Pico 4 Ultra hands-on: The MR headset is an affordable alternative to the Vision Pro - with limitations
Pico has recently served up a new MR headset - the Pico 4 Ultra. It can be used in several ways and supports decent-quality pass-through. In our hands-on review, we were certainly impressed by the device, but it comes with several limitations. For our test, we received the Pico 4 Ultra together with two controllers as well as the Motion Trackers, which track the user's leg movements.
The hardware itself doesn't give much cause for criticism. The headset can not only be adjusted with a single rotary wheel but there is also an adjustable velcro strap which allows for proper adjustment - something which is especially important for a VR headset since this is the only way to get sharp images. The headset weighs around 580 grams and is easy and comfortable to wear for up to two hours at a time. Most external light is blocked and only a small amount of ambient light can be seen around the nose area. However, this isn't particularly distracting. The interpupillary distance (IPD) must be set manually but this is a quick and easy task. The user's eye movement cannot be tracked.
Modern technology and high resolution
According to Pico, the two displays have 2,160 x 2,160 pixels, and each display is rendered at 1,920 x 1,920 pixels. The stated refresh rate is 90 Hz, and the pancake lens promises a viewing angle of 105°. In reality, this means the Pico 4 Ultra offers sharp image quality without the screendoor effect commonly found in older VR headsets - in other words, visible gaps between the individual pixels. From a subjective point of view - and to our eyes - the Pico 2 Ultra offers sharp image quality. Text is very easy to read, and this is important when using MR applications - but more on that later.
Essentially, the built-in speakers are responsible for good sound quality but don't provide adequate sound for games or videos. Headsets can only be connected wirelessly and not via the classic audio jack but this is a tolerable restriction. The four onboard microphones make it possible to operate the device using voice commands.
As a VR headset there's little to complain about
The Pico 4 Ultra can be used as a classic VR headset. You can connect the device to a PC either wirelessly or via USB type C. The wired connection is very uncomplicated and wireless connections will also require you to install Pico Connect. Steam VR is supported which means users can experience thousands of VR titles.
The controls are easy to operate, and the controllers sit nicely in the hand. They have two triggers, joysticks and action buttons. This means the system complies with the convention of current VR input devices, and the result is a user-friendly control system. However, when using the device as a VR headset, there are significant limitations: for example, compatibility with Microsoft Flight Simulator is not possible using onboard resources, meaning free software is necessary. That may not sound like much of a problem - and for many users, it probably won't be - nevertheless, Flight Simulator in VR is an impressive experience that cannot be enjoyed on the Pico 4 Ultra out of the box.
Unlike the previous generation, the Pico 4 Ultra supports wireless streaming via WiFi 7. In our test, we used both a Fritz!Box 7530 NU with WiFi 6 as well as a previously reviewed BE19000 router (more specifically, BE800) with WiFi 7, loaned to us by TP-Link. The wireless connection via Pico Connect is also straightforward. In fact, we were able to achieve satisfactory results with both WiFi 6 and WiFi 7. Via WiFi 7, it was possible to have a greater distance between the projector and the headset. Wireless streaming is a considerably more convenient experience and means you can move around effortlessly.
A standalone headset with a powerful SoC
The Pico 4 Ultra is equipped with a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 that can access 12 gigabytes of RAM. The 256-gigabyte storage drive is home to the device's own operating system. This basically works and performs well and will let you install your own apps after the developer options have been activated. In our test, downloading WhatsApp and Spotify went without a hitch, however, this required photographing the WhatsApp QR code via one of the lenses. Surprisingly, this worked straight off the bat but customers shouldn't really be expected to do this.
All in all, the performance was decent and the game Arizona Sunshine 2 ran smoothly and without any problems. What is problematic, however, is the area of software support: Popular titles such as Beat Saber are not available in the Pico Store. Nevertheless, there is a wide selection of titles on offer with third-party software also on hand. For these reasons, we would strongly recommend checking the Pico Store before pulling the trigger on a purchase. MR titles are also supported.
Using the device as a Vision Pro alternative - the software isn't quite there yet
In principle, the Pico 4 Ultra can also be used as an alternative to the Apple Vision Pro and therefore for productive purposes. In a more or less direct comparison to the Apple Vision Pro, there is both good and bad news. The presentation of programmes and media content appears to us to be fundamentally comparable. The Pico 4 Ultra offers useable MR with the help of its two 32-megapixel cameras. The pass-through allows for easy orientation.
However, in our experience, the Apple Vision Pro offers better quality pass-through, however, the Pico 4 Ultra's image quality is largely dependent on the lighting. In a dark environment, the resolution is visibly much lower. The pass-through display's latency is low but we didn't quantify it accurately in our tests. To put it in context: In the test, it was perfectly possible to watch and play Hogwarts Legacy on a TV through the headset without experiencing a latency that significantly compromised the gaming experience.
The Pico 4 Ultra is well suited for productivity use with its high resolution, decent MR functionality and good wireless connectivity. Nevertheless, with its software, Pico is losing out on some of the device's potential. The biggest problem: Currently, you can only broadcast a single desktop. That may sound like an acceptable limitation, but it is precisely the vision of being able to work with multiple movable windows in a virtual environment that is so compelling. Although it is possible to switch between multiple screens connected to a PC, it is not possible, for example, to enable a screen for chat programs and music playback. With its seamless integration, this is an area where the Apple Vision Pro enjoys a big advantage.
It is easy to simultaneously use both a streamed desktop as well as programs which run on the Pico 4 Ultra itself. This means, for example, you can work with a browser while Spotify and WhatsApp are arranged around a desktop. However, this is where the lack of seamless integration hits home: For this to work, you would have to hold a controller to control Spotify playback and also type messages. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of operating the device using hand tracking. In our test, this tracking didn't exactly prove itself to be very reliable and is better suited to start media playback. You would not want to use it to write longer texts.
There is third-party software which supports the use of multiple desktops. Still, the manufacturer has promised a software update that will support up to three screens. In practice, it was quite possible to use the Pico as a productivity device. You can easily edit texts using a PC mouse and keyboard. We were able to achieve a battery runtime of around two to three hours. The battery life can easily be extended with the help of a suitable power bank but, we can hardly imagine it would make sense to use the Pico 4 Ultra all day long - despite its high level of comfort.
The Motion Trackers are precise - and amusing
The test sample also came with Pico's Motion Trackers. These are attached to the user's feet above the ankles and are said to track the entire body - and this is actually possible. This means that not only the height of the feet can be recorded but also hip rotation. In particular, this makes sense for games which emphasize physical activity.
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Versatile, with good resolution - and potential
The Pico 4 Ultra is a versatile MR deadset. Streaming video games wirelessly is a high-quality, comfortable experience with useable latency. It is also quite pleasant to use as an AR headset, although, in this regard, Pico has wasted a lot of potential with its not-yet-fully-mature software.
In general, the $670 price tag (euro to dollar exchange rate at the time of testing) is acceptable for an MR headset but, with the Meta Quest 3, it has a very strong competitor in the same price category. The Quest 3 also offers a better-stocked app store which includes exclusive titles. We would highly recommend running a check over these app store titles before pulling the trigger on either device. Ultimately, how comfortable the device is to wear could also depend on your own head shape which is why potential buyers should try on the headset before buying.
Price and availability
At the time of this review, the Pico 4 Ultra isn't available on Amazon's US store. In the UK, the current asking price for the glasses is £529 with the Motion Trackers included. Delivery is scheduled to begin on September 20.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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