PICO 4 Ultra
79
BUYARY SCORE
Advanced mixed reality and full-body tracking deliver comfort and power, yet software limits remain.
The PICO 4 Ultra is a sleek standalone mixed reality headset that courts creators, fitness buffs, and MR enthusiasts craving sharp visuals and full-body tracking. Sporting dual 32MP passthrough cameras and an iToF depth sensor, it dazzles with immersive clarity despite a narrower sweet spot that triggers some eye strain. Experts applaud its Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, ample 12GB RAM, and roomy 256GB storage, powering smooth multitasking beyond gaming’s usual limits. Users praise the comfy fit and motorized IPD adjustment but note software gaps temper the experience. This device bets big on comfort, precision, and spatial video—making value hinge on evolving app support and ecosystem growth.

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Publications
9 LEADING PUBLICATION REVIEWS
77
UploadVR’s David Heaney highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as the first genuine competitor to Meta’s Quest 3, praising its lightweight, balanced design and notably improved passthrough clarity with minimal distortion or double imaging. Heaney appreciates Pico OS’s ambitious multitasking capabilities, allowing up to 20 simultaneous 2D windows, and lauds the innovative, easy-to-use Pico Motion Trackers for leg tracking, which open new gameplay possibilities. However, he points out key drawbacks: the headset uses somewhat outdated lenses with less edge-to-edge clarity and a narrower field of view compared to Quest 3, and its passthrough lacks dynamic occlusion and accurate depth perspective. The multitasking window placement is also more limited than competitors. While the Pico 4 Ultra shows promise with solid hardware and unique features, Heaney notes ByteDance’s reduced hardware subsidies and content investment may hinder its ability to fully challenge Meta’s ecosystem. Overall, the review conveys cautious optimism tempered by clear limitations and the need for further hands-on testing.
77
Hamish Hector from TechRadar highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a powerful mid-range VR headset boasting superior hardware specs—such as a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage—compared to its main rival, the Meta Quest 3. However, despite these impressive internals and standout features like accurate optional Motion Trackers and a unique spatial footage capture tool, the Pico 4 Ultra falls short due to its weaker software ecosystem and lack of major exclusive titles. Hector praises the headset’s solid performance, comfortable counterbalanced design, and reliable PC connectivity via Meta Connect, but criticizes the inconvenient spatial capture feature, the absence of a silicon facial interface, and the headset’s fan noise. While the Pico 4 Ultra offers good value for those seeking top specs outside the Meta ecosystem, its software limitations and higher price make it a less compelling choice for users prioritizing game library breadth or affordability.
77
UploadVR’s David Heaney highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as the first genuine competitor to Meta’s Quest 3, praising its lightweight, balanced design and notably improved passthrough clarity with minimal distortion or double imaging. Heaney appreciates Pico OS’s ambitious multitasking capabilities, allowing up to 20 simultaneous 2D windows, and lauds the innovative, easy-to-use Pico Motion Trackers for leg tracking, which open new gameplay possibilities. However, he points out key drawbacks: the headset uses somewhat outdated lenses with less edge-to-edge clarity and a narrower field of view compared to Quest 3, and its passthrough lacks dynamic occlusion and accurate depth perspective. The multitasking window placement is also more limited than competitors. While the Pico 4 Ultra shows promise with solid hardware and unique features, Heaney notes ByteDance’s reduced hardware subsidies and content investment may hinder its ability to fully challenge Meta’s ecosystem. Overall, the review conveys cautious optimism tempered by clear limitations and the need for further hands-on testing.
77
Hamish Hector from TechRadar highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a powerful mid-range VR headset boasting superior hardware specs—such as a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage—compared to its main rival, the Meta Quest 3. However, despite these impressive internals and standout features like accurate optional Motion Trackers and a unique spatial footage capture tool, the Pico 4 Ultra falls short due to its weaker software ecosystem and lack of major exclusive titles. Hector praises the headset’s solid performance, comfortable counterbalanced design, and reliable PC connectivity via Meta Connect, but criticizes the inconvenient spatial capture feature, the absence of a silicon facial interface, and the headset’s fan noise. While the Pico 4 Ultra offers good value for those seeking top specs outside the Meta ecosystem, its software limitations and higher price make it a less compelling choice for users prioritizing game library breadth or affordability.
