Pico 4 Ultra

Pico 4 Ultra
Basic Info
VR/AR	Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality
Type	Head-mounted display
Subtype	Standalone VR
Platform	PICO OS
Developer	ByteDance
Manufacturer	PICO
Announcement Date	August 2024
Release Date	September 2024
Price	€599 / £529
Website	https://www.picoxr.com/global/products/pico4-ultra
System
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
Storage
Storage	256 GB
Memory	12 GB LPDDR5
Display
Display	2× LCD
Resolution	2160×2160 per eye (4320×2160 combined)
Refresh Rate	72 Hz, 90 Hz
Image
Field of View	105°
Horizontal FoV	105°
Optics
Optics	Pancake lenses
Ocularity	Binocular
IPD Range	58-72mm
Passthrough	Color (2× 32MP cameras + depth sensor)
Tracking
Tracking	Inside-out 6DoF (4 cameras)
Eye Tracking	Yes
Face Tracking	Yes
Hand Tracking	Yes
Audio
Audio	Built-in speakers, 3.5mm jack
Microphone	Dual microphones
Connectivity
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C
Battery Life	2-4 hours
Device
Weight	580g
Color	Black/White

The PICO 4 Ultra is a standalone virtual reality and mixed reality head-mounted display developed by PICO (a subsidiary of ByteDance), released in September 2024. It is positioned as a direct competitor to the Meta Quest 3, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, high-resolution color passthrough cameras, and a comprehensive mixed reality feature set. The headset is available in Europe and Asia but not in the United States.

History and Development

The PICO 4 Ultra is an upgraded version of the PICO 4, representing PICO's first all-in-one VR and mixed reality headset with advanced passthrough capabilities. PICO, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, positioned the Ultra as a premium offering designed to compete directly with Meta's Quest 3.^[1]

An enterprise variant, the Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise, is also available with additional features for business applications.

Design and Hardware

Display and Optics

The PICO 4 Ultra features dual LCD panels with 2160×2160 resolution per eye (4320×2160 combined), delivering approximately 20 pixels per degree. Compared to the previous PICO 4 model, the Ultra offers:

25% increase in screen brightness
62% increase in resolution rendering
Color correction improvements
Pancake lens design for a compact form factor^[2]

The field of view is 105 degrees, and the refresh rate supports 72 Hz and 90 Hz modes. IPD adjustment ranges from 58mm to 72mm.

Processing and Memory

The headset is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor with 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM—4 GB more than the Meta Quest 3's 8 GB. This additional memory provides better futureproofing for larger game levels and more complex applications.^[3]

Internal storage is 256 GB.

Mixed Reality Cameras

For mixed reality, the PICO 4 Ultra features:

Dual 32MP color cameras (up from 16MP on base PICO 4)
Dedicated depth sensor (not present on base model)
8MP equivalent passthrough quality
22.5 PPD in center of passthrough image
Low distortion passthrough
MR frame alignment up to 72 Hz

This camera system enables high-quality color seethrough that's "incredibly smooth and natural."^[4]

Controllers

The PICO 4 Ultra includes redesigned controllers with an innovative ring-free design that is 50% shorter in height compared to the previous generation. The ergonomic improvements offer a more comfortable grip during extended use.

Battery and Charging

The 5700 mAh battery provides 2-4 hours of use depending on activity type. The headset supports 45W fast charging for quick turnaround between sessions.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 7 for fast wireless streaming and downloads
Bluetooth 5.2 for accessories
USB-C for wired PC VR and charging

Software and Features

Mixed Reality Interface

PICO has overhauled the user interface to maximize the mixed reality experience:

Shortcut on main menu to toggle between MR and VR modes
Freeform window placement—drag and drop windows around the environment
More flexible than Meta's carousel layout approach

Tracking

The PICO 4 Ultra supports:

6DoF inside-out tracking (no base stations required)
Hand tracking
Eye tracking
Face tracking

Specifications

Component	Specification
Processor	Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
RAM	12 GB LPDDR5
Storage	256 GB
Display	2160×2160 per eye LCD
Refresh Rate	72 Hz, 90 Hz
Field of View	105°
IPD Range	58-72mm
Passthrough	Color (2× 32MP + depth)
Battery	5700 mAh
Weight	580g
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2

Reception

The PICO 4 Ultra has received positive reviews, with critics noting it as a strong Meta Quest 3 competitor:

Praise:

Better specs than Quest 3 (more RAM, Wi-Fi 7)
High-quality mixed reality passthrough
Comfortable redesigned controllers
Large 256GB storage
Strong battery life with fast charging

Criticism:

Not available in the United States
Smaller software library compared to Meta Quest
Meta Quest 3 price cuts reduced value proposition
Some exclusives not available on PICO platform

"It's a shame the Pico 4 Ultra isn't available in the US, because it's the Quest 3 competitor the industry needs" - GamesRadar+^[3]

Availability

The PICO 4 Ultra is available in:

Europe (€599)
United Kingdom (£529)
Asia Pacific markets

The headset is not available in the United States due to regulatory and market considerations.

References

[pico-1] "PICO launches its first all-in-one VR & Mixed Reality headset". PICO. https://www.picoxr.com/global/about/newsroom/pico-4-ultra-mixed-reality-headset.

[techradar-2] "Pico 4 Ultra review: powerful, but second fiddle to the Meta Quest 3 VR headset". TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/pico-4-ultra-review.

[gamesradar-3] 3.0 ^3.1 "Pico 4 Ultra review: "The Quest 3 competitor the industry needs"". GamesRadar+. https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/vr/pico-4-ultra-review/.

[pcgamer-4] "Pico 4 Ultra review". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/vr-hardware/pico-4-ultra-review/.

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