Introduction
The TCL NXTWEAR S are marketed as XR glasses. That stands for Extended Reality and is definitely an umbrella time period that encompasses all VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality) and MR (Mixed Reality) merchandise. Although the NXTWEAR S glasses have an accelerometer, gyroscope and stress sensor on board, we would not name them sensible glasses, since there is no such thing as a “sensible” performance right here. They usually are not actually VR both, since there is no such thing as a movement monitoring and interacting to talk of. AR can also be a stretch since there are not any cameras or the rest to soak up and monitor the actual world.
What you get with the NXTWEAR S is a conveyable show, the equal of about 130 inches in diagonal, floating in entrance of your eyes at a distance of round 4 meters. That is overlayed on high of a clear glass panel that passes via what’s in entrance of you as nicely.
The NXTWEAR S glasses are created by a Hong Kong firm named RayNeo that TCL incubated and now goes by the title TCL RayNeo. The firm is a frontrunner on this kind of tech and actually the NXTWEAR S isn’t its first system. They are literally a direct iterative improve over the NXTWEAR Air glasses, which made the rounds at tech conventions and with some reviewers, however weren’t actually brazenly offered. An older TCL NXTWEAR G system exists as nicely, however we won’t discover any direct correlation between it and the NXTWEAR S.
In any case, our level right here is that the NXTWEAR S glasses usually are not a primary technology product, nor are they vaporware. After efficiently going via a few crowdfunding rounds, the NXTWEAR S glasses are actually out there freely via RayNeo instantly and on Amazon, retailing at $399.
Before we dig in, let’s begin with a specs overview.
TCL NXTWEAR S at a look:
- Dimensions: 175mm x 166mm x 51mm (Unfolded), 56mm x 154mm x 51mm (Folded), 89 grams (magnetic cable weighs extra 30 grams).
- Optical parameters: Two Micro-OLED Displays with 1920 x 1080 pixel decision in 2D mode and 3840 x 1080 in 3D mode, 45-diploma FoV, 60Hz, 49 PPD (Pixels per diploma), efficient display dimension: 130-inches, projected 4 meters away.
- Audio: Dual extremely-linear audio system with section cancellation tech to cut back sound leakage.
- I/O: Magnetic USB Type-C cable for energy and video over USB Type-C alt mode Display Port, quantity wheel on the left and brightness and energy toggle swap on the appropriate.
- Other options:Accelerometer, gyroscope and stress sensor on board, put on sensor, 3 DOF, magnetic myopia attachable body and extra nostril clip within the field.
Unboxing
Let’s begin with what $399 buys you by way of precise {hardware}. The NXTWEAR S glasses are available in a pleasant two-piece field. Beyond the principle unit itself and its proprietary magnetic cable, you additionally get a magnetic snap-on pair of sunshades to connect on the entrance of the unit. These may also help with the immersion considerably since they let much less mild via, although you possibly can nonetheless see completely advantageous via them. As per TCL advertising, there are two different kinds of snap-on sunshades which you can purchase individually, although we could not personally discover them anyplace.
Another factor included within the field is another nostril clip/nostril pads that is perhaps extra snug for some customers. There can also be a screwdriver included to make the swap. The NXTWEAR S glasses additionally include a nifty magnetic snap-on for the rear facet as nicely. This one is supposed to carry prescription myopia lenses in case you occur to want them. TCL consists of templates so that you can take to the optician and get them achieved.
The NXTWEAR S glasses additionally include a pleasant, laborious carrying case that has sufficient house for the glasses, cable and even the snap-on sunshades. And final and doubtless least, you additionally get a cleansing material and a few documentation. An extremely wealthy accent bundle total, in our opinion.
Hardware, options and controls
The NXTWEAR S glasses are largely manufactured from plastic which undoubtedly contributes to their pretty mild weight of simply 89 grams. There actually is not that a lot {hardware} on board both, except for the 2 FullHD, Sony-made Micro-OLED show panels, a few audio system and a few largely unused, so far as we are able to inform small sensors. There is not any battery on board, computational energy, and even wi-fi connectivity {hardware}. All knowledge and energy are handed via the cable.
