Rokid Max AR Glasses Impressions
Rokid, the AR company behind the compelling Rokid Air augmented reality (AR) glasses, are about to launch a new consumer-oriented model, the Rokid Max. Like with their former consumer AR glasses, the Rokid Max operates by plugging into a smartphone and can mirror the latter’s screen as well as provide true AR features through a dedicated app. The Rokid Max improves on its predecessor by being lighter, offering a larger FOV and higher refresh rate.
As the company is taking pre-orders for this product, caution is advised but Rokid has been on track with delivering its products in the past. The model under review is a pre-mass production model, and there might be slight variations but the overall experience should be very close to the consumer unit. So let’s don these AR glasses and see if it depicts a bright future!
Rokid will be asking $439 with some extra perks for early backers. The following items are included in the package:
- Rokid Max AR glasses
- Lens cover
- USB-C cable
- Hard carry case
- Cleaning cloth
- Adjustable nose pads
Additional specs details of the Rokid Air can be found below:
When it comes to the aesthetics, the Rokid Max veers away from the sci-fi looks of the Rokid Air and bears some resemblance to the Nreal Light AR glasses. While I didn’t mind the Rokid Air’s bold look, the look of these new smart glasses might be more appealing and more socially accepted than the latter. They are also lighter and will support prescription lenses which the Air couldn’t. Having the support of lens inserts is a personal win as AR glasses don’t really fit over regular glasses and are barely usable otherwise for bespectacled users like myself. However, the early model tested didn’t come with the lens inserts and I cannot comment on them but these should be included in the final retail model.
Also new are the removable nose pads which is a welcome feature to adjust the glasses for a comfortable fit. However, the mechanic employed to remove them is a bit finicky and could be improved. Rokid says that they are working on it, so hopefully they deliver.
All of the Rokid Max’s accessories fit in the included carry case which is really handy. This makes the case an all-in-one must-have companion as it’s really the only thing you need to bring to have access to AR content on your phone. However, the zipper of the case is quite thin and is also finicky to use. The company also told me they are working on improving this issue, and I hope they do for the convenience of customers.
Given the lightweight aspect of these AR glasses (75g), they are comfortable to wear over extended periods of time. Rokid also sells a strap that loops at the back of your head should you want to further secure the glasses and prevent them from falling.
Images delivered through the Rokid Max’s screen are crisp and the audio output from the integrated speakers in its arms are clear and balanced. You can further adjust the brightness to your liking thanks to a dedicated brightness rocker. But it can be confused with the volume rocker just in front of it on the same arm. This potential for confusion could have been averted by having the volume and brightness rockers on different arms and it might be something for Rokid to consider before mass production begins.
Plugging the Rokid Max to an Android phone’s USB-C port will mirror the latter’s screen. This expands the screen size akin to viewing a 215” screen with 120Hz refresh rate. However, simple screen mirroring through AR glasses is something I am not totally in favour of as the result is merely a static screen that moves wherever your head/glasses moves. The novelty effect wears off quickly as opposed to having true a holographic, 3DoF screen. The latter would hover and stay put in place (even when moving your head) akin to a virtual screen you position in your environment.
Rokid did have this feature in an earlier version of their AR app but this hasn’t been brought back, though I’m told it’s a planned feature in the coming months. I really hope they do as having access to your pre-installed and familiar apps without native AR support in AR mode is a truly compelling experience that is more akin to a “killer feature” than any other apps. What would make it even more compelling is having the ability to open multiple windows of pre-installed apps in 3DoF, say your browser, your music playlist and a word document, to make the glasses a highly portable multitasking powerhorse. I really hope AR companies do integrate these features in the future as they highlight the productivity and daily-driver features of AR.
Images are way more crisp than what has been captured here
That said, Rokid has a dedicated Android app, Rokid AR, which operates in 3DoF and showcases AR features in action. It features a 3DoF-enabled in-app browser with 3 simultaneous, resizable and repositionable holographic windows. You could use the browser to sign in to your online accounts and multitask from there but this can lead to privacy issues, hence it would be better to be able to access pre-installed apps in 3DoF and multitask from there.
The Rokid AR app also features a growing library of AR apps - more than what competitors like Nreal offers - and provides greater value-for-money than what other mobile AR companies have to offer. All apps that were functional on the Rokid Air are compatible with the Rokid Max. And the number of software has been steadily growing, ranging from social media to games. While they are not killer apps per se, they do provide a good indication of what’s possible with the technology.
Given the similarities on the software side with the previously released and cheaper Rokid Air, the Rokid Max’s existence begs the question: why get it at all? At this point, it’s mostly a soft update than a full upgrade. But this doesn’t mean it’s bad as it pack compelling features such as lighter weight, bigger FOV, higher refresh rate and a larger holographic screen.
If you prefer a more discreet look, then the Max has it. This new model also supports lens inserts which is a must-have for prescription glass wearers and wasn’t supported with the Rokid Air. The company might also have plans for accompanying hardware down the line which could work better with the Rokid Max but this remains to be seen.
As it stands, the Rokid Max is a decent contender in the consumer AR space. It is lightweight, competitively priced, has a host of compatible apps and delivers crisp images. Even with the pre-retail unit tested, the hardware and software experience felt polished and will deliver a worthy AR experience if you decide to adopt the Rokid Max as your first/new pair of smart glasses.
Exclusive discount
If you're looking to get your hands on the Rokid Max, then you're in luck as Rokid has provided GBAtemp readers an exclusive discount!
Use the code GBATEMPROKID20 to get $20 off your purchase on the official Rokid store.