CES 2026: You Can Finally Use XREAL AR Glasses With Nintendo Switch 2.
At CES 2026, I had the chance to play augmented reality on the Nintendo Switch 2. I hadn’t done this before because, until now, only one company had released an AR dock compatible with Nintendo’s latest console, and it doesn’t work well with AR glasses connected directly to it. Viture’s solution is decent, if a bit bulky, but Lifehacker has long praised the AR glasses from competitor XREAL , and now it’s finally possible to use XREAL glasses with the Nintendo Switch 2.
XREAL previously had an accessory that allowed you to play on the original Nintendo Switch, but it was discontinued, and even if you buy it used, it won’t work with the Switch 2. Now, XREAL NEO is changing that.
Smaller than the Viture dock, the Neo is essentially a combination portable battery and augmented reality adapter that allows you to use your XREAL glasses while simultaneously powering them and charging/converting the signal from the device being displayed. It has a 10,000 mAh capacity and a 20W output—enough for fast charging—but can also be plugged into a wall outlet, allowing you to charge devices with 65W or more. This is especially convenient if you use the Neo primarily as an adapter, and yes, it will allow your glasses to display not only the Switch 2 but also the original Switch. XREAL also notes that the Neo can be used with other portable devices, such as the Steam Deck, although this is less necessary in this case, as the Steam Deck can directly output video to the XREAL glasses.
A surprising feature is that the Neo also has a magnetic ring for direct attachment to a device, but it doesn’t support wireless charging. The magnet appears to be more for ease of storage, allowing the Neo’s rear kickstand to be used for vertical positioning.
Using the Neo with the Switch 2 was simply perfect. The console instantly docked and launched the game on the connected XREAL glasses, just like a TV, giving me a virtual 171-inch screen and 1200p graphics. Oh, and those graphics? They were in 3D.
XREAL 1S converts 2D video into 3D.
That’s because, in addition to the Neo, I was able to test the new XREAL 1S augmented reality glasses. They upscale the resolution to 1200p and increase the field of view from 50 degrees on the basic XREAL One to 52 degrees. The refresh rate is still 120 Hz, but the glasses are brighter (700 nits), and the aspect ratio has increased to 16:10. Most importantly, they add 3D depth to 2D images right out of the box.
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I tested this on Mario Kart World , and if you’d told me the game was designed from the ground up with 3D in mind, I’d have believed you. The effect was flawless, subtly subtle, and I never noticed any blur around the characters. However, according to XREAL, the 2D-to-3D conversion happens entirely within the glasses, using an integrated spatial processing chip and artificial intelligence.
The advantage of this approach is that it works with any content you connect to XREAL 1S, although XREAL warned me that the effect might not be as effective with flat content as it is with content using computer graphics. For example, the AI simply didn’t know what to do with the original Super Mario Bros. for NES, resulting in some elements gaining depth while others were ignored.
However, in such cases, the effect can be disabled, and I think this will be very convenient if you’re a big fan of 3D films, as they’re quite difficult to find on streaming platforms. Now you can make any movie 3D, even if your experience may vary greatly.
But the best part about the XREAL 1S? Despite the improvements, it’s actually cheaper than the base XREAL ONE model: $449 versus $499. And they’re available now , with estimated shipping around this weekend. Plus, if you don’t want to buy new AR glasses, the 2D-to-3D conversion technology, called Real 3D, is now available for the XREAL ONE Pro and can be downloaded via an update.
Meanwhile, the XREAL NEO is currently only available for pre-order , with shipments scheduled for February. Incidentally, the Neo is available for $99 until February 4th, but after that, the price will increase to $119.
Even with the NEO’s lower price, the complete package, including the dock and glasses, will set you back $548. But if you really miss your 3DS , this is another easy way to play Nintendo games in 3D without sacrificing portability while still enjoying a larger screen.