If you are new to virtual reality (VR) headsets, you probably don't think much about mixed reality (MR) headsets.
While VR headsets are great for gaming, MR headsets offer productivity which extends to your work and even game needs. Say you are in between gaming sessions and you need to get to your tabletop drink quickly. MR headsets allow you to interact with your actual personal space, whereas VR headsets will often transport your in-game avatar into another world.
Long story short; VR refers to a completely different virtual world that feels real. Whereas MR is a cross between a different and your current reality.
If you're new and also a tech savvy gamer or casual consumer looking to pick up a reality headset, you can opt for a PICO 4 Ultra MR Headset. On paper, everything looks good, but how does it fare? Here's our brief take on the PICO 4 Ultra Mixed Reality Headset.
Editor
Jodee Tan chevron_right
Table of Contents
PICO 4 Ultra Specifications
- Display: 2.56-inch screen (×2), 2160 × 2160 (× 2), 1200 PPI (pixels per inch), 90Hz refresh rate, pancake lenses
- Processor: Snapdragon®️ XR2 Gen 2
- Field of view: 105 degrees
- Sensor: 32 MP color seethrough camera, ToF depth-sensing camera, Environment tracking camera
- Storage: 12GB RAM, 256GB
- Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 4 microphones and supports spatial audio recording
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery: 5700 mAh rated capacity, supports QC 4.0 / PD 3.0, 45W fast charger, AA batteries ×2
Design
The PICO 4 Ultra wise shares many visual features to its predecessor PICO 4. But perhaps, the biggest change would be its weight and ergonomics built. While minimal in physical changes, our video editors report a lighter & better balanced feel to the PICO 4 Ultra.
On paper, the PICO 4 Ultra weighs around 580 grams, with the front being 304 grams and the rear 276 grams; the weight distribution here helps to make the headset feel lighter than it is. A nice improvement was that the headset now uses a single-lens pancake optical design, which contributes to it being lighter than the PICO 4 model.
Moreover, PICO 4 Ultra now comes with ring-less controllers (to which the PICO 4 had rings on). Design wise, we are in favour with these new haptic controllers, which are 15 grams lighter with a reduced height (50% shorter). Those features definitely help ensure portability and comfort during extended use.
Performance
Chipset & Storage
A nice thing to the PICO 4 Ultra is that it's ready to be used for a long time. It sports a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Chip to bring you 2.5x better GPU performance, with an emphasis on providing smoother visuals.
PICO 4 Ultra is also powered by the highest RAM achievable in reality headsets so far, with 12GB RAM & 256GB Storage. This puts the PICO 4 Ultra a nice standalone product that's ideal for multitasking and running MR applications.
Visual
At a visual glance, you'll see on its front that the PICO 4 Ultra has two camera lenses for "eyes", which are dual 32MP RGB cameras. They enable seamless switching between virtual and real environments while maintaining high-definition seethrough visuals with your actual surroundings.
On the inside, what you will get to see is dual 4K+ screens. You'll also get 90Hz refresh rate, which is lower than other competing reality headsets that deliver 120Hz instead. PICO 4 Ultra also promises clear and immersive visuals with the given hardware, as well as optimized color accuracy and reduced edge distortion.
In our experience, clear visual will depend on what you expect out of the headset. While screens in the headset are acceptably clear, trying to read items from actual reality did not satisfy the clarity we were seeking. This would be the case for smaller prints, and on smaller items.
Motion Tracker
As mentoned earlier, the ringless controllers, which are used for navigation, are now lighter in weight, so they are more comfortable to use in the long run. At the same time, controllers feel more tactile to use, making the overall experience pleasant for casual gaming and productivity use.
When it comes to trackers for body movements and objects to mimic real-life stimulation, you get a total of 3 trackers: 2 for legs (but can be used for items to mimic simulation such as playing baseball and such), and 1 for the waist. They're all lightweight and comfortable, weighing just 27 grams. Tracking technology is also of high-precision, utilising IMU and IR light fusion to achieve smooth motion capture, even for fast movements like running or jumping.
Speaking of which, the trackers are capable of multiple movements, useable for the 22 applications at launch and across rhythm, fitness, and social apps, with more to come.
For the most parts, we find the comfortable designs for extended use to be true. If anything, the PICO 4 Ultra is possible one of the most comfortable headsets to use, with easy set up and all.
Mixed Reality (MR)
To provide the best experience possible, PICO 4 Ultra's Enhanced MR Perception technology comprises of 7 sensors, which includes an internet of things (iToF) depth-sensing camera in order to measure distances accurately, essentially improving spatial perception.
And because the PICO 4 Ultra is an MR headset, you can toggle between VR and MR Modes. Using just a single button, you can easily switch between the modes, by which the VR mode will overlay apps in the real world.
We are on the fence with this quip. While we are happy to use the headset like a regular VR headset product, its visual hardware does not suffice if one is already exposed to a headset with higher specifications.
For example, frame rates for VR mode won't look as nice with many demanding games. At the same time, we had difficulty figuring out how to do multi screens in MR mode on the devise itself when it comes to enhancing productivity for work, so this is not a beginner-friendly product, as well as being the ultimate do-it-all product.
Why Buy The PICO 4 Ultra Mixed Reality Headset
- Very comfortable
- Balanced features for casual productivity and gaming use
- Future-proofed features (ex. Wi-Fi 7 support etc)
- Easy to set-up
Are you new to reality headsets that can do a bit of both? The PICO 4 Ultra is a good option especially if you don't know what you want in a headset. If you're a casual user who likes balanced products, are not a hardcore gamer, and wish to have products that are future proofed (Ex. the PICO 4 Ultra has Wi-Fi 7 support), you'll like the PICO 4 Ultra.
In short, the PICO 4 Ultra product is neither on the higher-end spectrum for both gaming and productivity. If anything, it's good for the user in between, and at the same time for tech enthusiasts who wants to dip their toes in the reality headset pool. BUT you can still make it work if you fall on the spectrum end of user-type.
Say if you want to solely rely on ths product for gaming, it's best suitable for casual gamers that won't demand too much graphics. At the same time, if you are just dipping your toes into reality headsets and want a supplementary product to go with your productivity monitor at work, PICO 4 Ultra will also be a good addition.
In the end it's up to your expectations on a mixed reality headset such as the PICO 4 Ultra. While it's not the best of the best, it's still a product worth your attention, especially if you are in favour of a future with mixed reality devices.
Buy the PICO 4 Ultra
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