Xgimi has begun accepting pre-orders for its new Aura 3 series of projectors, starting on September 1, 2026. This move comes ahead of the official crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, which is set to launch on October 20. The company says this pre-order phase allows customers to lock in the launch price now. Interested buyers can pay a $50 deposit on Xgimi’s official website to receive a $200 discount compared to the standard retail price. On October 20, they will receive an email with a link to finalize their purchase directly on Kickstarter. This two-step approach—pre-order followed by a crowdfunding campaign—mirrors a strategy previously used by the competitor AWOL Vision for its Aetherion Pro and Aetherion Max projectors. These models were successfully funded on Kickstarter in February 2026, with discounts that reached several thousand dollars compared to the recommended retail price. It is important to note that crowdfunding is not the same as a traditional store pre-order. When funding a product on Kickstarter, buyers are essentially supporting the project before it goes into production, which can lead to delays or uncertainties. While AWOL Vision delivered its Aetherion series after a successful campaign, contributors are still subject to the project timeline. For now, Xgimi has not yet disclosed the final selling price or a traditional retail launch date for the Aura 3 series in Europe. These details are expected to be revealed as the Kickstarter campaign approaches on October 20 or during the IFA trade show in Berlin, which starts on September 4. The Aura 3 series includes two models: the Aura 3 Max and the Aura 3 Pro. Both share the same core technology but differ in brightness and contrast. The Max model is the flagship, offering a peak brightness of 5,700 ISO lumens and a native contrast ratio of 8,000:1, compared to 4,100 ISO lumens and a 7,000:1 contrast ratio for the Pro version. Both models use a triple RGB laser light source, a 0.47-inch DMD DLP chip, and an optical engine called X-Vision bionic. This system integrates multiple hardware components to enhance image contrast. A feature called Dynamic Dual Iris adjusts brightness to create deeper blacks and brighter highlights, preserving more detail in darker scenes. With a projection ratio of 0.163:1, the Aura 3 series can display a 120-inch image from just 8 inches (about 20 centimeters) away from the wall, with an ultra-short throw capability of up to 200 inches. Both projectors support popular premium HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced, as well as a Filmmaker mode to preserve the original director’s vision in terms of color, frame rate, and image settings. For gaming, they support 4K at 120 Hz, Dolby Vision Gaming, and features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to reduce input lag. The audio system is developed in collaboration with Harman Kardon and delivers 80 watts of power, compatible with Dolby Atmos. The projectors also run on Google TV and include 2D and 3D anti-rainbow effect (anti-RBE) technology, along with two pairs of 3D glasses included in the box.