Pico 4 Review After One Year: Better Than Quest 3?

The Full Story of Pico 4 - The Headset That Almost Toppled the Giants

Welcome to another in-depth review on VR Lowdown! Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of the Pico 4 VR headset. If you're at the crossroads of purchasing a VR headset, your timing couldn't be more perfect. As Quest 3 lurks just beyond the horizon, is the Pico 4 still a player in the game or a spectator on the bench?

The Journey So Far: Pico 4 Through Thick and Thin

I've spent an entire year with the Pico 4, and it's been a rollercoaster ride. From being awe-struck by its high-resolution display panels and pancake lenses to grappling with minor software and tracking issues—this headset has shown significant growth.

Battling Giants: Pico 4 vs. Quest 2 vs. Quest 3

The Pico 4 initially bit off more than it could chew, attempting to go toe-to-toe with Meta's Quest 2. But as of September 2023, the Pico 4 is no pushover. But how does it stack against the upcoming Quest 3, which promises a mixed-reality buffet and a more powerful processor? We break it down.

The Budget Factor: Pico 4 is Wallet-Friendly, But at What Cost?

Priced considerably lower than the rumored Quest 3, the Pico 4 is a budget-friendly marvel. But does it offer enough value in the long term, considering the growing Meta ecosystem?

A Few More Things Before You Go...

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[jameslfowler]

yeah you sold me on your last comment. i want a helmet that can do pc vr and standalone stuff also. great review sir! its most appreciated.

[FlockofSmeagles]

I'm just waiting for a company to have that light bulb moment. Realizing that the real potential in these headsets has everything to do with evolving inside the desktop computing space.

[loyaltybeats]

I will gonna to buy Pico 4 over Quest 3 in Half of the price, because I'm PCVR player, there no BIG different between Quest 3 and Pico 4

[SjaakSchulteis]

I'm using my Pico4 mainly for PCVR and my Quest2 for fitness. Yesterday I played Skyrim VR with my Quest2 instead of the Pico4. I was curious if all updates of the Quest2 made any change (faster processing and GPU) and after that with my Pico4. Well.... Pico4 was a big winner once again. If you only play PCVR, there is no doubt about it: Pico4.
But I will buy the Quest3, since it will have similar lenses and a much better chip. To me the Quest3 will be a Pico4 and Quest2 melted together and will have the benefits of both headsets.
I also heard the rumour that there is a Pico5 coming to the market.... I'm curious.

[RASPUTIN_GB]

I had a Quest 2 and changed to the Pico 4 a year ago and found it to be so much better, I recently sold it and bought a Quest 3, what a mistake I should never have got rid of my Pico 4, luckily although has been expensive I now have a Pico 4 again, it's far better in every way down even the menu system and UI is far better, the only downside is less games, I also find it so much more comfortable and don't get any light bleed like you do it could possibly be your head shape? I won't be changing again that's for sure!

[RJSamonte]

Leaks have the Pico 5 releasing next year with better resolution than the Quest 3. I will wait for more Pico 5 announcements.

[billienomates]

Purchased mine 6 days ago and was initially impressed, but as time went on I realised there was an issue.

No matter what adjustment I did to the ipd I could not get a clear focus. Also I was getting a slight heat haze/ shimmering effect on the visuals. Small text was sort of shimmering, although when I angled my head over to right or left shoulder it corrected the issue.

Bit of a shame but I returned them as defective due to watching many youtube vids with the pico 4 showing none of these issues.

Reddit has many comments on these visual aberrations on the pico 4. many were saying it is down to known manufacturing issues on sets made in certain batches during 2021 and 2022.

Shame I was looking forward to using it, but I think I will wait another year or so and see how the vr/ar industry progresses.

I will watch your channel to see how advancements in the more budget range progress.

[ivankrasnov]

Thanks for the review! Very insightful!

[Its_ilia]

i mainly want to use PCVR so should i go for pico 4 or wait for quest 3?

[DrydenOk]

Thanks for review, I'm choosing between Q3 and P4 right now! <3
I have questions that I may've missed in your review.
1) whats with limited pc-link bandwidth of P4? Does it hurt much? Do you notice any lags or compression artifacts?
2) I read P4 has noticeable "ghosting" effect (ghost copy of bright object). Do you notice that alot? Does that hurt immersion?

[Dratio]

I'd like good quality pcvr but at a budget around $500 I must choose between having display port or pancake lenses. Which would you choose? I've heard pancake looks great but I don't know if that will be offset by the compression of usb vs dp.

[PhantomMark]

I loved mine, recently I have developed an awkward performance blurp, the face foam is hard on the forehead, the visuals are awesome tho, I run it 250% in Steam VR, I came from the Q2, and previous to that the Rift S, Rift and DK2. Never had a single issue with tracking, I spend most of my time in DCS.

[KiLDELTA]

Just bought the Pico 4 as it was on sale at a local online store, less the price of a bnew Quest 2 in fact. It is a steal. I only play pcvr mainly. I actually also own and will keep my Quest 2 as a back up

[Nyersevo]

Pimax crystal is worht the money or should i buy pico 4 ? the Crystal is so much better than Pico 4? What do you think?

[poli]

if Q3 had eye tacking they would monopolize the market immeditely. One major problem with commercial vr is that you cant see anything outsite the center of the screen. Like pico 4, if use as a desktop vr browse internet I cannot read anything if dont move my head to center what I want to read...

[quebert_]

Do you think i should buy the quest 2 or the pico4? I really don't know (can't buy the quest3 btw)

[CarsandCats]

I don't see how you could use over the ear headphones with Pico 4 since it covers the tops of your ears.

[batvanio]

PS:
Let's not forget that they deleted the virtual homes of the people they made with so much love without a chance to make a copy of them on their computer.

[LWNY..]

My Pico 4 is being delivered tomorrow. What game(s) should I download?! 🙏☺️

[BaidaFFM]

I have a pico 4 full moded with accus, heatstrap and so on. I testet the Q3 and the Q3 is so much better but not comortable at stok