PICO 4 VR Headset is well-known for its decent virtual and mixed reality capabilities within a budget. Oftentimes, the headset is compared to its competitor, the Quest 2. But is it really better than Meta’s premium?
In this comprehensive review, we’ll find out if PICO 4 is worth a chance in 2025.
The PICO 4: An Affordable VR Headset
The PICO 4 virtual reality headset was released in October 2022, following its announcement in September. It is an Android-based standalone VR headset with amazingly intuitive features.
It’s a lightweight, budget-friendly headset which is very similar to the Quest 2. You can wear the headset wirelessly or connect it to a PC to access more apps. It also has all the basic mixed reality features such as full-color passthrough and a dedicated OS.
Specifications
Here’s a glance at all the specs:
Type | Standalone |
Resolution | 2160 x 2160 pixels per-eye |
Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | PICO 4 Controllers |
Hardware Platform | Standalone |
Software Platform | PICO OS |
Price | €429 [128 GB model] ; €499 [256 GB model] |
Note: PICO 4 is not available in the US. You can convert the price from euro to USD for an estimate.
Display and Resolution Quality
The PICO 4 VR headset uses pancake lenses that feel lighter than those of Quest 3. These lenses allow for a clearer visual experience as the virtual display feels far from your eyes. Moreover, these lenses consume less battery than Fresnel lenses.
The headset’s Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chip alongside 8 GB of RAM make its performance a high ride. Visuals are crisp with a 105 field of view and a high-resolution display.
PICO 4’s multiple optical sensors offer a full-color passthrough. But because it’s not designed for extensive mixed reality experiences, it cannot offer enough like the Vision Pro.
Ease of Using PICO 4
To start using PICO 4, you must create a PICO account on PICO 4. The registration process is super simple and you can do it on your PC as well. Create the account on your computer and login on your headset. Once you’ve logged in once, you’ll stay there until you log out.
Then, you’ll have to create your playspace. It’s easier than you may think with PICO 4’s 16MP RGB camera and color passthrough feature. Thus, you can see everything around you clearly. Once you’ve created a play area, you’re ready to start!
PICO 4 Review: Design, Features and Software
PICO 4 has mixed reviews from its users. While some comment on the headset’s software performance, others praise it. Here’s a detailed review of the VR headset:
Design
PICO 4 has a very balanced design that feels comfortable on use. It has excelled at weight distribution — with the display and main processor at the front and the battery on the back. The headset feels cozy, even though it weighs 586 grams.
You may also read: – VR Headset Weight Comparison
The pancake lenses are thin. However, there’s negatives too. PICO 4’s face padding is made of fabric rather than silicone, making it prone to sweating.
Moreover, you cannot use any wired headphones with the headset. Even though PICO offers exceptional 360-degree spatial audio, you can only connect Bluetooth headphones with the headset.
Specs & Features
PICO 4 is all-packed with the best, starting with the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chip and an 8 GB RAM. It also comes with a 5300mAh battery that lasts at least two-to-three hours. In addition, it supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
The headset also features a high-resolution display of 2,160 x 2,160 pixels per eye. You also get a wide field of view at 105 degrees, which allows you to see the whole virtual world.
You may also read:- How to Watch VR Movies For The First Time?
It all seems perfect, doesn’t it? But wait — PICO 4 has a maximum refresh rate of 90 Hz. By default, the setting is actually at 72 Hz. So, you have to go to the Settings and then to the ‘Experimental Lab’ tab to make it at 90 Hz.
Another part comes with the full-color passthrough. It offers a mixed reality experience, however, there isn’t much depth to the immersive experience.
Software
PICO 4’s digital store has a wide selection of games for users, including some of the best such as Walkabout Mini Golf. Unfortunately, a few largely popular games like Beat Saber and Resident Evil 4 VR aren’t available on PICO. Still, PICO 4 has good software performance.
Is PICO 4 Worth The Shot in 2025?
So, we come back to the ultimate question — Is PICO 4 worth it in 2025? Let’s weigh into the perks and drawbacks before an answer.
Pros of PICO 4 VR
- A powerful, budget-friendly VR headset.
The standalone headset is powerful on its own and capable of competing with Meta’s upgrade, the Quest Pro. You can get all the specs within a budget.
- Plenty of virtual games in store.
The PICO 4 digital store has tons of virtual reality games that will keep you entertained. Unless you want games that are available only on the Meta Store, PICO 4 is your pick.
- A comfortable and ergonomic design.
Due to PICO 4’s smart weight distribution and pancake lenses, the headset is very cozy and lightweight. In the price range, it’s one of the best you can get.
Cons of PICO 4 VR
- The device doesn’t feel polished.
PICO 4, the headset and its software are all at an excellence. However, a few aspects feel rough around the edges that takes away a polished feel.
- It doesn’t have the eye-tracking feature.
Unlike it’s competitors, the headset isn’t a proper next-gen with eye-tracking features. So if you’re looking for a headset with all those features, this one isn’t for you.
- Motion sickness is bound to happen.
By default, PICO 4 is set at a 72 Hz refresh rate which makes it hard to use it. Although you can change it to 90 Hz, the experiences still feel nauseating without a higher refresh rate.
Conclusion
To conclude, PICO 4 is a really good, budget-friendly headset if you’re looking for a basic virtual reality experience with an excellent display. However, it lacks many advanced features such as eye-tracking that are available on other devices at a similar price.
It can work its way with Meta Quest 2. Still, PICO 4 doesn’t have any chance against advanced headsets such as Quest Pro and Apple Vision Pro. But, here’s the point — PICO 4 is yours if you want a decent, first-try affordable headset.
