresh rate and gaming-focused features.