All of this permits the glasses to be fairly compact as nicely, measuring 56mm x 154mm x 51mm when folded and 175mm x 166mm x 51mm unfolded. The unit tends to suit snugly on the face, with out an excessive amount of wobble or play and is not heavy in any respect. Though, it may put an uncomfortable quantity of stress in your nostril.
Anyway, let’s begin our {hardware} tour on the entrance. The defining characteristic right here could be the pretty massive “brow”, for lack of a greater time period.
It has a pair of recesses on both facet, which seem like digital camera holes or some kind of sensors. As far as we are able to inform, these are merely there to help the magnets in holding the elective snap-on sunshades and as information holes for the attachment course of. They appear to be doing their job simply advantageous because the cowl shades go on simply and do not come off on their very own beneath regular use.
The entrance-dealing with facet of the lenses on the NXTWEAR S may be very shiny and reflective, which we like. Even with out the sunshade attachment, it is like you’re carrying an odd pair of sun shades. Speaking of the sunshade attachment, it undoubtedly conceals plenty of the funky “weirdness” and offers the wearer a extra “common” look. At least so far as that’s achievable with a cable operating behind your ear.
As we talked about the cable is at all times going to be connected to the NXTWEAR S since it’s the sole supply of each energy and video for the glasses. It’s not precisely what we might name skinny, nevertheless it is not overly thick both. Crucially, it’s fairly comfortable and bends simply. We by no means truly discovered it to be in the best way whereas carrying the glasses. The magnetic connector is fairly nice, although its existence does imply that you’re caught with the manufacturing facility cable and might’t get an extended one, we nonetheless respect the magnet system. It may be very safe and by no means popped out by itself throughout our time with the glasses, however on the identical time, fdoesn’t allow you to get so entangled that you simply truly yank and break the glasses.
As for cable size concerns, we by no means discovered ourselves needing greater than we’ve got. It is lengthy sufficient to be snug whereas sitting in entrance of a tool or holding it in your lap, and it even reaches properly to most pant pockets in case you actually really feel like strolling with the glasses on, which is admittedly bizarre however might be pulled off.
Let’s discuss concerning the audio system for a second. The NXTWEAR S has a pair of those on both arm. They are standard versus one thing weirder, like bone conduction models, that are typically included in wearable tech. The audio system even have grilles dealing with downwards in the direction of your ears, which is smart, but additionally upwards, which is puzzling. This is perhaps a part of the included section cancellation tech that’s meant to cut back leakage.
In apply, the audio system sound nicely, however solely about so far as you possibly can anticipate from small models positioned considerably far out of your ears. The output is comparatively clear, with good highs and clear mids and voices, which is arguably the necessary bit. There is totally no bass to talk of. They usually are not notably loud, which could have been a obligatory compromise to make sure minimal noise leakage. In apply, even when cranked to the max, close by events, even ones sitting within the seat proper subsequent to us, did not hear a factor, which is spectacular.
There are two distinct enter controls on the NXTWEAR S. There is a quantity wheel on the left facet, on the underside of the arm. It works very nicely and presents exact quantity changes. The wheel spins freely in both path previous the min and max factors as an alternative of stopping, however that is not a usability situation in any manner.
There is a 3-state cog wheel management on the appropriate spoke of the glasses. It can go up and down to regulate the show brightness (7 ranges in whole) or be pressed down for energy. It works very nicely, and we’ve got to marvel why the opposite management is not utilizing this design.
The NXTWEAR S glasses have a cool additional characteristic: a put on sensor. It is positioned within the heart of the glasses, proper above the nostril pads on the again and appears to be a easy proximity-primarily based unit. It works nice and turns off the glasses a couple of seconds after you’re taking them off and turns them again on practically immediately as soon as you set them again on.
Lastly, we’ve got to reward the precise glasses a part of the NXTWEAR S. Having to put on glasses all the time, personally and having gone via fairly a couple of pairs, this reviewer can respect when the ergonomics are proper. The hinges on the arm are stiff sufficient to remain properly in place but additionally unfastened sufficient, with loads of give within the outward path, to not squeeze the wearer’s head. The suggestions on the finish of the arms and the entire arms, for that matter, have no sharp corners that might dig into the pores and skin. The floor of the plastic, whereas not rubberized or something of the kind, continues to be comfortable-contact sufficient to be snug in your face.
