Aura launches Astra, a $399 photo frame with Swarovski crystals
The new 12-inch LCD frame pairs a crystal-covered design with Aura’s connected photo sharing. There is no subscription fee, but Wi-Fi is part of the setup.
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Why it matters
Astra is a new gift-oriented photo frame, with much of its distinction in the decorated enclosure. For a recipient, reliable photo contributions and a suitable place to display it may matter more than the crystal count.
Announcement or event date: .
A frame designed around a milestone gift
Aura introduced Astra on October 15, describing a $399 US photo frame decorated with more than 15,000 Swarovski crystals. The company positions it for weddings, anniversaries and other family milestones, with gift packaging and photos that can be prepared before the recipient opens it. The announcement names Aura’s store and Bloomingdale’s as retailers. That is an availability statement from the manufacturer, not a delivery commitment for a particular order.
Sources: Aura: meet Astra
A 12-inch LCD, rather than an e-paper frame
The US product page lists a 1600 × 1200 anti-glare LCD that stands in portrait or landscape. Aura markets it as 12-inch and specifies an 11.8-inch display diagonal. The Moonstone White design includes a paper-textured mat, a stand and a bezel touchbar. The mat does not make the screen electronic paper. Readers choosing between e-paper and LCD should treat Astra as an illuminated photo-and-video display, not as another version of Aura Ink.
No subscription does not mean no connected service
Aura says Astra has no subscription fees and includes unlimited cloud photo and video storage. Its FAQ says the Aura app is needed for setup, invitations and settings, and that Wi-Fi is required. This can suit relatives who want to keep contributing pictures from elsewhere, but it still relies on a connected service. A gift recipient needs a workable network and someone comfortable managing the account and invitations.
- Ask whether the recipient wants a changing family album or a mostly fixed picture.
- Choose contributors deliberately; a shared frame is another place where family photographs can be visible.
Sources: Aura: meet Astra · Aura Astra Moonstone — US specifications and FAQ
What to weigh against a less decorative frame
Start with the location: shelf depth, portrait or landscape placement, and how the decorated frame fits the room. Then consider who will add photographs after the gift is opened. Our Carver Mat and Aspen overview covers other Aura LCD options for that connected-album role. Astra’s launch does not establish better color, easier setup or more reliable sharing than those models. Treat the crystal finish as a design preference when comparing display features.
- Consider Astra when its finish is a specific part of the gift’s appeal.
- If decoration is not a priority, compare the display size, placement and sharing workflow before paying for the enclosure.
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