PICO 4 Review

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was at EGX 2022 talking to Fast Travel Games about VR and what to keep an eye on. One of the things we talked about was the new PICO headset, and I’m happy to say the PICO 4 is here – and I’ve been playing around with it! Virtual reality gaming is exciting. From the moment the headset goes over your eyes, you’re transported into immersive worlds beyond your imagination. For a while, there have only been a few players in the space making headsets of note, but how does the PICO 4 stack up against the competition?

PICO 4 Overview

On October 18, 2022, PICO 4 was released in Europe and parts of Asia (there’s no news yet on a US release date). ByteDance, the company that makes it, has done a fantastic job making a good-looking headset to compete with the Meta Quest 2 in the standalone VR headset space.

The PICO 4 has some pretty stand-out features, too, the passthrough being not only useful for when you need to see around you but opens new possibilities in the types of games and experiences available on the platform. Accessing it is fun, too – a sharp double tap to the side of the headset will enable the passthrough mode. This is ideal when you need to see passwords or simply check your surroundings. Utilising a 16MP RGB camera it also makes setting your play area and checking the dog isn’t in the way even easier.

It is worth pointing out that not only is the PICO 4 cheaper than the Meta Quest 2, but it also has a better resolution with its unique pancake lenses. With 6DoF tracking and integrated hand-tracking are both well done, and I was surprised by just how well the hand-tracking worked.

The controllers are nicely designed and use optical tracking instead of LiDAR. There were a couple of instances where they weren’t responsive, in what is known as a ‘dead zone’, but because of the design and the tracking ring placement, these didn’t occur often enough to make games unplayable or lessen the overall experience.

In terms of connectivity, PICO 4 offers users a wide variety. with Virtual Desktop, cable connection via USB-C, Streaming options, and the ability to record footage directly in the headset, it’s easy to create and share your VR gaming experiences.

Is the PICO 4 Comfortable?

The PICO 4 is perhaps the most comfortable headset I’ve ever worn. The comfort of the straps, the snug fit on the head, and superior weight distribution all work together to ensure premium comfort. As the weight is spread out around the headset (and not front-heavy), it feels lighter than the Quest 2, even though it weighs more. This means that when you do go in for those long VR gaming sessions, it never gets uncomfortable – my biggest complaint with the original PSVR. As a result, despite playing games for several hours, I never felt like I needed to take the headset off except to wipe away sweat which is more of a me problem. The PICO 4 is extremely comfortable.

Now, one of the key areas I look at when it comes to VR headsets is how it handles glasses – because I can’t see without them! I’m pleased to say the PICO 4 comes with an extra piece to increase the depth from the lenses to your face to keep them and your glasses protected. It can be a little tight taking the headset off with glasses on, but it’s a minor niggle.

The controllers are also well designed and fit in the hand well. I never had an issue reaching buttons and didn’t feel like they were too heavy to use in the more active games. With the included controller straps, you can also be sure to keep them securely in your hand!

Set-up and Configuration

The package, when it arrives, feels very premium, and this translates into the unboxing experience. Everything is neatly stored away with simplistic elegance, and the entire experience of discovering what was included was not only easy but also enjoyable. I know raving about how well-boxed something is can be exceptionally geeky, but it was that good an experience it was worth pointing out.

Setting up the device for use is as equally painless. Turn the device on, connect to the internet and register a PICO account if you don’t already have one. You can then set your play area and begin browsing the store for your first buy or check out some of the numerous videos that really showcase the power of this exceptional device.  

Battery Life / Charging

The PICO 4 will give you a good two to three hours of game/watch time before it needs to be charged. Thankfully, this is done via USB-C, so you have options. Firstly, you can use the 20w fast-charging plug that comes in the box and get back up and running in no time. Alternatively, you can simply use a USB-C cable that you link your PICO 4 to a PC and charge while playing.

Either option feels fine, and I never felt like the device ran out of juice too quickly. So far, in the time I’ve had the device, I haven’t needed to replace the controller batteries. Each controller takes two AA batteries, and the process of swapping them out is hassle-free.

Audio and Visuals

Of course, the main thing the PICO 4 needs to be good at is providing exceptional audio and visuals. Thankfully the PICO 4 delivers on this. Using the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor provides exceptional processing power with energy efficiency. This means demanding titles like Half-Life Alyx can run in exceptional resolutions on this headset. Combined with the RAM allowing for smoother visuals, the experience is the best I’ve tried. This is also assisted by the impressive resolution – 2160×2160 pixels per eye, giving better overall visuals than standard 4K. Finally, the field of view is set at 105 degrees which outshines the competition and the PICO 4 predecessor. The 90Hz refresh rate was also more than adequate to ensure smooth visuals in every game I tested. Tracking is achieved with five cameras located around the top, bottom, and centre of the headset.

