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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- RayNeo unveiled the Air 4 Pro with upgraded display and audio.
- They are the world’s first HDR10-enabled smart glasses.
- RayNeo is launching the X3 Pro Project eSIM at CES 2026.
If the number of smart glasses that I’ve worn and tested in the final months of 2025 was any indication of what was to come in 2026, then CES this week will unquestionably be the headlining showcase for face-worn technology.
One pair of glasses has already left a big impression on me: RayNeo’s new Air 4 Pro, which the company touts as the world’s first HDR10-enabled smart glasses, featuring dual-layer OLED screens and side speakers tuned by Bang and Olufsen. Together, you’re looking at a convincing frontrunner for multimedia consumption on the go.
Also: CES 2026: The biggest news stories on TVs, smart glasses, robots and more live
At the base level, the RayNeo Air 4 Pro are a pair of extended reality glasses, meaning they can be connected to a smartphone, PC, or even gaming console to mirror (or fully replace) the display. Like competing offerings from Xreal, Viture, and Rokid, the RayNeo glasses are well-optimized for multimedia viewing, thanks to a tinted visor that enhances the color and brightness of their projections.
It certainly helps that the RayNeo Air 4 Pro support swappable prescription lenses (including -8.00) and weigh the same as their predecessor, the RayNeo Air 3s Pro, at 76 grams. That’s about par for the course for XR glasses, but at least they’re not getting any heavier.
Where the RayNeo Air 4 Pro distances itself is with the HDR10-enabled projection and Bang and Olufsen-tuned speaker system. The former allows users to visualize a wider range of brightness and color than traditional displays, such as details that are often lost in overlit environments or dimmer scenes.
“While many wearable displays promise a large screen, they often fall short on contrast, color consistency, and stability,” Li Hongwei, CEO of RayNeo Innovation, tells ZDNET. Supporting this universal standard of picture quality brings the RayNeo Air 4 Pro closer in line with traditional TVs, projectors, and other devices.
Also: The biggest tech surprises of the year: 5 products that truly impressed our editors
As intrigued as I am by the glasses’ display quality, I’m just as invested in their new speakers. Co-branded “tuning” is a marketing stunt as old as time; we’ve seen such partnerships appear on smartphones, laptop speakers, cars, and more — and the resulting audio performance is often hit or miss.
However, having recently tested the Xreal One Pro, which features Bose-tuned field speakers, I’m more of a believer when it comes to smart glasses. The enhanced bass and directional output should result in a more immersive listening experience overall.
RayNeo hasn’t shared information regarding the Air 4 Pro’s pricing and availability, but considering the existing Air 4 model costs about $400 in China and the Air 3s Pro costs $300 in the US, I’d expect the latest model to be just slightly more expensive.
One last thing
RayNeo says it’ll also launch the X3 Pro Project eSIM soon, which takes the recently launched pair of AR glasses and implements built-in 4G connectivity — though it’s more to gauge market interest.
“Currently a concept device, the RayNeo X3 Pro Project eSIM showcases what we believe is the key difference for next-generation AR — these are glasses that can connect to the internet and make calls on their own, without a smartphone,” says Li.
Also: I’ve tested several pairs of smart glasses at CES 2026 – this one nails both price and performance
ZDNET tested the RayNeo X3 Pro late last year and found the smart glasses to be fairly capable, thanks to their built-in display and direct access to Gemini for voice assistance. However, the overall endurance and comfort made them less ideal for everyday usage. Here’s to hoping that giving the glasses eSIM support makes those drawbacks a little more forgivable.
The ZDNET team will be on the CES floor throughout this week, so stay tuned for our coverage on the latest tech and innovation news, including what’s next for face-worn tech.
Source: Networking - zdnet.com