77
UploadVR’s David Heaney highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as the first genuine competitor to Meta’s Quest 3, praising its lightweight, balanced design and notably improved passthrough clarity with minimal distortion or double imaging. Heaney appreciates Pico OS’s ambitious multitasking capabilities, allowing up to 20 simultaneous 2D windows, and lauds the innovative, easy-to-use Pico Motion Trackers for leg tracking, which open new gameplay possibilities. However, he points out key drawbacks: the headset uses somewhat outdated lenses with less edge-to-edge clarity and a narrower field of view compared to Quest 3, and its passthrough lacks dynamic occlusion and accurate depth perspective. The multitasking window placement is also more limited than competitors. While the Pico 4 Ultra shows promise with solid hardware and unique features, Heaney notes ByteDance’s reduced hardware subsidies and content investment may hinder its ability to fully challenge Meta’s ecosystem. Overall, the review conveys cautious optimism tempered by clear limitations and the need for further hands-on testing.
77
Hamish Hector from TechRadar highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a powerful mid-range VR headset boasting superior hardware specs—such as a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage—compared to its main rival, the Meta Quest 3. However, despite these impressive internals and standout features like accurate optional Motion Trackers and a unique spatial footage capture tool, the Pico 4 Ultra falls short due to its weaker software ecosystem and lack of major exclusive titles. Hector praises the headset’s solid performance, comfortable counterbalanced design, and reliable PC connectivity via Meta Connect, but criticizes the inconvenient spatial capture feature, the absence of a silicon facial interface, and the headset’s fan noise. While the Pico 4 Ultra offers good value for those seeking top specs outside the Meta ecosystem, its software limitations and higher price make it a less compelling choice for users prioritizing game library breadth or affordability.
77
UploadVR’s David Heaney highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as the first genuine competitor to Meta’s Quest 3, praising its lightweight, balanced design and notably improved passthrough clarity with minimal distortion or double imaging. Heaney appreciates Pico OS’s ambitious multitasking capabilities, allowing up to 20 simultaneous 2D windows, and lauds the innovative, easy-to-use Pico Motion Trackers for leg tracking, which open new gameplay possibilities. However, he points out key drawbacks: the headset uses somewhat outdated lenses with less edge-to-edge clarity and a narrower field of view compared to Quest 3, and its passthrough lacks dynamic occlusion and accurate depth perspective. The multitasking window placement is also more limited than competitors. While the Pico 4 Ultra shows promise with solid hardware and unique features, Heaney notes ByteDance’s reduced hardware subsidies and content investment may hinder its ability to fully challenge Meta’s ecosystem. Overall, the review conveys cautious optimism tempered by clear limitations and the need for further hands-on testing.
77
Hamish Hector from TechRadar highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a powerful mid-range VR headset boasting superior hardware specs—such as a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage—compared to its main rival, the Meta Quest 3. However, despite these impressive internals and standout features like accurate optional Motion Trackers and a unique spatial footage capture tool, the Pico 4 Ultra falls short due to its weaker software ecosystem and lack of major exclusive titles. Hector praises the headset’s solid performance, comfortable counterbalanced design, and reliable PC connectivity via Meta Connect, but criticizes the inconvenient spatial capture feature, the absence of a silicon facial interface, and the headset’s fan noise. While the Pico 4 Ultra offers good value for those seeking top specs outside the Meta ecosystem, its software limitations and higher price make it a less compelling choice for users prioritizing game library breadth or affordability.
77
UploadVR’s David Heaney highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as the first genuine competitor to Meta’s Quest 3, praising its lightweight, balanced design and notably improved passthrough clarity with minimal distortion or double imaging. Heaney appreciates Pico OS’s ambitious multitasking capabilities, allowing up to 20 simultaneous 2D windows, and lauds the innovative, easy-to-use Pico Motion Trackers for leg tracking, which open new gameplay possibilities. However, he points out key drawbacks: the headset uses somewhat outdated lenses with less edge-to-edge clarity and a narrower field of view compared to Quest 3, and its passthrough lacks dynamic occlusion and accurate depth perspective. The multitasking window placement is also more limited than competitors. While the Pico 4 Ultra shows promise with solid hardware and unique features, Heaney notes ByteDance’s reduced hardware subsidies and content investment may hinder its ability to fully challenge Meta’s ecosystem. Overall, the review conveys cautious optimism tempered by clear limitations and the need for further hands-on testing.