While I didn’t have the space myself to test it, the PICO 4 also allows for an incredible 10m x 10m play space. This is perfect when paired with the fitness application of the PICO 4 giving far more room for active movement.

The integrated speakers for the PICO 4 aren’t bad, with a bit more bass and less distortion than perhaps you would expect. However, it isn’t fantastic, and you’ll want to connect a headset for the best experience. While I wish the PICO 4 had a headphone jack, it sadly doesn’t. What it does offer is a solid Bluetooth connection, and I found it easy to pair with every Bluetooth headset or earbuds I had lying around.

Games Selection on the PICO 4

As a standalone headset, the PICO 4 has its own app store. In the store, you can purchase a variety of games from developers in pretty much every genre you can think of. From exclusives like Just Dance to amazing third-party titles like Cities VR and Gun Club VR. As well as in the headset, you can also manage your games from the handy companion app.

In addition to the incredible store of games (over 200, with more being added all the time), you can also connect to SteamVR and access everything there as you would expect.

If heart-pounding horror games or fast-paced sports and action games don’t take your fancy, then the PICO 4 has an impressive fitness angle. With various apps offering exercises for everyone. Combined with the dedicated PICO Fitness app, this is a great tool for those of us wanting to get a bit fitter. The platform offers calorie counting, as well as performance tracking across all your gaming.

As if all of this wasn’t enough, you have an internet browser and access to video apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime, making it more than a gaming device.

Testing PICO 4 Games and Experiences

For this initial review, I checked out a few games from a few different genres to put the hardware through its paces. Don’t worry, though; full reviews for these games and many more are coming soon.

Les Mills Body Combat

Take the tried-and-true video-based body combat class and transform it into an immersive VR experience that sees you performing body combat moves to music and accurate timings. Not only was this a fun rhythm game, but it felt like a pretty good workout, too, as body movement, taking advantage of the tracking, was necessary to dodge certain obstacles. The instruction was clear, and the added incentive of the leaderboard system spurred me on through sheer competitiveness. This is a great game, but more importantly, is a fantastic fitness experience to take advantage of the PICO 4’s fitness app.

End Space

Unfortunately, in End Space, I experienced most of the controller inaccuracies, which made the start of the game slow and a little frustrating, but as soon as the level loaded up and I was in the cockpit of the spaceship, this all changed. End Space is a first-person sci-fi shooter that sits you in the cockpit. It is astonishingly beautiful, fast-paced, and genuinely exciting. Blasting enemies, flying a spaceship, and generally being in space is the stuff of dreams, now real. PICO 4 really shone with this title, the impressive visuals and smooth tracking combined made it a joyful experience.

Similarly, booting up Star Wars Squadrons from SteamVR was equally as impressive on PICO 4. The SteamVR interface works well, and the controllers adapt accordingly.

Gun Club VR

Gun Club VR is the firearm simulator you never knew you wanted to play. With an impressive array of weaponry and modes (from basic shooting galleries to zombie attacks), experience guns like you never have before. In VR, this means you must reload by physically taking a clip, inserting it, and readying the weapon. The whole experience is incredibly satisfying and very realistic. On PICO 4, the game looks amazing, sounds amazing, and the motions of changing and preparing your weapon work flawlessly.

Video

Hopping onto YouTube quickly, I enjoyed a cinema-like experience of watching a trailer for Andor before checking out one of the PICO 4 video experiences. The one I selected was a rollercoaster and genuinely had a lot of fun spiraling around at speed!

Technical Specifications

What’s in the PICO 4 Box?

When you get your PICO 4, the box will contain the following:

• The PICO 4 VR headset
• 2x PICO 4 Controllers with batteries
• A 20w fast-charge power adapter and USB-C cable
• Controller straps
• Nose pad
• Glasses spacer
• Literature

PICO 4 Price and Availability

The PICO 4 is available now from various online retailers in the UK and costs £379.99 at the time of writing. This is competitive pricing, as the PICO 4 is cheaper than the Meta Quest 2.

My Final Thoughts on the PICO 4

The PICO 4 is an exceptional powerhouse in the world of VR headsets, and I would go as far as to say the best you can buy right now if you want value for money. Its smooth, high-quality display, exceptional comfort, and simplicity of use make it perfect for die-hard VR fans and newcomers.

So, if you want a gift for yourself or the gamer in your life, during the holiday season, or just because, you won’t regret the PICO 4.

For more information on the PICO 4, head to the official website.