Xreal Beam Pro Review: this is how you should control AR specs

If you’ve ever tried to use a pair of AR specs, you’ll know that they’re not quite there yet. For the most part, they’ll mirror your smartphone. And the main use? Consuming content. Apple’s Vision Pro does the best job at adding virtual elements to reality, but it’s a full-blown headset. So for AR to get better it needs software. And the best way to power this? An external device that acts as a controller – so you don’t lose the slim glasses form factor. Enter Xreal’s Beam Pro.

Earlier this year, I shared my first impressions of the Xreal Beam Pro. Now, I’ve had a few months with the AR controller, and I must say this gadget is a bit of a mixed bag. The Beam Pro promised to help make AR glasses more useful, but, as with most things, reality isn’t quite so simple.

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not completely writing off this device. Far from it. It’s got plenty of charm and I see the potential, but for now it ever so slightly falls short of being the ultimate AR sidekick we’ve been waiting for. Here’s how this smartphone/AR device controller stacks up.

What is the Xreal Beam Pro?

So, what exactly is the Beam Pro? It’s not quite a phone, though it’s certainly trying to be one. This little box is designed to control all of Xreal’s AR glasses, so that includes Xreal’s Air, Air 2, Air 2 Pro and Air 2 Ultra.

The goal here is to eliminate the need for a separate device, like your phone or laptop. Basically, it’s a standalone Android device with a custom AR interface that feels like a cross between a trackpad and a very small tablet. And yet, it’s not quite either of those things.

Design: Chunky but funky

Let’s get this out of the way – the Xreal Beam Pro is chunky. It’s noticeably thicker than the smartphone you’re probably carrying around, so don’t expect it to slip easily into your pocket.

However, the black and white colour scheme with red accents does redeem it a bit – it’s not all bad in the looks department. In fact, it’s a rather fun design, which is something I’ve come to expect from Xreal. It’s a functional, slightly awkward-looking box with two USB-C ports and two spatial cameras for stereoscopic 3D recording – just like the new iPhone 16s.

It’s more practical than pretty, but considering what it’s trying to do, that might be a fair trade-off. The device is built solidly for $199/£189, which adds to its appeal if you like your tech to feel a bit hefty.

Features: Standalone hero

The Beam Pro is essentially a standalone Android device (it’s not quite a smartphone, so I won’t call it one), complete with its own custom AR launcher, Google Play Store, and a unique recording app for the spatial cameras. And yes, those two USB-C ports are handy for keeping your AR experience going without battery anxiety – letting you stay plugged in to the wall, while your glasses are connected.

The inclusion of Google Play services is a major win – it feels like a proper tech device rather than a niche controller. Of course, that gives you the Google Play Store and every app on it. That’s a great win for getting your hands on all the top streaming platforms. Plus, you get Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia G-Force Now, Amazon Luna, and Steam Link for game streaming, alongside tons of other games.

One of its standout features is the 3D recording, courtesy of the two cameras on the back. It lets you watch back your videos with a 3D effect, making them more immersive. It’s not groundbreaking by any stretch (resolution is often not quite there), but it’s definitely fun to play around with. The Beam Pro runs a skinned version of Android called NebulaOS, which tries to make everything run smoothly in the AR environment.

However, things don’t always work perfectly. Despite the fairly robust feature set, the Beam Pro starts to show its limitations when it comes to multitasking. Push it too hard – switching between apps or using it for anything more intensive – and you’ll notice it struggles a bit. It’s also worth noting that the Beam Pro can’t seamlessly switch to other Xreal devices when connected – you’ll need to unplug the device and re-plug it into another set of AR glasses, and then go through the whole boot-up experience again.

Usability: Phone-free but burdened with another device

Unlike previous Xreal Beam controllers that just bridge the gap to your phone, this lets you keep all your AR content on one device, so your phone is still accessible. This is where things get interesting.

The Beam Pro is meant to free your phone from AR duties, allowing you to leave your main device uninhibited when mirroring content or controlling apps. That’s a big selling point, especially if you’re as annoyed as I am by AR setups that force your phone into a secondary controller role. With the Beam Pro, you can pin videos in virtual space and control them using a large trackpad-style interface.

I’m a little mixed about this. On the one hand, I like having my phone free to reply to messages when they come in. You also don’t have to worry about using dongles and adapters if your phone doesn’t have a USB-C port, because you’ve got this dedicated AR device. But I’m equally left wondering if this couldn’t just be an app you download to your existing phone.

That trackpad, though – it’s a bit hit or miss. While I appreciate the simplicity, the glass panel is completely textureless, which makes one-handed control less intuitive. It’s not the best for playing games, where you really need buttons or joysticks. In such cases, you’re better off connecting a wireless game controller, like an Xbox or PlayStation wireless controller, via Bluetooth. Beam Pro also supports the virtual on-screen controller for the Xbox app and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

On top of that, the gesture control tracking is a little unreliable compared to other systems like the Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro. Rather than tracking your hands, it follows the Beam Pro around – like a point and click controller.

Battery life can be a little hit or miss. The Beam Pro’s juice drains quicker than I’d like when you start pushing it. If I’m doing something a little lighter, such as just watching a show, it tends to eke out a little longer.

Xreal Beam Pro verdict

The Xreal Beam Pro is a fun gadget with potential, but it’s not quite perfect yet. The spatial cameras are a cool feature, and Google Play Services adds flexibility for getting your hands on content to watch or game with. But for now, the device still feels a little underpowered compared to its potential, and the battery life could be better when you take on more intensive tasks. For $199/£189, it’s a solid addition if you’re already invested in Xreal’s AR ecosystem. And, while I’m personally a bit conflicted, I do think this is the right form factor for AR glasses controllers.

Ultimately, the Beam Pro takes a step towards solving some major AR gripes. While it doesn’t fully stick the landing, it’s almost there, with the promise of future updates to come. Besdies, you’ll have plenty of fun with it. But if you’re looking for the ultimate AR controller, you might want to wait for Xreal to release a more refined version – ideally one with actual buttons and joysticks.

Xreal Beam Pro technical specifications