Skip to main content

Pico 4 VR headset is here to take on the Meta Quest 2

The Pico 4 VR headset has just been announced and the company claims big upgrades to image quality and comfort compared to the previous generation thanks to the new pancake lenses that should provide a larger sweet spot of ideal focus. The updated design also reduces the size and weight of this low-cost, stand-alone headset.

The display features a 2160 x 2160 pixel resolution per eye, up from the 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye of the Pico Neo 3 Link. That’s a third more pixels to make the image crisper. The field of view has increased to 105 degrees. While that isn’t the widest view among current VR headsets, it is more competitive and better than its main rival, the longstanding veteran, Meta’s Quest 2.

Pico 4 VR headset floats on a seamless white background
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The interpupillary distance can be fine-tuned in 0.5mm increments and is adjusted from the Pico 4’s user interface, rather than using physical sliders like most VR headsets. This should allow much more accurate spacing to maximize comfortable viewing.

The weight is 586 grams (1.3 pounds); however, a good portion of that heft is in the rear battery, providing a better distribution than front-heavy VR headsets like the Quest 2. Making the Pico 4 more comfortable and friendly is an ongoing theme with its newest model.

Pico pointed out that better social interaction will be possible in the Pico 4 with avatars, improved TikTok integration, fitness tracking, and plans for more virtual events in the future. Meta has a big lead in this area, but Pico is pushing forward and is working on its own section of the metaverse, Pico World.

Pico 4 VR headset includes fitness tracking.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The pass-through view has been upgraded to include color, making augmented reality experiences more satisfying. While Pico is using the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chip as the previous generation, the company expressed that performance will be improved in the Pico 4 due to its improved cooling capacity.

The Pico 4 will be priced at 429 euros for the 128GB model and 499 euros for 256GB of storage with pre-orders beginning on September 23 for beta members and general availability coming almost a month later, on October 18.

Unfortunately, there are no plans to release the Pico 4 in North America; however, a Pico 4 Enterprise variant is coming to the U.S. at a higher price and with extra features such as face and eye-tracking capabilities.

Editors' Recommendations

Alan Truly
Computing Writer
Alan is a Computing Writer living in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, Alan stays current on what is…
HTC Vive XR Elite vs. Meta Quest Pro: mixed-reality showdown
HTC's Vive XR Elite is a very sleek VR headset.

As more high-end VR headsets are arriving, HTC's new Vive XR Elite is looking to challenge Meta's Quest Pro as one of the best standalone VR headsets.

HTC’s New Vive XR Elite Headset: My First Impressions Trying It Out #shorts

Read more
How the Vive XR Elite can do high-end VR in a half-pound headset
The HTC Vive XR Elite without the battery cradle attached.

The Vive XR Elite has one seriously cool party trick.

Debuted at CES 2023, the latest headset from HTC is its first attempt at combining a high-end VR headset with AR technology. But more than that, within seconds, it can convert from a strapped-on headset to its much lighter glasses form. Just remove the battery cradle that straps to the back of your head, and you're left with a pair of lightweight XR glasses that weighs just 0.53 pounds.

Read more
Apple ‘Reality’ AR/VR headset: major leak shares new details
A render of Apple's VR headset.

A new report reveals several interesting details about Apple's AR/VR headset, which is expected to arrive in 2023. Apple remains silent on this product, but there have been enough patents filed, as well as leaks, to provide confirmation that the iPhone maker has done intensive research into the first of several AR wearables.

The latest news comes from The Information, which has provided some of the most detailed data of any leaker so far. The headset was already expected to be incredibly lightweight, which could be due to the battery being worn around the waist, as explained in the report. Apple's VR solution is said to feature a hot-swap design for the battery that would make the reported one-to-two-hour battery life less annoying.

Read more