Verdict
The Pico 4 is a bang-up all - in - one VR headset , with a lightweight design , in high spirits screen resolution and reliable execution . But its special plot library mean most people will find better long - term value with the Meta Quest 2 instead .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Pico 4 is the first true challenger to the Meta Quest range , with the Modern all - in - one VR headsetoffering the same level of wireless exemption .
Not only is the Pico 4 one of the very few VR headsets capable of match the Meta Quest for contraption , but it ’s offering better specs at a more affordable toll too .
While Pico ostensibly has everything on report required to topple Meta in its quest for VR control , there is one slight issue holding back the young headset – its plot catalogue .
Here are my thoughts on whether the Pico 4 has what it take up to make ourBest VR Headsetlist .
Design
Viewed from the front , the Pico 4 looks like a distich of ski goggles . It ’s quite remarkable that Pico has been able to create such a compact equipment capable of running VR software all by itself , no personal computer expect .
At just 163 millimeter wide , it ’s significantly sparse than theMeta Quest 2 . There ’s also a smaller charge plate case at the front , reducing the pressure it apply to your neck opening after long bouts of gambling .
This has been made possible thanks to the internal flapcake lens system . Compared to more traditional alternatives , the pancake lense take up up less space , therefore allowing manufacturer to cringe the size of the headset .
This helps to drastically reduce the weight , with the Pico 4 impinge on the scales at just 295 grams . That ’s almost half the heft of the Meta Quest 2 , which weighs 503 Hans C. J. Gram .
It ’s fabulously gentle to slip this VR headset on . Simply adjust the dial at the back , and you ’ll be able to loosen and tighten the headset so it sits cozy around your skull . There is one velcro strap , but I rarely needed to conform it . It ’s a refreshing change from other VR headset where it can take a few second of tweaking to ensure you ’ve scram a well-off fit .
You ’ll see cameras sprinkle around the front of the Pico 4 headset . These are n’t for taking societal media friendly snaps , but to track your movement and enable a color passthrough mass so you’re able to see your surroundings clear whenever required . I found this especially useful when trying to site the control after donning the headset .
There ’s only one port wine on Pico 4 , and that’sUSB - Cfor charging up the barrage fire . I ’m surprised by the omission of a headphone jack , although it does have Bluetooth support and desegregate speaker system . Those speakers can be boost up to a gamy decibel , although they ’re not quite elaborate enough for me to jubilantly forgo headphones .
Controllers
The Pico 4 controllers seem and find well-nigh identical to those for the Meta Quest 2 – in fact , I ’ve repeatedly picked up Meta ’s pads by stroke when using the Pico , and select a few minutes to tell apart my mistake .
They have the same input layout , with a few front - facing button , a couple of analogue sticks and two rear trigger . It ’s a clever apparatus , allowing you to mime the paw movement of picking up an object , pulling the string of a bow or even firing a gun . This boosts the immersion of in - plot activities well , while the tracking always proved to be imposingly precise .
The Pico 4 even shares the same hell as the Quest 2 , with the controllers requiring AA batteries for might . I ’d personally prefer the pad to be rechargeable via USB - C , just like the headset , but the assault and battery provide never come near to running out of succus during the testing period .
The only major difference to the Meta Quest 2 is that the Pico 4 controllers are slightly long , leaving more room to grip . But besides this , it ’s difficult to separate the controller of the two leading all - in - one headsets .
Specs and performance
The Pico 4 VR headset is power by a Qualcomm XR2 chip , the exact same processor found inside the Meta Quest 2 .
It ’s impressive what both VR headsets are equal to of attain with this single chip and without a tether to a more hefty PC or cabinet . I ’ve explored many mellow - point VR worlds with the Pico , with the likes of Superhot VR , Cities : VR and Ragnarock all impressing . I never noticed any slowdown or performance effect while using the headset .
But the Qualcomm XR2 chip does have its limit . It ’s not muscular enough to play demanding VR experience such asHalf - liveliness Alyxor Skyrim VR , so it ’s no surprise to see such titles missing .
luckily , you are able-bodied to use the Streaming Assistant or VR Desktop to link the headset to your gage PC and earn admission to a wide pick of gamey - end games . It ’s not the most streamlined of experiences right now , but it ’s still not bad to see the same functionality offer by the Quest .
