The Pico 4 is one of the most promising virtual reality (VR) headsets on the market. It offers an immersive experience thanks to its high-end features, a balance between performance and comfort.
Let's take a closer look at the technical specifications of this headset, comparing some of them with those of the HTC Vive pro 2one of its main competitors.
| Features | Pico 4 |
|---|---|
| Display resolution | 1920 x 2160 per eye |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz |
| Min PC processor required | N/A (Standalone) |
| Minimum PC RAM memory required | N/A (Standalone) |
| Storage capacity | 64 GB |
| Movement tracking | Motion tracking with 6 degrees of freedom |
| Controllers | Pico controllers |
| Audio | Integrated earphones |
| Connectivity | 2 USB-C ports, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Battery life | 3 hours |
| Weight | 420 g |
- Balanced, comfortable design. Thanks to its balanced design, the weight of the PICO 4 is distributed evenly over the front and back. The result is an excellent wearing sensation.
- Super-light for longer play. The pancake lens design has made the PICO 4 much lighter. Weighing less than 300 g, you can play comfortably for even longer.
- 4K+ monitor screen. The PICO 4 is equipped with two fast, 2.56-inch LCD screens that offer even deeper immersion in virtual reality, with a 105° field of view.
- Motorized pupil distance adjustment - The PICO 4 supports precise pupil distance adjustment from 62 to 72 mm via the configuration menu.
- Universal access, where you need it, when you need it. PICO OS 5.0 supports real-time contact with online friends and access to over 250 applications and games with the PICO Store.
Screen
The Pico 4 features an LCD screen offering a detailed resolution of 1920 x 2160 pixels per eye. This resolution may seem lower than that of some high-end competitors such as the HTC Vvie Pro 2 and its 2448 x 2448 per eye, but it's still more than sufficient and offers a crisp, immersive VR experience.
What's more, the refresh rate of up to 90 Hz guarantees excellent fluidity of movement, limiting the "seasickness" sensations that can sometimes be associated with virtual reality.
Software
This headset uses the Pico UI operating system, which is based on Android. This gives it access to a vast library of applications and games specifically designed for VR.
However, the Pico store, while rapidly expanding, does not yet benefit from the same variety or quantity of content as more established VR platforms such as Oculus or SteamVR, for example.
Controllers
The Pico 4 controllers have been designed to be intuitive and easy to use. They feature 6-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) motion tracking for natural, precise interaction with the environment.
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Each controller is equipped with a touchpad, action buttons and triggers, offering a wide range of controls to suit a variety of games and applications.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics are a strong point of the Pico 4. Weighing just 420g, it's significantly lighter than many VR headsets on the market, reducing fatigue during long gaming sessions.
Its balanced design distributes weight evenly over the head, minimizing pressure on the face. Comfortable padding and adjustable straps also enhance wearing comfort.
Audio
As far as audio is concerned, the Pico 4 features integrated stereo headphones that deliver good-quality sound, essential for complete immersion. These headphones are capable of producing spatial sound, reinforcing the sensation of presence in the virtual environment.
However, they can't compete with dedicated or high-end audio solutions in terms of sound quality and isolation. For those who prefer to use their own headphones or earphones, an audio jack is also available.
Watching videos in VR with the Pico 4
The Pico 4 offers an impressive and immersive virtual reality video viewing experience. Image quality, ease of use and battery life are key factors to consider for this feature.
Image resolution and fluidity
With a resolution of 1920 x 2160 pixels per eye, the Pico 4 offers an image sharp enough for convincing immersion. Although this is not the highest resolution on the market, it offers satisfactory image quality for a wide variety of video content.
The 90 Hz refresh rate, while not the highest among current VR headsets, ensures a fluid visual experience. This fluidity is essential to minimize the symptoms of discomfort that can arise when using VR.
Comfort for long sessions
Another factor influencing the VR video viewing experience is the comfort of the headset. Weighing just 420g, the Pico 4 is one of the lightest VR headsets on the market. This helps reduce fatigue during long viewing sessions.
Adapted autonomy
Battery life is also an important factor to consider. With a battery life of around 3 hours, the Pico 4 can watch a feature film or several episodes of a series without interruption.
All in all, the Pico 4 offers a perfectly decent VR video viewing experience. It combines satisfactory image quality, noticeable comfort for long sessions and battery life suited to extended use.
Pico 4 against the competition
Faced with virtual reality giants like the HTC Vive Pro 2, the Pico 4 enters the fray with distinctive and convincing arguments, although its offering differs significantly in terms of both performance and accessibility.
In terms of display resolution, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is undoubtedly in the lead, with a resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, beating out the Pico 4, which offers 1920 x 2160 pixels per eye.
This discrepancy has a significant influence on the graphic rendering, detail and sharpness of virtual reality environments, promoting a more intense immersion and richer visual experience with the HTC Vive Pro 2.
Nevertheless, the Pico 4 stands out brilliantly for its mobility and autonomy. Unlike the HTC Vive Pro 2, which requires connection to a PC, the Pico 4 is a standalone headset, meaning it can operate autonomously without depending on a computer.
This feature gives the user greater freedom of movement, an undeniable advantage for games and applications requiring extensive movement or physical activity.
What's more, the Pico 4's autonomy is estimated at around three hours, a major advantage over other VR headsets that require a constant wired power supply.
This specificity may tip the balance in favor of the Pico 4 for users looking for a virtual reality experience devoid of constraints and cumbersome wires.
To sum up, although the HTC Vive Pro 2 boasts a slightly superior visual experience thanks to its higher display resolution, the Pico 4 scores valuable points thanks to its ease of use, mobility and autonomy. The choice between these two headsets will therefore essentially depend on the expectations and specific needs of each user.
Advantages & disadvantages of the Pico 4
Benefits
- Good display resolution
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- Battery life for extended use
- Does not require a PC to operate
- Integrated headphones for an immersive audio experience
Disadvantages
- Lower display resolution than some competitors
- Less extensive games and applications catalog than PC platforms
- Requires smartphone for initialization
Pico 4: Conclusion
As a counterweight to the giant HTC Vive Pro 2, the Pico 4 headset draws a VR landscape where performance and portability can coexist harmoniously.
Presented as a lighter, standalone alternative, this VR headset bets on a pleasant, unconstrained user experience, even if its display resolution of 1920 x 2160 pixels per eye and 90 Hz refresh rate don't compete directly with the high-end HTC Vive Pro 2.
The most notable feature of the Pico 4 is its independence from a PC. While this autonomy could be perceived as a limitation in terms of processing power and library of games and applications, it nonetheless frees the user from the shackles of external hardware. An argument that goes hand in hand with increased portability and unrivalled comfort, thanks to its featherweight of 420g.
Nevertheless, the Pico 4 is not without its compromises. Its catalog of games and applications is more limited than that of PC platforms, and it requires a smartphone for initialization.
What's more, even though its display resolution is of good quality, it remains below that offered by some high-end competitors.
All in all, the Pico 4 stands out as a choice option for those in search of a comfortable, mobile VR experience, without however being able to rival the superior visual quality of high-end headsets. Its autonomy and portability are undeniable assets, but come with certain compromises in terms of display resolution and game catalog.
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