XGIMI has unveiled its new ultra-short-throw (UST) projector lineup showcased at IFA 2026: the Aura 3 Series, which includes the AURA 3 Pro and the Aura 3 Max. This series aims to bring high-end home theater performance and high-refresh-rate gaming to large-screen projection with a compact footprint.
Positioned as the first 4K UST projectors to offer 4K at 120Hz, the Aura 3 Series targets enthusiasts who want both cinematic image quality and smooth, responsive gameplay on a truly large display. XGIMI designed this line to balance brightness, color, contrast and gaming responsiveness for a broad range of living-room and dedicated-theater setups.
Both Aura 3 models use an RGB triple-laser light engine combined with XGIMI’s Dynamic Dual Iris optical system. The dual-iris arrangement dynamically regulates light output to improve perceived contrast, delivering a native contrast ratio up to 8,000:1 along with Dynamic Black Enhancement. Together these systems help produce deeper blacks, better shadow detail and a more cinematic image in mixed lighting conditions.
The flagship Aura 3 Max reaches up to 5,700 ISO lumens and covers approximately 110% of the BT.2020 color gamut, providing intense brightness and wide color volume for HDR content. With an ultra-short throw ratio of 0.163:1, the Max can project a 120-inch image from about eight inches away from a wall, and it supports screen sizes up to 200 inches. That makes it a practical option for living rooms and multi-purpose media spaces where projector distance is limited.
HDR support across the series includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG, along with IMAX Enhanced compatibility. The projectors also include Filmmaker Mode, dynamic tone mapping and an Anti-Rainbow Effect (Anti-RBE) feature aimed at reducing perceptible color separation. For those who still enjoy stereoscopic content, the Aura 3 line supports 3D playback and ships with two pairs of 3D glasses.
To deliver 4K at 120Hz, XGIMI employs two DLPC8545 display controllers working in parallel. This architecture enables the high frame rates and is complemented by HDMI 2.1 inputs that support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), AMD FreeSync Premium and Dolby Vision Gaming. Input latency is claimed to be extremely low in certain modes, which benefits competitive and fast-paced gaming on very large projected surfaces.
On the software side, the Aura 3 Series ships with Google TV as the native platform, providing direct access to major streaming services, app discovery, and Google Cast integration for easy mobile and laptop casting. Audio is handled by an integrated Harman Kardon system rated at 80 watts, with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X to create expansive sound without requiring a dedicated external sound system. The projector also offers an ambient “XGIMI WALL” feature that displays curated wallpapers and digital art when the unit is idle, turning a blank wall into an attractive decorative element.
Pre-orders are available now through XGIMI’s official channels. Customers can place a deposit to reserve a unit ahead of the wider launch, which helps secure early pricing incentives. The Aura 3 Series will also be offered via Kickstarter starting October 20, 2026, with Kickstarter introductory pricing for the Aura 3 Pro and the Aura 3 Max. While the projectors are positioned at a premium price point, they offer a space-efficient path to large-screen 4K HDR and high-frame-rate gaming without the distance requirements of traditional long-throw projectors.
More on Google TV:
- Google TV now offers thousands of free and on-demand movies and shows accessible without sideloading apps, improving content discovery for projector users.
- Google TV has grown into one of the leading smart-TV platforms in terms of available apps and integration with streaming services.
- Affordable Google TV hardware options continue to appear, making it easier to upgrade a projector’s smart features without replacing the entire unit.