XREAL 1S vs. XREAL One Pro: Why the Cheaper Model Might Be Better
XREAL has done it again. They have released two pairs of smart glasses that look similar, share similar features, but have a massive price gap.
On one side, you have the flagship XREAL One Pro, featuring their cutting-edge “X-Prism” optics and a wider field of view. On the other, you have the XREAL 1S, the budget-friendly sibling that sticks to the older Birdbath technology.
But looking at the specs, I’ve come to a controversial conclusion. Unless you need the absolute widest FOV possible, the “Pro” upgrade might actually be a downgrade in visual clarity. For 90% of people who just want a massive screen for their Steam Deck or iPhone, the 1S is likely the superior choice.
Here is why saving your money might get you a better image.
1. Optics: Birdbath vs. Prism
This is the single biggest difference between the two models.
The XREAL One Pro uses Flat Prism (X-Prism) optics. This is newer tech that allows the glasses to be much thinner, looking more like regular sunglasses. It also achieves a wider 57° Field of View (FOV). However, early reports suggest that Prism optics can suffer from edge blur and chromatic aberration (color fringing) at the corners of the image.
The XREAL 1S uses traditional Birdbath optics. Yes, this makes the glasses slightly thicker (bug-eyed), but Birdbath is a mature technology known for edge-to-edge clarity. There is less distortion, less color fringing, and a sharper overall picture.
The Takeaway: The Pro gives you a wider image in a thinner frame, but the 1S gives you a cleaner image.
2. Resolution: The 1200p Advantage
Here is where the budget model actually beats the flagship on paper.
- XREAL One Pro: 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
- XREAL 1S: 1920 x 1200 (1200p)
The XREAL 1S features a 16:10 aspect ratio, giving you extra vertical pixels compared to the standard 16:9 on the Pro.
Why does this matter? The Steam Deck. The Steam Deck (and many productivity laptops) uses a 16:10 aspect ratio. If you play games on the One Pro, you might get black bars or squashed images. On the 1S, the display matches the native aspect ratio of your handheld perfectly, filling your vision with no wasted pixels.
3. The Real Trade-Off: Form Factor vs. Function
Since both glasses share the same 120Hz refresh rate and electrochromic dimming, the choice really comes down to vanity vs. utility.
The One Pro is designed to look good. It is thinner and draws less attention in public. If you plan to wear these at a coffee shop or on a commute where style matters, the Pro is the better physical design.
The 1S is designed to work. It accepts a slightly bulkier frame in exchange for that 1200p resolution and proven optical clarity. It is a device built for the person watching a movie on a plane, not the person trying to look cool on the subway.
Verdict
The XREAL One Pro is an engineering marvel designed to make smart glasses look normal. It pays a premium for thinness and FOV, but seemingly at the cost of edge clarity and vertical resolution.
The XREAL 1S is the utilitarian choice. It embraces the thicker Birdbath design to deliver a sharper, higher-resolution image (1200p) that fits the Steam Deck perfectly.
Winner: XREAL 1S (The Gamer’s Choice)
