Image Credit: CNET

Display glasses are quickly emerging as one of the most competitive product categories in consumer technology, and CES 2026 made that clear. From ultra-fast gaming-focused eyewear to feature-rich augmented reality designs, companies are racing to define how screens, AI, and wearables will blend into everyday life. Two announcements stood out: the new Asus–Xreal partnership and Meta’s evolving strategy for its Ray-Ban Display glasses.

Asus and Xreal Introduce 240Hz ROG R1 Display Glasses

At CES 2026, Asus and Xreal showcased the Asus ROG R1 display glasses, a performance-focused wearable aimed squarely at gamers. Built on the same core concept as Xreal’s earlier models, the ROG R1 refines the formula with one headline upgrade: a 240Hz refresh rate.

This ultra-smooth refresh rate was immediately noticeable during hands-on demos, especially when paired with Asus gaming hardware and PCs. The glasses retain a flat lens design and a 57-degree field of view, similar to the Xreal One Pro, delivering an immersive yet comfortable viewing experience. Brightness remains at 700 nits, ensuring good visibility indoors and in controlled lighting environments.

However, the ROG R1 is clearly a specialized product rather than a full generational leap. It does not feature the 16:10 aspect ratio or the higher 1200p resolution found on other Xreal models, making it less versatile for productivity or cinematic use. Pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed, but expectations point toward a premium tag, likely higher than existing Xreal offerings. Support for an Asus media dock allows quick switching between PCs and consoles, adding flexibility for multi-device users.

Meta Pauses International Expansion of Ray-Ban Display Glasses

While Asus and Xreal are pushing forward, Meta is taking a more measured approach. Meta announced that it is pausing the early 2026 international rollout of its Ray-Ban Display glasses due to extremely limited inventory and strong demand in the US.

Originally planned for markets like the UK, France, Italy and Canada, the expansion has been delayed as Meta focuses on fulfilling existing orders. Industry analysts suggest this is a strategic move rather than a setback, allowing Meta to refine its first-generation hardware before scaling globally.

Despite the pause, Meta revealed new features at CES 2026, including a built-in teleprompter for speeches and presentations, and an early-access finger-writing feature. Using a wrist-worn neural band, users can write on any surface and convert those motions into digital messages, highlighting Meta’s focus on natural, hands-free interaction.

The Bigger Picture for Smart Glasses in 2026

Smart and display glasses are entering a critical phase. Alongside Meta and Asus, companies like Google and Apple are expected to play major roles in shaping this market. With gaming, productivity, and AI-driven interaction converging, 2026 could mark the year display glasses move from niche gadgets to mainstream devices.

For now, the Asus ROG R1 shows how performance can drive innovation, while Meta’s cautious rollout underscores the challenges of scaling first-generation wearable tech.

Also Read: CES 2026 Audio Gadgets: An Audio Editor’s Top 3 Picks So Far

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo ushers in a new era of dual-screen gaming laptops

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo has made a striking comeback at CES 2026, finally delivering the full dual-screen experience that gamers and creators have been waiting for. This time, Asus has ditched the compromise of a smaller secondary display and gone all-in with two identical, edge-to-edge panels, transforming the Zephyrus Duo into a true multitasking powerhouse.

A true dual-display setup, reimagined

The new Zephyrus Duo features two 16-inch 3K OLED HDR displays, each offering a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1,100 nits. Unlike previous generations, both screens are full-sized, making the experience feel seamless and intentional rather than experimental. The detachable keyboard and trackpad sit on top of the lower display and can be used wirelessly, enabling multiple configurations such as dual-screen mode, tent mode, flat workstation layout, or a conventional single-screen laptop setup.

This design brings the Duo closer to a gaming-focused version of Asus’ productivity-first dual-screen laptops, while still retaining the bold ROG identity that fans expect.

Flagship performance for serious gamers

As a premium gaming machine, the Zephyrus Duo doesn’t hold back on hardware. It is powered by Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake processors and can be configured with Nvidia’s next-generation RTX 50-series GPUs, going all the way up to the RTX 5090. Despite the added screen and powerful internals, the laptop remains relatively portable, measuring 19.6mm thick and weighing 2.85kg.

Port selection is equally impressive, with HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB-A ports, and a full-size SD card slot, making it suitable for both gaming and professional workflows.

Zephyrus G14 and G16 get meaningful updates

Alongside the Duo, Asus has refreshed the ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16. While their overall design remains familiar, both laptops now offer Intel Panther Lake CPU options alongside RTX 50-series GPUs. The OLED displays are factory-calibrated, HDR-ready, and brighter than before, while a redesigned bottom panel improves cooling and sustained performance.

Notably, the G14 finally gains a full-size SD card slot and will be available with both Intel and AMD processors for the first time.

Availability and launch timeline

Official pricing has not yet been announced, but the Zephyrus Duo, G14, and G16 are all expected to launch in mid-to-late Q2 2026. With genuine dual displays and top-tier specs, the Zephyrus Duo stands out as one of the most ambitious gaming laptops revealed this year.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus India Launch Finally Takes Shape with BIS Listing

Asus has recently launched the much-awaited ROG Phone 8 Pro in India. Unveiled earlier this month, the smartphone is now available for purchase on Asus’ official Indian website and through Vijay Sales.

The ROG Phone 8 Pro comes in an exclusive Phantom Black color. It offers two memory configurations for potential buyers. The first option includes 16GB of RAM with 512GB of storage, priced at Rs 94,999 (approximately $1,140 or €1,055). The second, more advanced option is the 24GB/1TB model, priced at Rs 119,999 (around $1,445 or €1,330). This model is notably branded as the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition and comes with an added perk – the ROG AeroActive Cooler X. This accessory, aimed at enhancing the gaming experience, can also be purchased separately for Rs 5,999 (about $70 or €65).

At the core of the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. The phone operates on Android 14, enhanced with Asus’ ROG UI, tailored for an immersive gaming experience. The device flaunts a 6.78-inch 165Hz FullHD+ LTPO AMOLED display, which includes an integrated fingerprint reader for added security.

Battery life is a strong suit for the ROG Phone 8 Pro, equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery. It supports 65W wired charging, although in India, the charging capability is limited to 30W.

Photography enthusiasts will be excited about the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s camera setup. It features a 50MP primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a 32MP telephoto lens (also with OIS and 3x optical zoom), a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP selfie camera. A unique addition to the phone is a customizable 341 Mini-LED matrix on the back, allowing users to personalize their device further.