PICO 4
| PICO 4 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR |
| Platform | PICO OS |
| Creator | ByteDance |
| Developer | PICO |
| Manufacturer | PICO |
| Announcement Date | September 22, 2022 |
| Release Date | October 18, 2022 |
| Price | €429 (128GB), €499 (256GB) |
| Website | https://www.picoxr.com/global/products/pico4 |
| Versions | PICO 4 (128GB, 256GB), PICO 4 Pro, PICO 4 Enterprise |
| Requires | PICO account |
| Predecessor | PICO Neo 3 Link |
| Successor | PICO 4 Ultra |
| System | |
| Operating System | PICO OS (Android-based) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| CPU | Octa-core Kryo 585 (1× 2.84 GHz + 3× 2.42 GHz + 4× 1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB |
| Memory | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual LCD |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 2160 × 2160 per eye (4320 × 2160 combined) |
| Pixel Density | 20.6 PPD, 1200 PPI |
| Refresh Rate | 72Hz, 90Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 105° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~96° |
| Vertical FoV | ~96° |
| Average Pixel Density | 20.6 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | 20.6 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Fixed foveated rendering |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Pancake lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 62-72mm (stepless adjustment) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses spacer included) |
| Passthrough | Yes (grayscale) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out |
| Tracking Frequency | 60Hz |
| Base Stations | None required |
| Eye Tracking | No (Pro version only) |
| Face Tracking | No (Pro version only) |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 90Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Dual stereo speakers |
| Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 4× tracking cameras, RGB passthrough camera |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | USB-C |
| Wired Video | Yes (USB-C DisplayPort via PICO Streaming) |
| Wireless Video | Yes (PICO Streaming) |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax dual-band 2×2 MIMO) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Power | Internal battery |
| Battery Capacity | 5300mAh |
| Battery Life | 2-3 hours |
| Charge Time | ~2.5 hours (20W fast charging) |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 163mm × 75mm × 286mm |
| Weight | 586g (balanced design) |
| Material | Plastic, fabric |
| Headstrap | Halo strap with rear battery |
| Haptics | Controller haptics |
| Color | White/Gray |
| Sensors | 4× tracking cameras, RGB camera, proximity sensor, IMU |
| Input | PICO controllers, hand tracking, voice |
| Compliance | CE, FCC |
Property "Operating System" (as page type) with input value "PICO OS]] (Android-based)" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Property "Latency" (as page type) with input value "" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.
The PICO 4 is a standalone virtual reality head-mounted display developed by PICO, a subsidiary of ByteDance, announced on September 22, 2022, and released on October 18, 2022. Priced at €429 for the 128GB model in Europe and Asia, the PICO 4 emerged as the primary competitor to the Meta Quest 2, offering similar standalone VR capability at a comparable price point while featuring pancake lens optics—a technology that Meta would only bring to mainstream with Quest 3 a year later. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor with 8GB RAM, the PICO 4 delivers 2160 × 2160 resolution per eye (4K+ total), a 105° field of view, and a unique balanced weight distribution design that places the battery in the rear headband. The PICO 4 is notable for not being available in the United States due to ByteDance's Chinese ownership and related regulatory concerns.
History and Development
PICO Background
PICO was founded in 2015 in Beijing as an independent VR hardware company. In 2021, ByteDance—the parent company of TikTok—acquired PICO for approximately $1.4 billion, dramatically accelerating investment in VR hardware development and global expansion.
Previous Products
PICO's product evolution:
- PICO Neo: Early enterprise-focused headsets
- PICO Neo 2: Improved standalone VR
- PICO Neo 3: Quest 2 competitor in China
- PICO Neo 3 Link: Added PC VR capability
- PICO 4: Global consumer launch
ByteDance Strategy
ByteDance positioned PICO 4 as their global consumer VR product:
- Direct Meta Quest competition
- Consumer-friendly pricing
- Focus on entertainment and gaming
- Expansion beyond Chinese market
Regional Availability
PICO 4 launched in:
- Europe
- Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, etc.)
