Pico Neo 3 Link
| Pico Neo 3 Link | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR |
| Platform | Pico OS, SteamVR (via Link) |
| Creator | Pico Interactive |
| Developer | Pico Interactive |
| Manufacturer | Pico Interactive |
| Announcement Date | 2022 |
| Release Date | May 2022 |
| Price | €449 |
| Website | https://www.picoxr.com/ |
| Versions | Pico Neo 3 Link |
| Requires | None (standalone) or PC (via DisplayPort) |
| Predecessor | Pico Neo 2 |
| Successor | PICO 4 |
| 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 | 256GB |
| Memory | 6GB LPDDR4X |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | LCD |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 1832 × 1920 per eye (3664 × 1920 combined) |
| Pixel Density | 773 PPI |
| Refresh Rate | 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 98° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~98° |
| Vertical FoV | ~90° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~20 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~20 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Fixed foveated rendering |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Fresnel lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 58-69mm (3-stage adjustment: 58mm, 63.5mm, 69mm) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | Yes (B&W stereo) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out (4 cameras) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None required |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | Up to 120Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated stereo speakers |
| Microphone | Yes (dual) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 4× tracking cameras + passthrough cameras |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, DisplayPort (via cable) |
| Ports | USB-C, DisplayPort (via cable), 3.5mm audio |
| Wired Video | Yes (DisplayPort cable included) |
| Wireless Video | No native (streaming available) |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Power | Internal battery |
| Battery Capacity | 5300mAh |
| Battery Life | 2-3 hours (standalone) |
| Charge Time | ~2.5 hours |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Weight | 395g (headset only), ~620g (with strap) |
| Material | Plastic |
| Headstrap | Deluxe head strap (included) |
| Haptics | Controller haptics |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | 4× tracking cameras, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor |
| Input | Pico 6DoF controllers (pair included) |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
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The Pico Neo 3 Link is a standalone virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Pico Interactive, released in May 2022 at a price of €449 in Europe. The Neo 3 Link represented Pico's consumer-focused offering for the European market, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor, 4K resolution displays at 1832 × 1920 per eye, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and the unique inclusion of a DisplayPort cable for native PC VR connectivity—a feature that gave it an advantage over the Oculus Quest 2's USB-based Link. With 256GB storage, 6GB RAM, four tracking cameras, hand tracking support, and a deluxe head strap included in the box, the Neo 3 Link positioned itself as a direct Quest 2 competitor offering both standalone gaming and high-quality tethered PC VR in one package.
History and Development
Pico Background
Company evolution:
- Founded 2015
- ByteDance acquisition (2021)
- Enterprise VR focus initially
- Consumer expansion
Neo Series Evolution
Product line:
- Neo 2 (Snapdragon 845)
- Neo 3 (Snapdragon XR2)
- Standalone + PC hybrid
- Feature progression
European Launch
Market strategy:
- May 2022 release
- European consumer market
- Quest 2 competition
- Regional focus
ByteDance Era
Company backing:
- TikTok parent company
- Significant investment
- Aggressive expansion
- Consumer push
Design Philosophy
Hybrid VR
Dual functionality:
- Standalone capability
- PC VR via DisplayPort
- Best of both worlds
- Versatile platform
Quest Competition
Market positioning:
- Similar XR2 platform
- Comparable specifications
- DisplayPort advantage
- European availability
Complete Package
In-box value:
- Deluxe strap included
- DisplayPort cable included
- Controllers included
- Ready to use
Display Technology
4K LCD Display
High resolution:
- Resolution: 1832 × 1920 per eye
