As an enthusiast of extended reality technology, I recently had the opportunity to try out TCL's Nextwear S 'Extended Reality' glasses. These glasses promise an immersive experience with two OLED displays that allows you to enjoy content wherever you go. In a market flooded with various options, it's important to explore unbiased perspectives that offer genuine insights. So, let's dive into my firsthand experience with the Nextwear S glasses, which aim to surpass the performance of their counterparts like the Xreal/Nreal Airs and the Rokid Max.
The good?
Pros:
Remarkably lightweight design ensures comfort even during extended usage periods.
The OLED display delivers impressive visual performance, exhibiting excellent color accuracy and deep blacks when conditions are optimal.
The glasses offer a seamless plug-and-play experience, eliminating the need for additional software or complicated setup processes.
Contrary to some reviews, I found the viewing experience to genuinely resemble a 100" screen from a distance of approximately 8-9ft, aligning precisely with the advertised claims.
And the not so good?
Cons:
The glasses have a limited size range, which became evident as someone with a medium-large head. The tight fit resulted in discomfort and occasional creaking noises when adjusting the arms.
The default nose bridge design caused part of the screen to be cut off from view, even after making adjustments for a better fit. The alternative nose bridge included with the product fixed the issue with the full display not being visible, but required bending of the metal pins, causing further discomfort.
The image quality appeared slightly blurry, potentially due to inherent limitations of the product or the absence of custom lenses to accommodate my nearsightedness. Consultation with an optometrist for corrective lenses may be necessary for this device (Note: Blanks for custom lenses are included with the product.)
During usage, I encountered occasional audio static or crackling noise from the built-in speakers. Although not excessively disruptive, it was noticeable. It remains uncertain whether this issue is prevalent across all units or limited to specific instances.
Intermittent interruptions occurred where the audio momentarily ceased and the content flickered before resuming. While not significantly affecting the overall experience, the interruptions were present.
In conclusion
I cannot wholeheartedly recommend purchasing these glasses. While they present an intriguing concept with potential, they ultimately fall short of delivering a compelling experience. Opting to use your existing Steam Deck, phone, tablet, or PC handheld without the glasses will likely provide a more satisfying viewing experience. Alternatively, consider investing in a high-quality pair of headphones to enhance your overall enjoyment and create a truly immersive environment. This approach will likely yield greater satisfaction than these XR glasses would.
If, despite these considerations, you are still interested in exploring the Nextwear S glasses, you can find them here: https://amzn.to/46vFNbX
Reviewed by Mark Gibbons, An Aussie gamer with a passion for all things Handheld