# Xgimi Aura 3 Max vs Aura 3 Pro: Brightness, Contrast and Price Compared URL: https://gadgeek.in/buying-guides/xgimi-aura-3-max-pro-comparison-e406e4 Published: 2026-11-04T19:53:56+05:30 Author: Deepak Mishra Section: Buying Guides Topics: xgimi aura 3 max, xgimi aura 3 pro, ultra-short-throw projector, rgb triple laser, google tv, 4k 120hz, kickstarter, buying guides > Xgimi Aura 3 Max and Aura 3 Pro share 4K 120Hz and Google TV, differing in brightness, contrast and price from $1,999 on Kickstarter. Both offer the same core platform with 4K UHD at 120Hz, identical optics, gaming features and Google TV. The choice comes down to brightness, native contrast, price and budget, with the Max suited to bright living rooms and the Pro to moderately lit or light-controlled rooms. | Feature | Xgimi Aura 3 Max | Xgimi Aura 3 Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | Brightness | 5,700 ISO lumens | 4,100 ISO lumens | | Native contrast | 8,000:1 | 7,000:1 | | Light source | RGB Triple Laser, 110% BT.2020 | RGB Triple Laser, 110% BT.2020 | | Resolution and refresh rate | 4K UHD at 120Hz | 4K UHD at 120Hz | | Throw ratio | 0.163:1 (about 8 inches for 120-inch image) | 0.163:1 (about 8 inches for 120-inch image) | | Optics | 19-element optical glass, dual-iris system | 19-element optical glass, dual-iris system | | HDR support | Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ | | Gaming features | VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium, 1ms response | VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium, 1ms response | | Processor | Dual Texas Instruments DLPC controllers | Dual Texas Instruments DLPC controllers | | Audio | 80W Harman Kardon 2.0 channel, Dolby Atmos | 80W Harman Kardon 2.0 channel, Dolby Atmos | | Smart system | Google TV with Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Play Store | Google TV with Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Play Store | | Setup features | Auto keystone, auto focus, wall colour adaptation | Auto keystone, auto focus, wall colour adaptation | | 3D | Cinematic 3D mode, two pairs of 3D glasses | Cinematic 3D mode, two pairs of 3D glasses | | US pricing | MSRP $4,999; Kickstarter from $2,199 to $2,399 | MSRP $3,999; Kickstarter from $1,999 to $2,199 | Xgimi has not announced India pricing or availability at the time of writing. ## What both projectors share According to [Gizmochina](https://www.gizmochina.com/2026/11/04/xgimi-aura-3-max-and-xgimi-aura-3-pro-comparison/), the Aura 3 Max and Aura 3 Pro share the same physical design and underlying processing technology. Both are console-sized ultra-short-throw alternatives to large televisions that sit on a media cabinet a few inches from the wall instead of requiring ceiling mounts or long cable runs. Both use an RGB Triple Laser light engine with dedicated red, green and blue lasers, claimed to cover 110% of the BT.2020 colour space. Both support 4K UHD at 120Hz powered by dual Texas Instruments DLPC controllers. The series was presented at IFA 2026 in Berlin as the world's first ultra-short-throw line to combine 4K resolution with 120Hz, as noted by [China Gadgets](https://www.china-gadgets.de/xgimi-aura-3-serie/). Both support Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode and AMD FreeSync Premium with a listed 1ms response time for gaming on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. ## Brightness and contrast The main difference is light output and native contrast. The Aura 3 Max outputs 5,700 ISO lumens with 8,000:1 native contrast, while the Aura 3 Pro outputs 4,100 ISO lumens with 7,000:1. According to Gizmochina, the Max is the higher-end model for bright living rooms and larger screen sizes, including rooms with large windows where viewing during the day without drawing curtains is needed. Its higher contrast helps maintain deeper black levels at higher brightness. The Pro remains bright for a home projector and handles a moderately lit room comfortably, but will show more washout under direct, harsh sunlight. [Qoo10 Indonesia](https://gadget.qoo10.co.id/teknologi/xgimi-aura-3-max-vs-aura-3-pro/) notes the brightness gap is the most important differentiator for living-room use with strong ambient light, and that the Max is aimed at open rooms with large windows and daytime exposure. [Teknologi Qoo10](https://teknologi.qoo10.co.id/682559/xgimi-aura-3-max-vs-aura-3-pro/) describes the Pro as suited to moderate lighting, basements or dedicated media rooms where curtains can be closed. ## Optics, throw ratio and iris system Both use a 19-element optical glass system with a 0.163:1 throw ratio, which allows a 120-inch image from about eight inches from the wall, or about 20 centimetres as described by China Gadgets. This wide-angle optic is the defining trait of an ultra-short-throw projector, producing a large diagonal from directly in front of the wall or screen. Both feature a dual-iris system, described as a Dynamic Dual Iris light path. The iris physically adjusts the amount of light passing through the lens frame by frame to improve black levels and