77
Hamish Hector from TechRadar highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a powerful mid-range VR headset boasting superior hardware specs—such as a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage—compared to its main rival, the Meta Quest 3. However, despite these impressive internals and standout features like accurate optional Motion Trackers and a unique spatial footage capture tool, the Pico 4 Ultra falls short due to its weaker software ecosystem and lack of major exclusive titles. Hector praises the headset’s solid performance, comfortable counterbalanced design, and reliable PC connectivity via Meta Connect, but criticizes the inconvenient spatial capture feature, the absence of a silicon facial interface, and the headset’s fan noise. While the Pico 4 Ultra offers good value for those seeking top specs outside the Meta ecosystem, its software limitations and higher price make it a less compelling choice for users prioritizing game library breadth or affordability.
YouTube
12 LEADING EXPERT & INFLUENCER REVIEWS
73
MRTV praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s full-body tracking, Wi-Fi 7, expanded RAM, and spatial video capture as strong upgrades over the original. However, the reviewer is disappointed by the unchanged 2022 optical stack, resulting in inferior visuals and lens glare compared to the Quest 3. The headset excels in mixed reality features and enterprise use but struggles to compete in standalone gaming.
77
Cas and Chary XR praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s improved mixed reality cameras, enhanced battery life, and new motion trackers, highlighting solid comfort and multitasking capabilities. However, they note the headset’s aging display tech, software limitations, and less compelling passthrough compared to Quest 3, making it a decent but not standout upgrade.
73
MRTV praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s full-body tracking, Wi-Fi 7, expanded RAM, and spatial video capture as strong upgrades over the original. However, the reviewer is disappointed by the unchanged 2022 optical stack, resulting in inferior visuals and lens glare compared to the Quest 3. The headset excels in mixed reality features and enterprise use but struggles to compete in standalone gaming.
77
Cas and Chary XR praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s improved mixed reality cameras, enhanced battery life, and new motion trackers, highlighting solid comfort and multitasking capabilities. However, they note the headset’s aging display tech, software limitations, and less compelling passthrough compared to Quest 3, making it a decent but not standout upgrade.
73
MRTV praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s full-body tracking, Wi-Fi 7, expanded RAM, and spatial video capture as strong upgrades over the original. However, the reviewer is disappointed by the unchanged 2022 optical stack, resulting in inferior visuals and lens glare compared to the Quest 3. The headset excels in mixed reality features and enterprise use but struggles to compete in standalone gaming.
77
Cas and Chary XR praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s improved mixed reality cameras, enhanced battery life, and new motion trackers, highlighting solid comfort and multitasking capabilities. However, they note the headset’s aging display tech, software limitations, and less compelling passthrough compared to Quest 3, making it a decent but not standout upgrade.
73
MRTV praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s full-body tracking, Wi-Fi 7, expanded RAM, and spatial video capture as strong upgrades over the original. However, the reviewer is disappointed by the unchanged 2022 optical stack, resulting in inferior visuals and lens glare compared to the Quest 3. The headset excels in mixed reality features and enterprise use but struggles to compete in standalone gaming.
77
Cas and Chary XR praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s improved mixed reality cameras, enhanced battery life, and new motion trackers, highlighting solid comfort and multitasking capabilities. However, they note the headset’s aging display tech, software limitations, and less compelling passthrough compared to Quest 3, making it a decent but not standout upgrade.
73
MRTV praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s full-body tracking, Wi-Fi 7, expanded RAM, and spatial video capture as strong upgrades over the original. However, the reviewer is disappointed by the unchanged 2022 optical stack, resulting in inferior visuals and lens glare compared to the Quest 3. The headset excels in mixed reality features and enterprise use but struggles to compete in standalone gaming.
77
Cas and Chary XR praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s improved mixed reality cameras, enhanced battery life, and new motion trackers, highlighting solid comfort and multitasking capabilities. However, they note the headset’s aging display tech, software limitations, and less compelling passthrough compared to Quest 3, making it a decent but not standout upgrade.
73
MRTV praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s full-body tracking, Wi-Fi 7, expanded RAM, and spatial video capture as strong upgrades over the original. However, the reviewer is disappointed by the unchanged 2022 optical stack, resulting in inferior visuals and lens glare compared to the Quest 3. The headset excels in mixed reality features and enterprise use but struggles to compete in standalone gaming.
77
Cas and Chary XR praises the PICO 4 Ultra’s improved mixed reality cameras, enhanced battery life, and new motion trackers, highlighting solid comfort and multitasking capabilities. However, they note the headset’s aging display tech, software limitations, and less compelling passthrough compared to Quest 3, making it a decent but not standout upgrade.
