PICO 4 Ultra

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 However, he points out key drawbacks: the headset uses somewhat outdated lenses with less edge-to-edge clarity and a narrower field of view compared to Quest 3, and its passthrough lacks dynamic occlusion and accurate depth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.

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.

Alex Walker-Todd from Trusted Reviews highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a highly capable and future-proof VR headset that significantly upgrades its predecessor’s hardware, matching or surpassing the Meta Quest 3 in key areas like processing power, RAM, and tracking precision. The review praises its comfortable design, improved pass-through cameras, and fast charging, noting the headset’s excellent mixed reality capabilities and solid battery life. However, despite these hardware strengths, the Pico 4 Ultra still falls short in content offerings, lacking many high-profile exclusive games that Meta controls, which remains a critical limitation. The reviewer also points out minor ergonomic quirks, such as the fan causing eye dryness and the absence of a physical audio jack, alongside some inconsistencies in hand tracking and motion tracker utility. Overall, the Pico 4 Ultra is described as a well-rounded, competitively priced device with impressive technical achievements, but its success hinges on expanding its software ecosystem to better challenge Meta’s dominance.

James Bentley from PC Gamer highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a solid alternative to the Meta Quest 3, particularly appealing to users in the UK and EU who want to avoid Meta’s ecosystem. He praises its comfortable fit, intuitive glasses spacer, and well-designed controllers, noting the headset’s smooth out-of-the-box experience and impressive 2160p-per-eye display. The inclusion of Pico Motion Trackers adds a unique and enjoyable dimension to VR movement. However, Bentley points out several limitations: light leakage affecting glasses wearers, less precise controller tracking in some positions, and a lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack. While the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 12GB RAM offer strong performance, Pico’s software ecosystem and game library lag behind Meta’s. Ultimately, Bentley sees the Pico 4 Ultra as a competent but not groundbreaking competitor that struggles to surpass the Quest 3, making it a reasonable choice mainly for those seeking a Meta alternative rather than a definitive VR upgrade.

Duncan Robertson from GamesRadar+ highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a compelling standalone VR headset that challenges the Meta Quest 3 with superior specs and a thoughtfully balanced, comfortable design. Praising its lightweight feel, practical features like an adjustable headband, and impressive visuals powered by pancake lenses, Robertson finds the headset delivers a notably smooth and immersive gaming experience, even outperforming the Quest 3 in some demanding titles. However, he points out some drawbacks, including controller tracking issues in low light, less impressive integrated speakers, and a more limited game storefront compared to Meta’s ecosystem. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack and concerns about data privacy due to its Chinese parent company also temper enthusiasm. Despite these caveats, Robertson regards the Pico 4 Ultra as a viable, competitively priced alternative for gamers, especially outside the US, and appreciates its potential to diversify the VR market beyond Meta’s dominance.

Notebookcheck’s Silvio Werner and Enrico Frahn provide a balanced and thoughtful assessment of the Pico 4 Ultra, praising its high-resolution displays, comfortable fit, and powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 performance. They highlight the device’s versatile mixed reality (MR) capabilities, low-latency wireless streaming, and precise Motion Trackers as standout features that make it a compelling, affordable alternative to the Apple Vision Pro. However, the review also points out significant software limitations, including a sparse app store lacking popular titles like Beat Saber, unreliable hand tracking, and restricted multi-desktop support that hinder its productivity potential. While the hardware impresses, the software ecosystem and integration fall short of expectations, especially compared to competitors like the Meta Quest 3. The authors recommend prospective buyers try the headset for comfort and carefully evaluate app availability before purchase, concluding that the Pico 4 Ultra offers solid value with room for software improvements.

Tom Morgan-Freelander from Stuff highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a significant hardware upgrade over its predecessor, with standout features like improved passthrough cameras, refined controllers, and official full-body tracking that enhance immersion and mixed reality experiences. The headset impresses with its powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, ample memory, and a larger battery that supports longer playtime and faster charging. The review praises the comfortable fit, intuitive interface, and solid image quality, noting smoother visuals and deeper blacks compared to competitors. However, the software library remains a notable drawback, with fewer exclusive titles than Meta’s Quest 3, which also benefits from a recent price cut, making the Pico 4 Ultra a less obvious value choice. Despite this, the Ultra is positioned as a capable and well-rounded standalone VR headset, especially appealing to users outside Meta’s ecosystem or those seeking advanced mixed reality features and full-body tracking.

Matthew Yap from TechNave highlights the PICO 4 Ultra as an impressive VR headset that combines advanced technology with user-friendly design. Praising its bright, sharp dual 1920x2160 displays, comfortable lightweight build, and smooth 90Hz refresh rate, the review emphasizes the immersive visual and audio experience. Unique features like hand tracking and the optional PICO Motion Tracker enhance natural interaction and precise movement, especially for active gaming. Battery life and fast charging also receive positive notes. However, Yap points out some drawbacks, including a limited app and game ecosystem compared to competitors, potential discomfort for glasses wearers without prescription lenses, a somewhat complex initial setup, and a premium price tag of RM2799 that may deter casual users. Overall, the review conveys a balanced but optimistic tone, recommending the PICO 4 Ultra primarily for serious VR enthusiasts seeking high performance and innovative features, while acknowledging it may not suit everyone’s budget or needs.

Callum Self from Pocket Tactics highlights the Pico 4 Ultra as a technically impressive VR headset that competes strongly with Meta’s Quest 3, boasting excellent specs, solid performance, and a comfortable design. He praises features like the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, Wi-Fi 7 support, and innovative pancake lenses that reduce eye strain. The inclusion of Pico Motion Trackers adds a unique immersive element, especially for PCVR gaming. However, Self points out notable drawbacks: the headset’s lack of killer exclusive games, limited availability in the US, and a price slightly higher than the Quest 3 despite some specs feeling excessive for current VR titles. While the Pico 4 Ultra offers a great game library and seamless PC connectivity, it ultimately falls short of dethroning Meta’s market leader. The review strikes a balanced tone, appreciating the headset’s strengths while candidly addressing its limitations, making it a strong but cautious recommendation for VR enthusiasts willing to overlook exclusives and regional availability.