If you’ve been eyeing up a Mixed Reality (MR) headset, then the PICO 4 Ultra probably is already on your radar. Simultaneously, PICO has also launched the Motion tracker, and this combo is making waves to challenge the Meta Quest 3 which has been dominant in the VR market. Whether you're into gaming, fitness, or simply want to explore the future of augmented reality, the PICO 4 ultra promises to change the way you interact with the digital world. In this review, we will take a look at what makes the PICO 4 Ultra & Motion Tracker an exciting option for you guys who are looking to enter the MR world.
A Lightweight Yet Balanced Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the PICO 4 Ultra is how comfortable it feels compared to other MR headsets. Although the 580g weight is not the lightest in the market, it definitely feels lighter than it looks, thanks to the unique front-to-back weight distribution. With the battery at the rear and lenses upfront, the weight is evenly spread across your head, therefore reducing the pressure on your face. You can easily wear it for a couple of hours without feeling like you’ve got a brick on your face, and if you’ve ever tried some other imbalanced VR headsets, you’d definitely appreciate this design improvement.
The controllers have also been redesigned with a ring-less form, making them about 15 grams lighter and 50% shorter than the previous generation. It may not sound like much, but when you’re in a game or using MR for extended periods, every little bit helps. The HyperSense broadband linear motors continue to stay, ensuring you don’t lose out on that precise, tactile feedback that adds to the immersion.
High-Definition Visuals for Immersive Experience
The PICO 4 Ultra is equipped with a total of 7 visual sensors, which includes four environmental tracking cameras, two colour cameras and one iToF depth-sensing camera, all combine to form the powerful MR perception capability of the PICO 4 Ultra.The dual 32MP RGB cameras help to give a clean HD passthrough experience. This means that when you’re using it in MR mode, the real-world visuals are as sharp as they come. It’s almost like looking through a window, not a screen. The attention to details is particularly noticeable when interacting with objects in the real world. Whether you’re mapping out your room for MR games or just casually interacting with objects, the precision in capturing spatial details is just top-notch.
The dual 4K+ screens also support a refresh rate of 90Hz, offering smooth visuals that are crucial especially for fast-paced gaming or video playback. The colours are accurately reproduced, and you don’t get that weird distortion at the edges like with some other headsets. The PICO 4 Ultra also transitions seamlessly between VR and MR with a simple click, making it easy to dive into either virtual or mixed reality without any hassle.
Spatial Computing for Ultimate Multitasking
Beyond entertainment, the PICO 4 Ultra doubles as a productivity tool, making it much more than just a gaming headset. PICO has refined its spatial computing capabilities, which now allows you to mirror your devices within the headset, effectively turning your workspace into a fully virtual setup. You can display up to 3 home screens simultaneously and open up to 20 tasks at once, making it ideal for users who need to juggle between multiple windows, be it for work or casual browsing. Honestly this would be an overkill for most users but still it's always nice to have that extra boost in power.
The PICO Connect feature makes connecting your devices easier than ever, regardless whether you’re using a Windows PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone. The interaction between mirrored devices is also very seamless, as it supports multiple inputs, for example you can use the controller to navigate the phone or laptop, or you can also use the keyboard mouse to operate your phone. This integration makes the PICO 4 Ultra a standout, especially if you’re someone who multitasks a lot and often finds the need to switch devices in between entertainment and productivity.
AI-Driven Personalization: Creating Your Own Reality
One of the coolest features of the PICO 4 Ultra is its AIGC (AI-generated content) technology, which allows you to create 360° scenes with just text prompts. Feeling like you want to experience winter? No problem. Want a beach scene? The AI can whip that up for you in no time. This feature adds a personal touch to your MR experience, enabling you to generate unique and realistic virtual surroundings to suit your mood and preference. And this goes beyond just aesthetics—it’s about bringing a higher level of interaction into your virtual world. With PICO’s AI Spatial Calculation and Spatial Modeling - Room Capture, it conducts environmental scans & mapping on your physical space, outlining the objects and furniture to simulate the collision and occlusion effect, which further adds on a whole new layer of immersion.
Content Creation and Next-Level Gaming
For those into content creation, especially on TikTok, the PICO 4 Ultra has some pretty impressive tools as well. You can shoot, edit, and post spatial videos directly from the headset, eliminating the need for transferring between multiple devices or complex editing software. The built-in tools, including music libraries, special effects and beautification algorithms, make creating content easier and more fun.
And let’s not forget what’s better for gaming in the PICO 4 Ultra. It supports Wi-Fi 7, which significantly reduces latency and improves the overall gaming experience, and of course it works better when paired with a high-performance router. SteamVR integration is another bonus, allowing you to tap into a broader library of games and experiences, all streamed in stunning 3K resolution. Whether you’re dancing in a rhythm game or fighting in a VR shooter, the PICO 4 Ultra keeps the gameplay smooth and lag-free.
PICO Motion Tracker: The Full-Body VR Experience
The PICO Motion Tracker is the cherry on top, and if you’ve been looking for a full-body immersion, you definitely want to get this alongside the headset. It's incredibly lightweight at only 27 grams and tracks your entire body from head to toes. This adds a whole new level of interactivity especially in sports, dancing, and rhythm games.
And it's super easy to use. It pairs automatically with the PICO 4 Ultra and features a "one-glance calibration" that makes setup a breeze. The tracker uses a combination of IMU and IR light sensors to offer precise, low-latency tracking, even in complex environments. If you’re a serious gamer you would know how huge of a deal is latency, and now you can kick, jump, or squat in virtual games without feeling limited by the hardware. Games like "All-in-One Sports VR" and "TempoClub" make excellent use of this feature, allowing for more dynamic gameplay.
Specifications for Power-packed Performance
Of course The PICO 4 Ultra isn’t just about flashy features. Underneath it got some serious hardware backing it up. The headset is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, which delivers significantly improved performance over previous models. The chip offers a 2.5x boost in GPU performance, which allows for faster rendering, better multitasking, and overall smoother performance.
The headset also packs a 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB internal storage, not only making it highly efficient for multitasking but also ensuring sufficient space for your MR apps, videos and games. For content creators who may be capturing high-resolution spatial videos or gaming sessions, this storage option would definitely be enough.
The battery is another strong point. Its 5700mAh battery offers extended playtime, so you don’t have to worry about consistently recharging. The 45W fast charging also ensures you’re back in action in no time.
Verdict: An All-Rounder in the MR Space
The PICO 4 Ultra set a new benchmark for MR headsets, and paired with the PICO Motion Tracker, it just brings the entire VR MR experience to a whole new level. Whether you’re after high-quality visuals, seamless device integration, or a fully immersive gaming experience, this duo delivers across the board.
Meta has been a very strong contender in the VR market especially when it comes to gamers who prefer standalone devices without the need for a PC or console. We did see the Apple Vision Pro, but it’s pretty obvious that it’s not really meant for gaming, not to mention the premium price tag, so the market is definitely in need of a device that can actually compete with the Quest 3, and the PICO 4 Ultra certainly does the job well.
If you’re looking for an MR headset that can do it all—gaming, productivity, content creation—the PICO 4 Ultra & Motion Tracker combo is seriously worth considering. It’s not just another gadget; it’s a powerful tool that bridges virtual and real worlds seamlessly. With AI-driven scene generation, ultra-low latency for streaming, and full-body motion tracking, the PICO 4 Ultra offers something for everyone and the experience is just hard to beat.
The PICO 4 Ultra is priced at RM2,799 whereas the PICO Motion Tracker is priced at RM399, and with all the features it offers, it's definitely an exciting addition to any tech setup.
Comments