The solely actual ergonomic criticism we’ve got with the NXTWEAR S is the entrance-heavy nature of the design. If you will have a extra delicate nostril, you’ll in all probability expertise some discomfort with prolonged put on. Swapping to the choice nostril pads did really feel a lot better for this reviewer, personally, however your mileage could range. Then once more, it isn’t just like the glasses are literally that heavy, and we do not assume there’s something to be achieved to the design to make them weigh much less on the nostril, so it’s what it’s.
Compatibility and elective adapter
TCL would not share a lot about system compatibility for the NXTWEAR S past simply stating that it’s “large”. All the glasses actually require to work is a USB Type-C port with USB alt-mode help for Display Port output. The glasses themselves usually are not too energy-hungry, so most units do not wrestle to maintain them fed.
What does that translate to in actual-world phrases? Let’s begin with laptops since that’s form of straightforward. If your laptop computer helps DP alt mode over USB Type-C, you’re able to go. This needs to be straightforward sufficient to search out out from the laptop computer’s specs sheet since these are typically in-depth sufficient. We tried on a Lenovo AssumePad X1 Carbon Gen 9, an ASUS Zephyrus G14 from 2021, and an M1 MacBook Air with excellent success. We know this can be a little bit of an arbitrary record, nevertheless it illustrates the principle level – when you have DP over Type-C, it can work.
Things are a bit messier on the telephone facet of issues. Technically, out of the field, with no extra equipment, the NXTWEAR S is an Android-only accent since, nicely, no Type-C port on iPhones. Not all hope is misplaced on the i(Pad)OS entrance, although because the M1 iPad Pro works simply advantageous.
Some Android units help Display Port over USB Type-C, however there is no such thing as a straightforward strategy to know which of them. Some good tough guidelines of thumb embrace that it’s usually a flagship characteristic and that it’s best to have higher odds with units from Samsung, Huawei and OnePlus. Once once more, it’s essential search round to see in case your telephone has DP over Type-C. In phrases of telephones, we succeeded on a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 4 and an Oppo Find X5 Pro. That’s merely what we had mendacity round.
Circling again to Apple compatibility. Again, there is no such thing as a iPhone help out of the field. However, we did discover a system referred to as the “MiraScreen Portable Adapter – SPQ01 for TCL NXTWEAR S” on Amazon. We haven’t got it at hand and might’t attest to how nicely it really works, nevertheless it seems to basically pump a show feed into the glasses via software program put in on the host system reasonably than PD output. You plug the gadget into your telephone (iPhone or Android with out DP), set up the companion app and simply plug the glasses into the opposite finish. The MiraScreen even has “inline” controls for brightness and quantity on the glasses themselves and has a 4,500 mAh battery on board to increase the full runtime. It may even snap magnetically to MagSafe iPhones.
Finally, we tried a few consoles with the NXTWEAR S. The Valve Steam Deck labored simply advantageous, however we had no luck with the Nintendo Switch, which is a bummer.
Performance and energy consumption
Unfortunately, because the shows on the NXTWEAR S usually are not conventional in any manner, we won’t fairly measure their efficiency traits. We should go by a few of the official specs right here and our subjective impressions. The digital show finally ends up nicely-centered in your subject of view. It doesn’t fill it fully, removed from it, and also you at all times get some empty house across the show. The official specs declare a forty five-diploma subject of view, which sounds about proper.
In phrases of decision, the 2 Micro OLED shows have a local decision of 1920 x 1080 pixels. In apply, that proves to be sufficient even for small textual content. The picture the NXTWEAR S glasses produce may be very sharp, surprisingly so. According to the official specs, the picture needs to be round 130 inches in diagonal, as seen from about 4 meters away. Though, a few of the “official” banners do additionally point out a 201-inch diagonal and 6 meters away. Regardless, that apparently ends in PPD (Pixel Per Degree) determine of 49. We need to be trustworthy right here, we’ve got no body of reference to know if that’s any good, however as soon as once more, in apply, the picture may be very sharp.
