Expert review Pico 4
View the newer model: the Pico 4 Ultra
- You can play games from your VR headset without connecting it to a gaming laptop or PC.
- The Pico 4 Ultra has mixed reality, so you can combine augmented reality and virtual reality.
- The pancake lenses ensure there's no distortion in the image, so you don't easily get nauseous from motion sickness.
- The selection in the Pico Store is still limited, so you can't download many apps and games yet.
Gaming without a wire
The Pico 4 is the second active VR headset for consumers. This means that I can use the VR headset without connecting it to my console or gaming PC. This way, I have a lot of freedom of movement and I'm not bound to furniture by wire. This VR headset does need an internet connection to install and use games.
Light VR headset
What I notice right away is that this is a very light VR headset. You do feel the headset on your head, but it doesn't hurt your neck or head because it's balanced well. It also has a sturdy headband with a dial by default, so I can adjust it. The combination of these 2 elements allows me to easily game without being annoyed by the headset.
Better resolution
The Pico 4 is the first active VR headset with a resolution over 4K and you can notice that. The screen is sharp and the colors look great. I can also easily adjust the lenses based on my pupil distance, so I always see the screen sharply. That's a big advantage if you get nauseous easily from VR gaming, also called motion sickness. That's reduced this way.
Pico VR Store
The Pico 4 runs on its own operating system, so it also has its own 'Store' with apps and games. The Pico VR Store has fun free apps, and it also has some premium games that are more famous in the VR world. I think the assortment is pretty limited and there are some games you can't find (yet) in the Pico VR Store. The assortment will grow in the future, of course.
Conclusion
The Pico 4 is a nice addition to the available VR headsets. This is the second active VR headset for consumers and a real competitor to the Meta Quest 2. I find the Pico 4 light and the headset stays on my head properly with the standard headband. The Pico 4 sadly doesn't fully close around the nose, so you see some light come through. The assortment in the Pico VR store isn't very big yet, but this'll grow in the future. I still think the Pico 4 has the potential to rise past the Meta Quest.
