Rokid Station Review: The Ultimate AR Accessory?

Could the Rokid Station be the ideal accessory for augmented reality glasses? In this hands-on review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this powerful device. But first, let’s explore why devices like the Rokid station capture so much attention in the XR world.

You’ve probably noticed that Augmented Reality (AR) specs are having a moment in 2024. Not only have we seen various new and upcoming releases from well-known vendors like Viture and Rokid this year, but companies like Meta are also getting involved

There’s just one problem: Most smart glasses need to be tethered to something, such as your laptop or smartphone. That obviously creates some issues from an ergonomics perspective, and it means you’ll be draining your device’s battery life pretty quickly, too.

Lightweight, versatile glasses definitely offer many benefits to consumers and business users, with some analysts predicting sales for these specs will soon overtake VR headsets.

That’s where the Rokid Station comes in.

Rokid Station Review: Quick Verdict

If you’re looking for a quick insight into whether the Rokid Station is a worthwhile purchase, I’d say it is. If you buy a pair of Rokid Max glasses for augmented reality experiences, the Rokid Station will improve your user experience and give you more battery life.

Cons:

• Limitations for screen positioning
• Only useful with the Rokid Max glasses

The Specs and Pricing

The Rokid Station is currently available for $199. Alternatively, consumers can purchase the Station as part of a bundle with the Rokid Max smart glasses for around $599 (the Rokid AR Joy pack). These prices might be reduced when Rokid introduces its AR Lite kit.

Here’s a quick look at the specs:

• 120Hz refresh rate (with the Rokid Max)
• 5000 mAh battery (5 hours of battery life)
• 7-day standby battery life
• 50 degree field of view
• Up to 600 nits perceived brightness
• Android operating system
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Micro HDMI connectivity
• 65-bit 4-Core ARM CPU
• 32 GB storage
  

  What is the Rokid Station?

  The Rokid Station is a lightweight, Android device that connects with the Rokid Max smart glasses, giving you a convenient way to access smart streaming functionality on the move.

  It eliminates the need to connect your glasses to a smartphone, giving you an all-in-one controller and simplified computing system. In many ways, its similar to the XReal Beam, a device I previously reviewed that delivers the same type of functionality to XReal Air glasses.

  Like the Beam, the Rokid Station gives users a simple way to download apps and access content on their smart specs, without using a separate device (and draining its battery).

  It’s been so successful, that Rokid has even created a new “Station 2” with a touchscreen and upgraded functionality, for their upcoming Rokid AR Lite kit.

Pros:

• Slim and lightweight build quality
• Excellent and user-friendly performance
• Long battery life
• Convenient wireless casting
• Affordable pricing

The Rokid Station doesn’t look like much at a glance. It looks like a lightweight remote controller; you can plug it into your smart glasses, which is essentially what it is. Compared to Station 2, which has yet to be released, it’s a little old-fashioned, in my opinion.

Most importantly, the device is very user-friendly. I had no trouble using the side buttons to adjust the volume on my Rokid Max glasses or the shortcut buttons to jump between apps. A handy battery indicator is also built-in, so you can tell when you’re running out of juice.

There’s no “screen,” but you do get a touchpad you can use to navigate through apps and content when you’re wearing your AR glasses. There are also a few buttons you can use to go “back” to another page or load the menu. What I do like about this device is that it’s very portable. Though it’s a little chunkier than a smartphone, it still fits easily into my pocket.

Immersion and User Experience

The Rokid Station makes using your AR smart glasses incredibly simple and intuitive. It’s easy to load up your apps, navigate through content, and adjust settings without using a smartphone. However, there are some possible downsides.

For instance, the level of “immersion” you’ll get with the Rokid Station and the Max AR glasses is a bit limited. Unlike the XReal Beam and XReal Air combo, there’s no default head-tracking functionality built-in.

However, I do think it would be helpful to have the option to resize and reposition where your picture is fixed on the screen. XReal and the XReal Beam do give you a few more positioning options, and head tracking is enabled by default.

Still, the lack of “picture customization” options isn’t a deal breaker for me, particularly when considering how good the images on the Rokid Max glasses are already.

Rokid Station: Battery Life and Charging

One of the biggest reasons the Rokid Station is a worthwhile purchase is that it significantly extends the amount of time you can spend using your AR glasses.

The 5000 mAh battery gives you up to 5 hours of “play time” with the Rokid Max specs on a single charge. That’s excellent, considering how much these glasses can drain your smartphone’s battery life. Another point worth noting is that the Rokid Station can also serve as a battery backup for your phone, allowing you to charge other devices using the USB output.

You will need your own USB cable, however, as this isn’t included in the station’s box, which is a little unusual. However, I do like the fact that you can use the Station while it’s charging, so if you have it plugged into an outlet with your USB, you won’t have to wait until it’s fully charged to dive back into your AR experiences.

The Functionality and Performance

It’s worth noting that the Rokid Station is just an accessory. It won’t do much on its own, but it’s a fantastic bonus tool if you invest in a pair of Rokid smart glasses. Ultimately, this handy little device eliminates the need to rely on your smartphone or laptop to access AR content.

All you need to do is plug the device into your smart specs using the included mini HDMI cable and switch it on. From there, you’ll be greeted with a familiar Android interface, where you can access the Google Play store and download apps to use on your glasses.

Ultimately, most of the apps you’ll access with this device will be entertainment-based, but Rokid highlights that you can use the app to access various other collaboration tools, communication apps, games, and other features, too. You can even connect your Rokid Max headset and the Station to a Bluetooth keyboard for efficient work wherever you are.

Chromecast is also built into the Rokid Station so that you can cast videos from a smartphone or other devices to it directly. There are some limitations here, though. You can’t cast your entire computer screen through the Station onto your smart glasses, for instance. But you can use the Station to launch an augmented reality video meeting.

Rokid Station Review: The Verdict

So, is the Rokid Station a worthwhile purchase? Ultimately, if you’re buying a pair of Rokid Max glasses, I’d recommend buying this too. The Rokid Max glasses are excellent on their own. Still, the Station makes it much easier to elevate your extended reality experience.

With the Station, you can break free from distracting smartphone notifications and a limited battery life. Plus, it’s not an overly expensive accessory overall.