This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/samsungdex by /u/Hey_look_new on 2023-09-24 23:57:47.
This one's been a long time coming, longer than expected.
As always, we've been sent the device to review, no money has changed hands, and XREAL has no editorial input prior to it being posted.
We're not real journalists, but we're trying to be as honest, and accurate as we can.
All that being said, let's get into it.
the XREAL Beam is an accessory device for the Xreal air AR glasses. The intent of the device is to give better air access to ~~ghetto devices like the iPhone and Pixel~~ devices that don't support video out over their charging ports, as well as to add 3DoF (3 DoF means orientation tracking. This means the 3 axes which an object can be rotated about are tracked) to otherwise static images. This is where DeX is affected.
The Beam is a small iPod sized device that contains a small battery, and fan, with a control scheme reminiscent of the original iPods click wheel.
It has 2 usb-c ports on the bottom. 1 used exclusively for connection to the XREAL air glasses, and the 2nd used for charging, or video input.
One of the limitations of the XREAL Airs on a DeX handset, is that the Nebula software doesn't have access to everything you'd need to be useful. So most of us just use the Air's as HMD, essentially just a plain static image/monitor.
The Beam allows you to fire up DeX in the airs, and gain access to the 3 modes that are supported. Because it adds 3DoF, it also allows you, in all 3 modes, to move the virtual screen closer, or further away, and just gives a TON more ability to cater the screen to your needs. Everything from a virtual 32" screen up to about a 300" screen.
Static (this is the normal mode). This is the basic window drawn right in front of your, and follows every movement of your head.
Smooth Follow; this allows you to move your head around a bit, and the window....floats, for lack of a better term. It then smoothly slides into a centered position
Body Anchor. This is the really interesting one for me. This allows you to "pin" a screen in space, so that as you turn your head away from the window, the glasses just essentially clear up, and you look thru them like normal glasses. Then as you move your head back to the pinned location, your virtual monitor shows up again.
This works great to use DeX as a reference monitor. Pin the DeX screen above the monitor of the system I'm working on, glance down and work on the monitor of the problem system, and just glance up to see reference material.
It also works really great when paired with the Steam Deck. Using a physical monitor from the 1st video output (dual output dock) and have the 2nd video output connected to the beam, and thru the beam to the Airs. You can then pin a 2nd monitor to the side, or above the physical monitor, and have a true dual monitor setup.
Docked Steam Deck
Docked Steam Deck seen thru Airs with Beam
The beam itself is battery powered, with kind of a charge life expected to be about 3ish, maybe 3.5 hours.
The upside of this, in a DeX scenario, is that the glasses are no longer drawing power from your phone itself. A longer movie session will not crater your phone battery any longer.
The downside, is that even when connected to a power source, the beam will use power faster than it can be charged.... So even using it docked with a steam deck, or a ps5 (or whatever) it will eventually run out of juice...
The Beam is capable of being used wirelessly as well. You can connect DeX to the beam via miracast, and it works as expected. You get the typical extra latency from miracast, but if you're just firing up Plex/netflix/youtube it's still a pretty decent experience. Other devices are also able to use airplay or miracast, but it'll be device dependent. YMMV with the experience as well. It's much better with DeX than other choices....
I think a lot of folks were expecting the Beam to replace their phone, and be a standalone media machine. It does run a version of android 11, and there is somewhat of an active modding community around sideloading of apps, etc. I still firmly believe it should only be viewed as purely an accessory device for the Airs.
The beam itself is small enough to pocket easily, but because it contains a fan, and tends to heat up quite a bit, it really shouldn't be pocketed. It's a bit of jankfest in that regard. I tend to use it laying on my desk, beside the steam deck most times.
Conclusion
This is a tough device to really evaluate in a lot of ways. Hardware wise, it's fairly well made, the buttons work well, but cooling system leaves a lot to be desired. The fan isn't particularly efficient, nor quiet, and it's pretty much always on while the device is in use.
The added viewing styles, and sizes/distances is a really nice touch too.
I don't feel that me personally, it adds a ton of value to the DeX user. If you're someone that gets motion sickness tho, it reportedly helps a great deal using smooth motion. For bus/train commuters, this alone might be worth the price of purchase.
For use with the steam deck tho, the ability to add a pinned monitor for desktop mode is amazing. Especially if you're working on a really tiny desk, or a cramped space, but able to add a 2nd, or 3rd monitor (counting the decks primary screen) is really valuable. Being able to physically move your head around to inspect various parts of multiple monitors is a really understated benefit of 3DoF for work flow.
The other thing to consider, the Beam is a work in progress. It's constantly being worked on, and improved. I wouldn't call it an early access device, but it's pretty close....
So overall, I would not put the beam in the MUST HAVE category, for DeX-XReal owners, but it's definitely in the NICE TO HAVE segment.
At the time of this writing, the beam is about $120 USD and can be found direct from XREAL:
Or from amazon
Currently, its Japan USA only, but European amazon sales are imminent (I think germany has them now?) and I'd expect/hope to see more widespread availability as we go from here