- Not available in United States
- Due to ByteDance-related regulatory concerns
Design Philosophy
Pancake Lenses First
PICO 4 was among the first mainstream headsets with pancake optics:
- Released before Quest 3
- Slimmer optical profile
- Better image quality than Fresnel
- Competitive advantage at launch
Balanced Weight Distribution
Unique comfort-focused design:
- Front weight: 295g (optics, displays, cameras)
- Rear weight: 291g (battery)
- Total: 586g
- Battery acts as counterweight
Comfort Benefits
The balanced approach provides:
- Reduced facial pressure
- Less neck strain
- Better long-session comfort
- Stable fit during movement
Display Technology
Dual LCD Panels
High-resolution displays:
- Resolution: 2160 × 2160 per eye
- Total: 4320 × 2160 (4K+)
- Pixel Density: 1200 PPI, 20.6 PPD
- Panels: 2.56-inch per eye
Refresh Rate
- 72Hz: Standard mode
- 90Hz: High refresh mode
Visual Quality
Good clarity for the price:
- Reduced screen door effect
- Sharp text
- Good color reproduction
- Adequate for gaming and media
Pancake Lens Optics
Technology
Pancake lens advantages:
- Folded optical path
- Slim form factor
- Better edge-to-edge clarity
- Reduced god rays vs. Fresnel
Field of View
- Total: 105°
- Wider than Quest 2
- Good peripheral coverage
IPD Adjustment
Continuous adjustment:
- Range: 62-72mm
- Stepless wheel adjustment
- Mechanical lens movement
Processing Power
Snapdragon XR2
Same processor as Quest 2:
- CPU: Octa-core Kryo 585
- GPU: Adreno 650
- AI Engine: Fifth generation
- Proven VR platform
Memory
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
Performance
Comparable to Quest 2:
- Similar game performance
- Adequate for current VR titles
- Room for optimization
Tracking System
Inside-Out Tracking
Four cameras provide:
- 6DoF head tracking
- Controller tracking
- Room-scale capability
- No external sensors
Hand Tracking
Built-in hand recognition:
- Gesture-based interaction
- Controller-free navigation
- Limited app support compared to Quest
Controllers
PICO Controllers
Included controllers:
- 6DoF tracking
- Thumbstick and buttons
- Triggers and grip
- Haptic feedback
- AA battery powered
Passthrough
See-Through Mode
Basic passthrough capability:
- Grayscale camera view
- Safety feature
- Not for MR applications
- Contrast with Quest 3's color passthrough
PC VR Connectivity
PICO Streaming
Connect to PC for PCVR:
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 streaming
- Wired: USB-C
- SteamVR compatible
- Access full PC VR library
Requirements
- Compatible gaming PC
- Strong Wi-Fi for wireless
- Similar to Oculus Link setup
Audio System
Integrated Speakers
Dual stereo speakers:
- Positioned near ears
- Spatial audio support
- Adequate quality
3.5mm Jack
Headphone connection available
Battery and Power
Internal Battery
Rear-mounted battery:
- Capacity: 5300mAh
- Runtime: 2-3 hours
- Charging: 20W fast charge (QC 3.0/PD 3.0)
- Location: Rear compartment (counterweight)
Software Platform
PICO OS
Android-based operating system:
- Custom PICO interface
- PICO Store for apps
- Regular updates
Content Ecosystem
Application availability:
- Growing app library
- Many Quest-similar titles
- PCVR access via streaming
- Fitness and entertainment focus
Comparison to Quest
Smaller ecosystem:
- Fewer exclusive titles
- Less developer support
- Growing over time
PICO 4 Pro
Enhanced version with:
- Eye tracking
- Face tracking
- Same price tier
- Limited availability
Enterprise Edition
PICO 4 Enterprise includes:
- Business deployment features
- MDM support
- Extended warranty
Regional Considerations
Not sold in United States due to:
- ByteDance (TikTok parent) ownership
- Regulatory concerns
- Geopolitical considerations
- Data privacy questions
Europe and Asia Focus
Primary markets:
- Strong presence in Europe
- Home market in China
- Growing in Asia-Pacific
Comparison with Quest 2
| Feature | PICO 4 | Meta Quest 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €429+ | $299+ |
| Resolution/eye | 2160×2160 | 1832×1920 |
| Lenses | Pancake | Fresnel |
| FOV | 105° | ~89° |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR2 | Snapdragon XR2 |
| Weight | 586g (balanced) | 503g (front-heavy) |
| IPD | 62-72mm continuous | 58/63/68mm fixed |
| US Availability | No | Yes |
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual LCD, 2160 × 2160 per eye |
| Total Resolution | 4320 × 2160 (4K+) |
| Lenses | Pancake |
| FOV | 105° |
| Refresh Rate | 72Hz / 90Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR2 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out |
| Battery | 5300mAh, 2-3 hours |
| Weight | 586g (balanced) |
| Price | €429 / €499 |