The XGIMI AURA 3 projector series has officially launched, bringing cinema-scale entertainment to the living room with ultra-short-throw laser projection, 4K playback at 120Hz and brightness figures that challenge premium televisions. XGIMI announced the AURA 3 Max and AURA 3 Pro on October 20 via PR Newswire, with a Kickstarter campaign now live.
Both models use 4K UHD RGB triple-laser projection and support Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced. The flagship XGIMI AURA 3 projector in Max trim reaches 5,700 ISO lumens with an 8,000:1 native contrast ratio, while the Pro delivers 4,100 ISO lumens and 7,000:1 native contrast. XGIMI recommends the brighter Max for rooms with daylight and the Pro for spaces with controlled lighting.
The ultra-short-throw design is the headline trick: it can cast a 120-inch picture with its chassis sitting roughly eight inches from the wall. That makes it dramatically friendlier to normal living rooms than a ceiling-mounted projector or a wall-dominating 120-inch television.
XGIMI AURA 3 projector specs target gamers and cinephiles
The XGIMI AURA 3 projector is built for more than movies. Both models support 4K/120Hz playback with VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium and low-latency gaming modes, though 4K at 120Hz requires a compatible HDMI 2.1 source. Of the three HDMI ports, two support 4K at 120Hz and one offers eARC for soundbars and receivers.
Picture processing includes a Dual Dynamic Iris with DBLE, the X-VISION AI Image Processor and a reduced rainbow effect, addressing a classic complaint about single-chip laser projectors. It also carries Google TV, with apps including Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video built in.
Audio has not been left behind. Both models pack an 80W Harman Kardon sound system with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual, meaning the projector can handle movie sound without immediately asking buyers to add a soundbar. Connectivity rounds out with three USB ports, Gigabit LAN, optical audio and a 3.5mm output.
XGIMI AURA 3 projector pricing: Kickstarter launch deals
The XGIMI AURA 3 projector launches on Kickstarter at exclusive introductory prices: the Max at $2,399 against an MSRP of $4,999, and the Pro at $2,199 against an MSRP of $3,999. A fully refundable $50 deposit made through XGIMI’s website unlocked Super Early Bird pricing of $2,199 for the Max and $1,999 for the Pro, an additional $200 in savings, before the deposit window closed on October 20.
For buyers building a complete setup, XGIMI is offering bundle deals that pair the projector with screens. An AURA 3 Max bundled with a 120-inch XGIMI Ascend UST screen is priced at $4,999 on Kickstarter against an $8,998 MSRP, while a Max with a 120-inch Fresnel ALR screen costs $3,699 against $6,998.
XGIMI says shipping is expected to begin in December 2026, following the Kickstarter campaign. Fixed ALR screens are expected in January 2027 and the motorised Ascend floor-rising screens in February 2027, though the company notes timelines remain estimates until confirmed on its campaign page.
Why the XGIMI AURA 3 projector matters for home cinema
The launch caps a year in which XGIMI has pushed ultra-short-throw technology firmly into the mainstream. The company showed off the AURA 3 concept at IFA and opened US reservations weeks ago, building momentum through tech media including Notebookcheck, GizmoChina and StereoNET before the official launch.
Large televisions have one unavoidable problem: they remain large even when switched off. The XGIMI AURA 3 projector offers another approach, delivering a massive picture while occupying far less wall space, and with brightness and contrast that narrow the gap with high-end TVs.
Whether crowdfunding buyers embrace a $2,000-plus projector sight unseen remains to be seen. But with 4K/120Hz, triple-laser colour, Dolby Vision and a 120-inch image from eight inches away, the XGIMI AURA 3 projector makes a strong case that the future of the living-room cinema is a box that barely leaves the floor. With retail prices of $4,999 for the Max and $3,999 for the Pro, the Kickstarter window is the cheapest way in.