Leia Lume Pad 2 Review: 3D Technology Without Any Extra Devices

At Wccftech, we are asked by many companies to review products, and sometimes we come across something incredibly unique that it becomes challenging to review. We were contacted by Leia Inc., who have tirelessly worked on creating 3D display technology over the last eight years. The company's upcoming device — the Lume Pad 2 — allows users to see videos, movies, and images in three dimensions without using different devices or peripherals. This is done via the tablet, which is quite the experience. Let's jump right in and look at the Leia Lume Pad 2.

Author's note: The images do not transfer well to film when rendered in three dimensions or a stereoscopic format. Images may appear blurry as the camera cannot show a device producing an altered perception of an image or video to a user's eyes. That being said, this is a device where seeing it in person is much more exciting than photographs cannot show. Please keep that in mind during the review.

Leia Inc's Lume Pad 2: Accessible three-dimensional technology at anyone's hands, but for a price

The Leia Lume Pad 2 has a Snapdragon 888 chipset with Qualcomm Kryo 680 octa-core processor. The graphics are powered by the Adreno 660, which shows quite well on the Qualcomm Hexagon 780 with Qualcomm All-Ways Aware display. Onboard is 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and for storage is 128 GB Flash UFS 3.1. It offers Face ID and a Fingerprint sensor for added security. The battery is a lithium-ion 9270 mAh rechargeable battery that provides a high-speed charging of 33W+. The glass display is made of high-strength Gorilla Glass and an anodized aluminum enclosure to keep the internals safe.

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The display is an IPS LCD with 16M colors, multi-point touch support, and 2D and 3D Lightfield modes supported by the device. The display is a large 12.4-inch 2D resolution of 2560 x 1600 WQXGA of 16:10. 3D viewing is handled during landscape modes with tracked stereo and disappears when looking at the device in portrait modes. The field of view of the tracked 3D is 86° while the 2D viewing angle is 180°. The refresh rate is 120 Hz (but most videos from the user will be less than 60 Hz), and the 2D PPI is 244.

Leia Inc.'s lightfield technology splits the image into layers, allowing the picture or video to appear in three dimensions, which is quite impressive. Looking at videos and photos from up to three feet away allows most media to show the power of Leia Inc.'s proprietary technology. The only downfall would happen with temperature affecting the device or poor rendering on a few images, which could be from a recent update.

Speaking of the tablet, the Lume Pad 2 is hefty in both construction and weight. Trying to take images at the perfect angle with one hand is almost impossible unless you are used to carrying a few pounds for several minutes while trying to line up the shot perfectly. For instance, taking a selfie or image from the front requires two hands to keep the tablet steady while the mixture of cameras and AI work in tandem to split the layers and focus the images simultaneously. Luckily for the user, the camera has a preview window that allows you to see the individual layers but warns you if you cannot take a perfect image to render into three dimensions. If there is too much contrast, the photos cannot separate, causing the picture to not appear in 3D. Having some experience taking great images comes in handy and far exceeds everyday phone photography from any Tom, Dick, and Harry.

Several applications work specifically with the Lume Pad 2, most from the company and several games from third-party game developers. Additionally, a movie rental application only shows movies already pre-rendered in 3D. Users get two movies for free for buying the Lume Pad 2 — Gravity and Pacific Rim — with several other movie choices, albeit a somewhat small collection compared to 2D rental websites or services.

The applications supplied by Leia Inc. for the Lume Pad 2 are

• Leia Dream: Leia Dream incorporates Stable Diffusion, the AI-aided art application that takes user prompts and artwork and creates "new" images that can be rendered in 3D. This exciting application takes some basic knowledge of Stable Diffusion and a lot of specificities from the user when creating a prompt. Typing in the box "a cat" and expecting a brilliant work of art will not favor well, but being more specific by adding location, environment, actions, clothes, etc., that the cat could have going on around it would offer better results. Additionally, users can fine-tune these prompts through several other actions before creating artwork.

  

  

  

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• Leia Viewer: Leia View offers users a selection of 3D models from Sketchfab, plus the ability to access additional free models from Sketchfab's library. Users with an account will have even more access, but it is only a viewer and not any other type of application.
• Leia Cam: Leia's Camera application utilizes the stereoscopic 3D cameras on the front and rear of the tablet and assistance with the onscreen preview to ensure images appear more 3D in nature, not flat objects. The cameras on the Leia Lume Pad 2 are offset just slightly to assist with the imaging and rendering. Then the lightfield technology transfers those two images into layers, constructing an image that jumps almost four inches off the screen.
• Leia Tube: This is a unique application, in this writer's opinion, as it can take streaming videos from sites like YouTube, Vevo, and more, or even pre-recorded video from the user to allow the system's AI to render, in real-time, any video. However, it does not take live video from sites such as Twitch and others to render in stereoscopic view. The AI does a beautiful job rendering most videos quite well, but expectations should not be incredibly high. Remember, the software generates this; not all videos will look great, even in 3D.