Social
3 INFLUENCER REVIEWS
91
Mark Ellis Reviews highlights the Pico 4 Ultra’s standout 4K+ display, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and precise 6DOF tracking, praising its immersive ankle motion controller that enhances gameplay and fitness experiences. He emphasizes the headset’s comfort and wide 105-degree field of view, noting the price is justified by its quality. Overall, Mark’s sentiment is enthusiastic and confident, recommending the Pico 4 Ultra as a top-tier VR headset for 2024. While acknowledging the cost, he frames it as a worthwhile investment for serious VR users seeking advanced immersion and comfort.
76
ASBYT highlights the PICO 4 Ultra’s well-rounded unboxing experience and straightforward setup, emphasizing the inclusion of motion trackers for full-body tracking and practical accessories like the glasses spacer. They note the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 12GB RAM, positioning it as a strong contender in VR gear. Overall, ASBYT presents the PICO 4 Ultra as a solid, user-friendly headset with competitive specs for its £529 price, implicitly inviting viewers to consider it alongside the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro, though stopping short of an outright recommendation.
91
Mark Ellis Reviews highlights the Pico 4 Ultra’s standout 4K+ display, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and precise 6DOF tracking, praising its immersive ankle motion controller that enhances gameplay and fitness experiences. He emphasizes the headset’s comfort and wide 105-degree field of view, noting the price is justified by its quality. Overall, Mark’s sentiment is enthusiastic and confident, recommending the Pico 4 Ultra as a top-tier VR headset for 2024. While acknowledging the cost, he frames it as a worthwhile investment for serious VR users seeking advanced immersion and comfort.
76
ASBYT highlights the PICO 4 Ultra’s well-rounded unboxing experience and straightforward setup, emphasizing the inclusion of motion trackers for full-body tracking and practical accessories like the glasses spacer. They note the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 12GB RAM, positioning it as a strong contender in VR gear. Overall, ASBYT presents the PICO 4 Ultra as a solid, user-friendly headset with competitive specs for its £529 price, implicitly inviting viewers to consider it alongside the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro, though stopping short of an outright recommendation.
Forum Reviews
CUSTOMER REVIEWS FROM 1 FORUM
76
Reddit users generally view the PICO 4 Ultra as a capable VR headset with notable strengths in comfort, binocular overlap, and standalone performance, particularly praising its higher RAM, WiFi 7 support, and improved battery life compared to competitors. The design is often highlighted for better weight distribution and comfort out of the box. However, critiques focus on visual clarity issues such as a smaller sweet spot, glare, and distortions at the edges of the lenses, with some users finding the display quality inferior to alternatives. Software and ecosystem limitations, including a smaller game library and occasional bugs, temper enthusiasm. Upgraders from earlier models appreciate the hardware improvements but remain cautious due to persistent software and visual drawbacks, while new shoppers weigh the PICO 4 Ultra’s premium price against its benefits and the stronger ecosystem of competing headsets.
Many comments
In-Depth Review
Highlights
- •High-quality color passthroughClear dual 32MP passthrough with iToF
- •Strong SoC, ample memory and storageSmooth 90Hz performance; 12GB/256GB
- •Motorized IPD and compact opticsMotorized 58–72mm IPD; pancake lenses
- •Integrated full-body trackingIncludes Pico Motion Trackers; 24‑point AI
- •Spatial video and spatial audio captureRecords 2048×1536@60fps; four‑mic audio
- •Advanced wireless connectivityWi‑Fi 7 with MLO for streaming
Considerations
- •Limited software ecosystemSmaller game library than competitors
- •Narrow optical sweet spotEdge glare and distorted peripheral clarity
- •No eye trackingLacks foveated rendering and gaze input
- •Passthrough depth and occlusion limitsLimited dynamic occlusion; depth perception issues
- •Heat and fan noiseFan noise and heat during use
- •Controller weight and tracking quirksHeavier AA controllers; inconsistent hand tracking
While broad user feedback on this headset is still taking shape, early impressions highlight a device packed with promise for mixed reality fans and VR enthusiasts alike. From the get-go, it stakes its claim with dual 32MP passthrough cameras paired with an iToF depth sensor, delivering vivid and natural mixed reality views that set it apart in clarity. Its pancake lenses offer a sleek 105° field of view while keeping things lightweight and comfortable—perfect for longer sessions without neck strain. Power users will appreciate the muscle under the hood: a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset backed by 12GB RAM and 256GB storage ensures smooth multitasking and rich experiences beyond gaming alone. Add to that precise full-body tracking enabled by innovative motion trackers, plus solid spatial video capture capabilities, and you have a versatile tool for creators, fitness buffs, or prosumers seeking more than just playtime. If crisp visuals meet practical power sounds like your kind of combo, keep reading—there’s plenty here worth your focus.