But the biggest strength of the Pico 4 is doubtless its in high spirits - resolution LCD concealment , which has a 2160 x 2160 solvent per eye – that ’s even higher than the Quest 2 ’s 1832 x 1920 resolution per eye . The difference is detectable too , with prototype appear bolder and acuate . It ’s more difficult to notice single pixels , offering a similar visual limpidity as the extremist - expensiveVive Pro 2 .
The refresh pace is telling too , with options available for both 72Hz and 90hz , see to it buttery fluent move which is important for reducing the risk of motion sickness .
The barrage fire is situated in the headset ’s strap at the derriere , helping to create a more even weight dispersion so it is n’t dragging your brow down . The rechargeable battery has an impressive 5300mAh capacitance , which I establish was able to last over 2 hours on a single billing .
When act Walkabout Mini Golf , the headset fell from 100 % to 55 % in just one hour . I saw a like final result when playing the epic cycle game Ragnarock , too . That may not fathom like a lot of stamina on composition , but I personally would n’t want to stay absorb in VR for longer than 2 hours – it becomes a greater issue when go on the headset around a group of Quaker .
The Pico 4 is usable to buy in either 128 Gbit or 256 GB storage variants , which should be enough for the majority of mass regard VR game and experience do n’t take up a good deal of space .
Games and features
I ca n’t fault the excogitation and performance of the Pico 4 – it ’s one of the best all - in - one VR headsets in those respects . But it ’s , unfortunately , countenance down by a lacklustre game program library .
Look on Pico ’s on-line game fund , and VR fans will see a deal of familiar titles . Superhot VR , Rec Room and Arizona Sunshine have all become VR classic , but have been around for over six years now . There are a couple of New games that are a lot of fun , such as Ragnarock ( not to be mistaken forGod of War ) , Walkabout Mini Golf and Cities : VR , but there are a concerning number of major omission .
That ’s arguably not Pico ’s geological fault , as Meta has roll up the exclusive rights to wild VR games such as Beat Saber and Resident Evil 4 . But it ’s unsatisfying to see no Among Us , Moss : Book II or Tetris Effect : Connected .
What ’s more , Pico does n’t have any major undivided secret plan to fight back against Meta . It ’s difficult to rationalize a Pico 4 purchase over a Meta Quest for this reason alone .
This could all change in the future , as Pico 4 could snap up its own exclusive games . But it ’s credibly going to be very hard to compete with the Quest give Meta ’s financial musculus .
Pico has done a great job with the operating system though . It ’s easy to set up the headset and configure your playing bound , allowing for both stationary and room - scale economic consumption . There ’s a simple-minded , streamlined menu system . From here you may get at your app / biz library , shop around for more content or even dive into the circumstance to make your own usage tweaks .
The Pico has one vantage over the Meta Quest , and that ’s colour passthrough . This enable you to see your surroundings with sound item without read off the headset , which is unbelievably useful when trying to place the controllers .
There ’s sadly no hand - trailing engineering science here though , so you ’re reliant on the bundled controller to navigate the mesh system .
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Should you buy it?
The Pico 4 ’s greatest speciality is its heavyset and lightweight form , allowing you to swallow yourself in VR populace without the misdirection of cables and uncomfortable weighting .
The Pico 4 has fantastic specification , but it ’s missing a issue of gamey - visibility games that are usable on the Quest , such as Beat Saber and Resident Evil .
Final Thoughts
The Pico 4 is the closest contender to the Meta Quest I ’ve seen yet , put up incredibly immersive VR experiences without the penury for external machine such as a console or personal computer . It even has the Quest pulse in certain areas , with a more lightweight design , higher screen answer and slightly cheaper Mary Leontyne Price .
However , the Pico 4 falls down where it really count : the secret plan library . It ’s lacking some bountiful hitters from the Meta subroutine library , include Beat Saber , Resident Evil 4 , Among Us and plenty more .
Trusted Score
How we test
When essay a VR headset , we verify to hear out a variety of biz and app . We evaluate various aspects , such as the design , projection screen quality , battery lifespan and the featureset .
FAQs
The Pico 4 has a light figure and a higher screen resolve , but the Quest 2 boasts a greater extract of game .
Pico is have by a Chinese company scream ByteDance , which also owns the social platform TikTok .