• Leia Player: This allows you to convert your images connected through your compatible phone to three dimensions. It also does a decent job with video but shines more in static imagery.
• Leia Pix: Leia Pix allows you to upload the images you take with the device or render from the device to its social media network of 3D photographers and users who love to dabble in stereoscopic imagery. It is neat to see enthusiasts with the education and equipment take fantastic images and see others try to create their photos for the world to see.
• Leia Frame: This is the tablet's image and video viewer, with some pictures/video clips already installed, with the option to add images and video to the collection. Users can then prop up the tablet to watch the display rotate through its library.
• Leia Chat: Only other Lume Pad 2 users can utilize this application, which works similarly to video chat applications like Zoom. Two Lume Pad 2 users can chat back and forth, but this application will collect dust if you don't know someone who owns the same device.
• Leia Flix: This is only available to US users but is the company's movie rental service. As stated before, users receive two movies for free, and most movies cost a few dollars to rent and watch in 3D. The workaround for users not wanting to spend a small amount to watch a pre-rendered 3D film can use the Leia Tube application to upload a YouTube video or movie and have the system do its best to render in three dimensions. Just remember to keep your expectations low when using Leia Tube.

  

  

  

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• Leia Appstore: Games and future applications can be purchased and downloaded from the company's application store, with more titles to be added. All games and apps are in 3D, and games range between $0.99 to $5.99, depending on the title.
• mozaik 3D: This educational software, which is the only title not by Leia Inc., can teach users about many different titles. Imagine combining Sketchfab's library and then slicing the images to see the inner workings of what you are being taught. Younger users and those looking for more knowledge will enjoy this application.

I had spoken briefly earlier in this review about the temperature that appears with the Lume Pad 2. Near the cameras, the tablet becomes hot but not scalding to the touch. This is partly because the camera and system technology create stereoscopic images and movies. However, even when not using the camera on the rear of the device, the cameras facing the user are always on. This is where it causes the tablet to rise in temperature and will cause the software to, at times, act buggy. I waited until the last update to review this device to give the development team enough time before the full release to fix any bugs and add any last-minute tweaks or software before I gave my final viewpoints. The heat has always been consistent with the Lume Pad 2, and the occasional bugginess of the cameras when the temperature rises infrequently happens but also at the exact times, leading this review to believe that they both are affected by the increased temperatures.

Does this mean the Lume Pad 2 is terrible? No. It is a fantastic gateway into stereoscopic photography and videography while allowing everyday users to experience something that large 3D television sets of the past or movie theaters could only supply. Three-dimensional technology is starting to appear in more devices over the last several months, with manufacturers such as BOE making televisions that also do not require unique eyewear to use them. This glasses-free 3D technology seems to be making a resurgence in modern display technology. Coupled with artificial intelligence, it shows how far we have come in bringing numerous technological advancements into the home.

Do I feel that stereoscopic technology, such as Leia Inc.'s lightfield technology, will remain in the marketplace and eventually replace standard phones, tablets, televisions, and more? The Lume Pad 2 is an expensive tablet, priced at $1,099 (with the protective cover costing an additional $49), that this writer feels that only enthusiasts will pick up initially. When the market for this type of technology can become more commonplace and affordable, as well as easier for filmmakers and developers to make the stereoscopic media on fewer resources (technology and monetary), then I feel that the Lume Pad and its future generations will have a better access point in today's lifestyle. However, the technology will remain a luxury item for those willing to invest right now.

Users interested in the Lume Pad 2 by Leia Inc. can receive a complimentary tablet stand (retail value of $99) if purchased by June 13, 2023, as part of the company's Father's Day celebration. Users can enter the code FATHERSDAY23 at checkout to receive the free stand.

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Wccftech Rating

Leia Inc.'s Lume Pad 2 is an impressive Android tablet for users interested in seeing media in three dimensions through the company's revolutionary Lightfield technology. With some hardware issues, such as rising temperatures while in use and rare halts of the technology, the Lume Pad 2 is a premium gateway into stereoscopic devices.

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