Processing, GPU, RAM and Storage
Underneath it all roars Qualcomm's beastly Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, delivering a hefty performance leap especially on GPU tasks (+250% over last gen). Coupled with abundant 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and spacious 256GB UFS storage, multitasking feels buttery smooth—even when juggling multiple apps or heavy games—much appreciated given Pico OS’s ambitious window management ambitions. This powerhouse combo solidifies the headset’s appeal as both gaming rig and creative toolset; though some caution remains due to software ecosystem gaps holding back wider adoption.
Motion Tracking and Controllers
Tracking gets a tech boost here: equipped with AI-powered skeleton tracking across 24 points at up to 200 Hz, plus compatibility with external full-body trackers, the device excels in immersive movement capture—perfect for fitness buffs or social VR fans. The controllers come backed by sturdy wrist straps but pack heavier batteries (2 AA each), leading some users to mention controller heft as a minor gripe amid overall praise for precise motion sensing enhanced by Pico’s innovative tracker system—a standout feature sparking excitement among prosumers seeking fluid interaction.
Passthrough Cameras and MR Sensors
Step into the mixed reality spotlight with the PICO 4 Ultra's dual 32MP color passthrough cameras paired with an iToF depth sensor, crafting a vivid, low-distortion view of your surroundings. This trio of sensors delivers smooth frame alignment up to 72Hz, promising natural immersion that users find impressive despite occasional graininess in tricky lighting. While brand claims boast seamless integration, real-world use reveals slight compromises in dynamic occlusion and depth perception — yet these high-res eyes remain one of its most compelling assets for MR enthusiasts craving clarity.
Display and Optics
The PICO 4 Ultra packs crispness with its 2160×2160 per-eye resolution displayed through space-saving pancake lenses that trim headset bulk without sacrificing field of view (a generous 105° FOV). However, this optical stack is something of a double-edged sword: while central sharpness shines bright at 22.5 PPD, edge distortions and glare around the narrower sweet spot can strain eyeballs during extended sessions. Experts note this trade-off dampens visual fidelity compared to rivals but still praises its ergonomic comfort thanks to thoughtful lens design.
Conclusion
Real-world impressions are still settling, but the PICO 4 Ultra stakes its claim with crisp dual 32MP passthrough cameras and an iToF depth sensor that elevate mixed reality beyond mere novelty. Its pancake lenses deliver a sleek 105° field of view, though a narrower sweet spot invites some eye strain during marathon sessions. The inclusion of AI-powered full-body tracking and precise controllers broadens immersion—especially for fitness or social VR enthusiasts—but heftier batteries in those controllers might test your wrists. Underneath, the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset paired with 12GB RAM and ample storage ensures smooth multitasking, even if software ecosystem gaps temper expectations. Spatial video capture shines as a creative bonus, supported by solid audio recording and a battery life that holds up to extended use without surprise drain. This headset suits those craving advanced MR tools wrapped in comfort rather than exclusive game libraries—a balanced contender carving out its own niche among premium standalone headsets.
Feature Scores
This reflects reviews and ratings from established critics, journalists, and users who have evaluated the item. Their opinions provide a comprehensive assessment.
Performance
Display Resolution
4/5
Field Of View
4/5
Tracking Accuracy
4/5
Motion Latency
4/5
Refresh Rate
4/5
Battery Life
4/5
Wireless Connectivity Reliability
4/5
Build Durability
4/5
Value
Price To Performance Ratio
4/5
Accessory Ecosystem Value
4/5
Software Content Value
3/5
Design
Ergonomics
4/5
Weight Distribution
5/5
Aesthetic Design
4/5
Health
Motion Sickness Mitigation
4/5
Blue Light Mitigation
3/5
Hygiene Materials
3/5
Safety
Overheating Protection
4/5
Secure Fit Mechanisms
4/5
Data Privacy Controls
2/5
Sustainability
Repairability
2/5
Recyclable Materials Use
2/5
Energy Efficiency
3/5
Experience Style
Setup Simplicity
4/5
Customization Options
4/5
Software Update Frequency
3/5
Content Ecosystem Compatibility
4/5
Specifications
This section outlines the product's key facts, covering essential features, details, dimensions, materials, and any unique characteristics that define its functionality and usability.
Performance
Value
Design
Safety
Experience Style
Frequently Asked Questions
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