PICO is not a new VR company, in fact they already exist since 2015, started off with simple VR standalone headsets (HMD) with 3DOF capability meant for education and enterprise segment. Over the years as PICO and other brand competition progresses to bring in more, better HMD’s to cater today’s need taking on implementation for better resolution, processing power and connectivity with other PC VR powered devices.
We will dive to the review and talk about several things over the PICO 4 VR, PICO’s latest VR HMD offering that focuses on good specs, comfort, design, and some comparison
Unboxing
The following below is the contents in the box
- PICO 4 VR Headset
- Controllers * 2
- 1.5V AA Alkaline Batteries * 4
- Glasses Spacer * 1
- Nose Pad * 1
- Controller Lanyards*2
- USB-C Power Adapter * 1
- USB-C to C 2.0 Data Cable * 1
- Quick Guide * 1
- User Guide * 1
- Safety and Warranty Guide * 1
Specifications & Comparison
Category : HMD (Hybrid Standalone) – Inside Out Type HW
| Brand/Model | PICO 4 | PICO 3 NEO LINK | HTC VIVE FOCUS 3 | META Quest 2 (Oculus) | HTC VIVE FOCUS PLUS |
| Store Platform | Pico Store | Pico Store | Viveport Enterprise | Quest Store | Viveport Consumer |
| OS | Android + PICO OS 5 | Android + PICO OS 4.7 | Android + Vive OS | Android + Oculus Home | Android + Vive OS |
| SOC | Qualcomm XR2 | Qualcomm XR2 | Qualcomm XR2 | Qualcomm XR2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 6GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 6GB RAM | 4GB RAM |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 256GB | 128GB | 64/128/256GB | 32GB |
| MicroSD | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | 90Hz | 120hz | 75Hz |
| Resolution | 2160×2160 per-eye | 1832×1920 per-eye | 2448×2448 per eye | 1832×1920 per eye | 1440×1600 per eye |
| Passthrough | RGB Color | B/W | B/W | B/W | B/W |
| FoV | 105° | 98° | 113° | 113.46° | 113° |
| Tracking Type | 6DOF | 6DOF | 6DOF | 6DOF | 6DOF |
| Optics Type | Pancake | Fresnel | Fresnel | Fresnel | Fresnel |
| Hand Tracking | YES | YES | YES | YES | Partial |
| PORTS | USB Type-C | USB-C 3.0, DisplayPort Type C | USB-C 3.1 Type-C | USB-C, DP support | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, Wired Display mode |
| PC Support | PICO Streaming +SteamVR | PICO Streaming + SteamVR | Viveport Enterprise Streaming + SteamVR + AMD Link | Oculus Link + SteamVR | Viveport Consumer Streaming + SteamVR + AMD Link |
| Wireless | WiFi 6 802.11 ac/ax + BT 5.x | WiFi 6 802.11 ac/ax + BT 5.x | WiFi 6 802.11 ac/ax + BT 5.x | WiFi 6 802.11 ac/ax + BT 5.x | WiFi 6 802.11 ac + BT 5.x |
| Weight | 586g | 620g | 785g | 503g | 705g |
| Battery | 5300mAh | 5300mAh | 7000 mAh | 3640 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Price | RM1699/1999 | RM2299* | RM5599 | RM1899* | RM3699 |
Design
The PICO 4 carries a weight of 586 Grams, which is consider around the same weight with most of the HMD today, however most of the weight is distributed in 2 ways, batteries located at the back with fabric padding and the rest of the component is located directly at the HMD area, which makes overall balanced in weight distribution. Since I have touch on the padding, yes it is fabric and I know some prefer silicone pads, it is fine if this HMD is played between just with few person that you know, if not, it is better to look for third party replacement padding or get VR eye/face mask which is disposable. There is no 3.5mm audio jack, which means Bluetooth may be very well the only answer if you wish to connect it with your own headphones, or earbuds.
Controllers are very well built with PICO uses curvature plastic sensors while most uses rounded, this could very well gave PICO 4 an advantage when it comes to movement detection with higher sensitivity compare to controllers that reads the front parts. Another portion I liked is the battery compartment for the controller which can be replace easily with any AA batteries and slotted in without worrying wrong insertion position and thus this prevents accidental battery cover loosen after long periods of use.