In phrases of brightness, TCL quotes 400 nits. We discovered the show by no means will get shiny sufficient to be uncomfortable. It additionally would not get shiny sufficient to utterly drown out your environment and “punch via” the transparency. That being stated, when you get accustomed to the truth that you’re at all times going to see the surface world and focus your consideration on the content material, even the minimal brightness setting turns into usable. It’s a bizarre impact that’s laborious to place into phrases. All it’s essential know is that the NXTWEAR S ought to stay equally usable in just about any circumstance. Higher brightness ranges can lead to eye fatigue in some individuals.
The NXTWEAR S glasses handle surprisingly saturated colours. Perhaps even a bit too saturated. The panels on the glasses aren’t notably quick by way of refresh price and function at an ordinary 60Hz. We’re comfortable with that determine, particularly because the NXTWEAR S glasses usually are not meant for VR content material, the place the refresh price issues much more. On a extra constructive be aware, pixel response time is nice. There is little enter latency as a complete. We efficiently managed to sport on the NXTWEAR S and performed a couple of platformers that require relative bounce precision with no points.
Since the NXTWEAR S glasses are fully powered by way of a Type-C port, one of many few precise exams we managed to run on them was to measure energy consumption. We are pleased to report that the glasses are fairly energy-environment friendly. With a reasonably static picture on display, like looking or working, they drew round 1.35W to 1.45W, relying on the brightness setting. While taking part in a video with sound, the glasses used between 1.6W and 1.7W. Not too shabby in any respect. In extra sensible phrases, watching a two-hour film from Netflix on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with the NXTWEAR S on ate up round 30% of battery energy, which is completely affordable.
We nonetheless want there was a strategy to simply connect an exterior battery pack to the NXTWEAR S. The MiraScreen Portable Adapter does appear to supply that performance, nevertheless it’s an costly additional little bit of equipment that we won’t even validate works correctly for ourselves. So, there’s that.
Actual use instances, consolation and do you have to get a pair
Quite a couple of individuals across the GSMArena workplace tried the NXTWEAR S and gave their normal suggestions. Most of us agree that it is a cool product, even when a little bit of a gimmick that we might respect having in our lives however not essentially paying for at present market costs.
All of us unanimously agree that the perfect use case for the glasses is journey and airplane use specifically. A number of individuals additionally stated they might like to have a pair subsequent to their mattress to eat content material earlier than falling asleep. So, it appears that evidently precise, actual-life use instances for the NXTWEAR S do exist.
The query of broader compatibility and flexibility did come up. iPhone customers across the workplace had been left a bit dissatisfied by the truth that you need to get additional {hardware} simply to doubtlessly use the glasses. A straight HDMI enter was requested on a few events as nicely, and scouring on-line, there does appear to be an adapter for that as nicely, however it’s actually obscure. The level is that individuals appear to search out the present Display Port enter-solely implementation a bit limiting. This is one thing that would doubtlessly make a future mannequin extra interesting, maybe by together with the choice to stream to the glasses wirelessly whereas having them plugged into an influence financial institution.
Another space TCL ought to work on is the companion app. In its present state, it’s a buggy mess. It simply looks as if TCL did not spend an excessive amount of time sprucing the NXTWEAR S expertise as a complete, which is a bit disappointing.
Another caveat potential use want to pay attention to is consolation. While the NXTWEAR S glasses usually are not notably heavy and have a usually good design, most of us across the workplace complained of nostril discomfort after a comparatively brief viewing session. It could be an actual disgrace to get hyped concerning the glasses and the prospects they provide, solely to find which you can’t put on them for any prolonged time. Be ready for that eventuality and doubtlessly having to return them purely because of consolation causes.
If you handle to clear all of those hurdles and do not thoughts the $399 the NXTWEAR S glasses are at present retailing for on Amazon, then we imagine you may be pleased along with your buy. Despite all of the caveats, the NXTWEAR S glasses ship on the promise of a conveyable large show expertise fairly nicely. If you are feeling like that is one thing you need in your life and do not thoughts some early-adopter woes, then by all means, think about the NXTWEAR S.