- Total: 3664 × 1920 (4K)
- Size: 5.5"
- PPI: 773
Refresh Rate
Multiple options:
- 72Hz standard
- 90Hz high
- 120Hz maximum
- User/app selectable
Visual Quality
Good imagery:
- Sharp displays
- Minimal screen door
- Good clarity
- Quest 2 comparable
Field of View
98° FOV
Standard specification:
- Adequate immersion
- Comparable to Quest 2
- Good for games
- Standard consumer range
Optical System
Fresnel Lenses
Standard optics:
- Good sweet spot
- Some god rays
- Compact design
- Standard quality
IPD Adjustment
Three-stage system:
- Positions: 58mm, 63.5mm, 69mm
- Default: 63.5mm
- Range: Adapts 54-73mm
- Hardware adjustment
Processing Power
Snapdragon XR2
Premium mobile VR chip:
- CPU: Kryo 585 octa-core
- GPU: Adreno 650
- Process: 7nm
- Quest 2 equivalent
Performance
Capable computing:
- 2× Neo 2 performance
- Good game performance
- Smooth experiences
- Modern mobile VR
Memory
Generous specification:
- RAM: 6GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 256GB UFS 3.0
- More than Quest 2 base
- Good for content
Tracking System
Inside-Out Tracking
Four-camera system:
- 6DoF head tracking
- No external sensors
- Room-scale capable
- Good coverage
Controller Tracking
Headset-tracked:
- 6DoF controllers
- Wide tracking volume
- Good reliability
- Standard quality
Hand Tracking
Camera-based:
- Native hand tracking
- Controller-free option
- UI navigation
- Some games
Guardian System
Safety features:
- Dynamic guardian
- Passthrough video
- Boundary detection
- Safety alerts
Controllers
Pico 6DoF Controllers
Included pair:
- Full 6DoF tracking
- Thumbstick
- Trigger and grip
- Menu buttons
Controller Design
Input features:
- Ergonomic grip
- LED ring for tracking
- Haptic feedback
- AA batteries
PC VR Connectivity
DisplayPort Cable
Unique feature:
- Included: DisplayPort cable
- Native video connection
- Higher quality than USB
- Lower latency
Link Advantage
vs Quest Link:
- DisplayPort vs USB
- Better bandwidth
- Higher quality
- True PC VR
PC Requirements
Tethered use:
- Gaming PC required
- DisplayPort GPU
- Standard VR specs
- SteamVR compatible
Audio System
Integrated Speakers
Built-in audio:
- Stereo speakers
- Decent quality
- Convenient
- Environmental awareness
3.5mm Jack
Headphone option:
- Private listening
- Better quality
- User choice
- Standard port
Dual Microphones
Voice capture:
- Communication capable
- Voice commands
- Social VR
- Recording
Battery
Internal Battery
Power specification:
- Capacity: 5300mAh
- Life: 2-3 hours standalone
- Charging: ~2.5 hours
- USB-C charging
Physical Design
Form Factor
Standalone design:
- 395g headset
- ~620g with strap
- Balanced weight
- Comfortable wear
Deluxe Strap
Included accessory:
- Halo-style design
- Rear battery/weight
- Extended comfort
- In-box value
Build Quality
Good construction:
- Quality plastics
- Solid build
- Premium feel
- Good fit
Software Platform
Pico OS
Android-based:
- Custom interface
- App store
- Game library
- Regular updates
Pico Store
Content platform:
- VR games
- Applications
- Growing library
- Regular additions
SteamVR
PC gaming:
- Full SteamVR via Link
- PC VR library
- High quality
- Standard platform
Passthrough
Stereo Passthrough
Real-world view:
- B&W stereo
- Boundary awareness
- Quick look
- Safety feature
Comparison with Quest 2
| Feature | Pico Neo 3 Link | Meta Quest 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €449 | €299/€399 |
| Resolution/eye | 1832×1920 | 1832×1920 |
| Refresh Rate | 72/90/120Hz | 72/90/120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR2 | Snapdragon XR2 |
| Storage | 256GB | 128/256GB |
| PC Connection | DisplayPort (included) | USB (Quest Link) |
| Strap | Deluxe included | Basic (Elite separate) |
| IPD | 3-stage physical | 3-stage physical |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- DisplayPort PC VR cable included
- Deluxe strap included
- 256GB storage
- 6GB RAM
- Up to 120Hz
- Hand tracking
- Quest 2 competitive
Limitations
- Limited regional availability
- Smaller app ecosystem
- No wireless PC streaming native
- Heavier than Quest 2
- Superseded by PICO 4
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | LCD, 1832 × 1920 per eye |
| Total Resolution | 3664 × 1920 (4K) |
| Refresh Rate | 72/90/120Hz |
| FOV | 98° |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR2 |
| Memory | 6GB RAM, 256GB storage |
| Tracking | Inside-out (4 cameras) |
| IPD | 3-stage (58/63.5/69mm) |
| Battery | 5300mAh (2-3 hours) |
| Weight | 395g (headset) |
| Price | €449 |