Display & Audio
Most VR HMD uses Fresnel Lens as it is much common on major HMD found today, but PICO chooses to use Pancake Lens as it brings several benefits, firstly Pancake lens is thinner, therefore lighter contribution to the overall weight giving PICO more room to fit components on the front HMD. Second reason is to decrease the display distance in curvature by bouncing the lights with the lens, thus this method gave faster responses towards the user in reacting or interacting in the VR world. Since we talked about the Lens type, lets go further on the display. PICO 4 display carries a resolution of 2160×2160 per-eye with refresh rate mode at 72Hz or 90Hz, which in today’s VR standard, it is sufficient and fast enough to render every title available, be it PC or Standalone based games which also gives up to 1200PPI which is a lot to see in a VR screen. IPD can be adjusted via software and it is motorised IPD adjuster which we will talk about in the software side.
Upon that the PICO 4 came with a 16MP RGB camera so that you can navigate the real world in color, with that developer can take advantage of creating AR or XR based applications or games with this HMD. To access the RGB camera mode, just tap on the side twice.
Sound and Audio wise, there is 2 speakers each side located at the front lever of the strap, which sounds surprisingly quite good with some surround like element to it, if you wish to use your own headphones, Bluetooth earbuds or headphones are your only answer.
Connectivity
There is ways of connecting the PICO 4 to the PC, especially for those who loves to play with PC VR titles. You can download PICO Link for Windows for those who wanted to link up your PICO 4 to PC and play SteamVR titles. This will work both in Wireless 5Ghz and DP to USB C cable. Do take note for SteamVR, the same rules follows where you will need a Laptop/PC that is VR Ready, otherwise your PC may not have enough power to actually play any VR Apps or Games, be it via wired or wireless, also please ensure that your router has to be at least running on AC WiFi and the PC/Laptop WiFi has to be the same or above.
For those that wanted to mirror your screen to your TV or PC, most Laptop/PC with WiFi supports mirror screening/Miracast which you can mirror it to the screen. For those who wanted to mirror it to your phones or tablet, you can download the PICO VR Mobile app which enables you to check your device status, mirror your VR device, and manage multiple headsets, if you have more than one. Do take note you will need a PICO account ready as well, if not just register one, its free to register.
Software/OS, App Store Front & Performance
Underneath the PICO 4, the hardware is powered by Qualcomm XR2 SOC, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. This in actual fact gives the very best that what a mobile hybrid VR HMD has, and PICO has specifically vetted most of the apps in PICO Store.
OS wise, the HMD is driven with PICO’s own PICO OS 5, which is quite a step up from OS 4.7 available on PICO 3/Neo Link. The experience is simple and easy to use, with bright icons showing what it does and better fonts with limited themes customisation on user side. Overall, day to day navigation is very satisfying and no complains there. IPD can be adjusted via the display as well where 65mm seems to be just nice for me, even competing brands, but your mileage may vary. Host of defaulted apps are available, from file manager to video player which provides PICO’s own streaming services, TikTok profile login and I have no trouble accessing it over my NAS to enjoy my movies, otherwise you can also stream online from hosts of services such as Netflix or Disney+. It does have a built in web browser too. In the end this is an inside-out Android VR HMD, if you are an seasonal Android user, navigation should not be hard.
As a standalone Headset, the PICO 4 hosts games and applications over at PICO Store with your account signed in and fairly quite organised for a young app store but still can be improved once PICO gets more developers in to provide a variety of apps and games for consumer. For now I am still happy to see most games are in it such as Angry Birds VR and Arizona Sunshine.
Over to the performance aspect, this is simply satisfying, with overall good visual and control representation, screendoor effect is still there, but fairly minimal, whether I am on PC Link or standalone mode with control schemes mapped correctly as if you are seamlessly on PC based VR game or inbuilt games. Framerate is well kept stable also on both modes, even there is a slight drop you would not felt that much as long you have a stable connection, and I mean at least over AC WiFi or above.
Verdict & Conclusion
The Pico 4 VR Standalone HMD is one great take on the market that is targeting the mass consumer and beyond, which includes small enterprise and developer segment which is standing at an affordable level with more exploring possibilities for the intended users to create applications and games for it. Not to mention the HMD provides a good balance of weight for long game play with good gripping controllers. With PICO efforts and support of openly releasing new updates, SDK and support from the company’s HQ, this is benefiting consumers, app developer and enthusiast to get attracted and VR may just gain more adoption and popularity from it. While the in app/games pricing is a little expensive (due to our local exchange rate) we hope that PICO will have more special sales in order to attract a larger user base within the region.
Pricing & Availability
The PICO 4 is now currently available at RM1699 for the 128GB and RM1999 for the 256GB storage model. For more information, CLICK HERE to find out
Unit is provided by PICO for the purpose of this review.