shadow detail without relying entirely on digital processing. According to [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/articles/xgimis-aura-3-series-achieves-170000614.html) citing XGIMI's announcement, the technology was originally introduced in the TITAN Noir Series and is being brought to the ultra-short-throw category for the first time with the Aura 3 Series. [Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/xgimi-aura-3-pro-max-projector-kickstarter-orders-live-3725842/) explains the dual dynamic iris uses two apertures to better control projected light, helping with deeper blacks and more detailed highlights. The outlet also notes the brightness figures are notably high compared with most Google TV projectors that top out around 1,000 to 2,000 lumens and typical UST projectors that usually top out at 3,000 lumens, with the previous Xgimi Aura 2 rated at 2,300 lumens. ## Picture processing, HDR and gaming The dual Texas Instruments DLPC controller architecture enables true 4K 120Hz on both models for detailed visuals and smoother motion across movies and games. Both support Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10 and HLG, with Android Authority also listing HDR10+ support. ## Audio, software and setup Both come with an 80W Harman Kardon 2.0 channel sound system that supports Dolby Atmos, so no external soundbar is required for basic use. Both run Google TV with native support for Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video, plus access to the Play Store to download Android apps and games directly on the projector. Setup is handled by automated tools on both models, including auto keystone, auto focus and wall colour adaptation, which corrects the image for non-white walls. Both also include a Cinematic 3D mode and ship with two pairs of 3D glasses, as noted by Android Authority. ## Price and availability According to Gizmochina, the Aura 3 Max has an MSRP of $4,999 with an early Kickstarter price of $2,199, while the Aura 3 Pro has an MSRP of $3,999 with an early Kickstarter price of $1,999. According to Yahoo Finance, Kickstarter orders opened on 20 October 2026. According to Android Authority, the Aura 3 Pro was $2,199 and the Aura 3 Max was $2,399 on Kickstarter against eventual MSRPs of $3,999 and $4,999 respectively, with projector and screen bundles starting at $3,699. Yahoo Finance reports the Aura 3 Series surpassed $15 million in pledges within 23 hours of launching on 20 October, reaching $10 million in just two hours and attracting more than 5,800 backers worldwide, setting a new Kickstarter record for the fastest campaign to reach $10 million. Separately, in a later tally reported in euros, China Gadgets reports that within the first days there were already over 7,000 supporters who had contributed over €16 million, making it the most funded project on the platform at that time, with the campaign running until early December 2026. China Gadgets also notes that Kickstarter and Indiegogo are crowdfunding platforms where private individuals financially support new products without a guarantee of receiving the finished product, which makes participation a risk. ## Which should you buy Choose the Aura 3 Max if your room has strong ambient light, large windows or you plan to watch and game during the day without blackout curtains, as its 5,700 ISO lumens and 8,000:1 native contrast are designed to preserve punch and shadow detail in those conditions. Choose the Aura 3 Pro if you have a moderately lit living room, basement or dedicated media room where you can control light. You get the same RGB Triple Laser colour, 4K 120Hz with dual DLPC controllers, dual-iris optics, 80W Harman Kardon audio and Google TV for a lower outlay, with lower peak brightness and slightly lower native contrast. ## FAQ ### What is the brightness difference between the Xgimi Aura 3 Max and Xgimi Aura 3 Pro? The Aura 3 Max is rated at 5,700 ISO lumens and the Aura 3 Pro at 4,100 ISO lumens. ### Do both support 4K 120Hz gaming features? Yes. Both support 4K UHD at 120Hz powered by dual Texas Instruments DLPC controllers, and both include Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, AMD FreeSync Premium and a 1ms response time. ### What do they share for optics and placement? Both use a 19-element optical glass system with a 0.163:1 throw ratio, needing about eight inches from the wall for a 120-inch image, and both use a dual-iris system to control light frame by frame for deeper blacks and better highlight detail. ### What about audio and smart features? Both have an 80W Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos and Google TV with native Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video, plus auto keystone, auto focus and Cinematic 3D with two pairs of glasses. ### How much do they cost? MSRPs are $4,999 for the Max and $3,999 for the Pro, with Kickstarter prices of $1,999 to $2,399 and bundles from $3,699. --- Source: GadGeek (https://gadgeek.in). When citing, link https://gadgeek.in/buying-guides/xgimi-aura-3-max-pro-comparison-e406e4 and give the publication date.