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Pico 4 Ultra: A Next-Gen Standalone VR Headset
The Pico 4 Ultra has officially been revealed—and it’s shaping up to be a strong contender in the standalone VR space, directly aiming to compete with the Meta Quest 3. Rather than launching a brand-new generation, Pico chose to build upon and enhance its existing Pico 4 platform, refining key areas like processing power, comfort, and connectivity.
The result? A more polished and powerful device—without reinventing the wheel.
Why Pico 5 Was Cancelled
Interestingly, Pico decided to scrap the Pico 5 after the Pico 4 didn’t meet sales expectations. Instead of rushing to release a new generation, they’ve taken the smart route: upgrade what already works. The Pico 4 Ultra is a mid-gen refresh that addresses many user complaints and gaps in the original model.
Hardware and Performance Boost
The Pico 4 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip—the same processor used in the Meta Quest 3. But here’s the edge: it comes with 12 GB of RAM, compared to the usual 8 GB in competing devices.
This means:
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Better multitasking capabilities
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Improved app and system performance
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Smoother handling of complex VR content
Refined Design and Comfort
Weighing around 580 grams, the Pico 4 Ultra is balanced across the front and back, reducing pressure on the face—a common issue in front-heavy VR headsets. At a glance, the design looks almost identical to the original Pico 4, but the front-facing cameras and updated internals set it apart.
Storage and Memory Configuration
There’s one version of the Pico 4 Ultra:
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256 GB of internal storage
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12 GB of RAM
That’s more than enough for users who want to store large games, run multiple apps, or enjoy high-quality PCVR streaming without bottlenecks.
WiFi 7 Support
Pico 4 Ultra is the first standalone headset to support WiFi 7, giving it a significant edge for wireless PCVR streaming. Combined with the upgraded chipset and RAM, this allows:
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Lower latency
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More stable connections
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Higher visual fidelity when playing PCVR titles without cables
Display and Visual Quality
While the resolution remains at 2160×2160 per eye, the Ultra now features:
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A 25% brightness increase
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Higher native rendering resolution of 1920×1920 (a 62% boost over the previous model)
The visual experience is clearer and more vibrant, though still not on par with ultra-premium headsets like the Apple Vision Pro.
Mixed Reality and Pass-Through Improvements
One major upgrade is in the pass-through and mixed reality capabilities. The Pico 4 Ultra is equipped with:
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Two full-color 32 MP cameras
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True 3D depth perception
This results in a more immersive and spatially aware MR experience, moving beyond the flat and shallow pass-through seen in the original Pico 4.
New Controller Design Without Tracking Rings
Like the Meta Quest Pro, Pico has ditched the traditional tracking rings on the Ultra’s controllers. The result is:
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Sleeker, more ergonomic controllers
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Advanced tracking through onboard sensors and algorithms
The system still offers solid tracking performance in most use cases.
Body Tracking with Proprietary Trackers
The Ultra introduces two dedicated body trackers, included for free with preorder and available separately for around €100. They don’t use cameras but rely on:
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Internal gyroscopes
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External camera visibility
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Predictive motion algorithms
Ideal for:
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VRChat
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Fitness games
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Dance and music apps
They’re easy to set up and integrate with popular social VR platforms.
Lack of Eye and Hand Tracking
However, the Ultra lacks both:
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Eye tracking
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Built-in hand tracking (at launch)
This may limit its appeal for advanced productivity or accessibility-focused users. You’ll still need controllers for most interactions, at least for now.
Improved Software for Everyday Use
Beyond gaming, Pico is revamping its UI and system software to support daily-use scenarios, including:
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Web browsing
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Watching media
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Multitasking with several apps open in floating windows
The interface is intuitive, with mouse and keyboard support for users who want a productivity-ready headset.
macOS-Inspired Interface
The new UI feels heavily inspired by macOS, with a horizontal dock of apps and floating windows. You can open YouTube, browsers, stock tickers, and more—mimicking the Apple Vision Pro’s experience, albeit in a more mechanical, less fluid way.
PC Streaming and the DisplayPort Debate
Here’s the catch: No DisplayPort. PCVR streaming will rely entirely on:
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WiFi 7
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USB-C
While Pico promises an “incredible algorithm” for data handling over USB, some users remain skeptical—especially given the awkward USB-C port placement.
Standalone Gaming Performance
Running on the same chip as Quest 3, standalone gaming should be similar. However, game optimization on Pico devices often lags behind.
Titles like Angry Birds VR and other lightweight games run fine, but don’t expect groundbreaking standalone performance. The real magic is still in PCVR.
Preorder Bonuses and Games Included
Preorders (starting September 6 to 19, 2025) will include:
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2 body trackers
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4 free games:
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Blade & Sorcery: Nomad
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Infinity Inside
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Let’s Get FIT VR
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Foot Pool
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All for a base price of €599, making it a compelling deal for early adopters.
Apple Content Compatibility
The headset supports spatial video playback recorded on iPhone 15, meaning:
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You can view immersive 3D content
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Watch personal videos in a spatial format
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Playback is smooth and native within Pico’s player
Hands-On First Impressions
After a 30-minute hands-on session, the device left a mostly positive impression:
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Good mechanical performance
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Mixed reality works well
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UI needs more fluidity and adaptive window resizing
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Multitasking works—but feels clunky at times
Still, for early hardware, it held up surprisingly well.
Release Date and Where to Buy
🗓 Preorders open September 6–19, 2025
📦 Available on Amazon and through official Pico partners
🎁 Free trackers and games with early purchases
Pico 4 Ultra vs Meta Quest 3
| Feature | Pico 4 Ultra | Meta Quest 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | XR2 Gen 2 | XR2 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB | Varies |
| Eye Tracking | ❌ | ❌ |
| Hand Tracking | ❌ (planned) | ✅ |
| Pass-Through | Dual 32 MP | Color + Depth |
| PCVR Streaming | WiFi 7 / USB-C | WiFi 6 / USB-C |
| Price | ~€599 | ~€549–699 |
Final Verdict
The Pico 4 Ultra doesn’t aim to revolutionize the VR market—but it does a remarkable job refining what already worked. With better specs, a more balanced design, body tracking, and WiFi 7 support, it could be the ideal mid-range headset for enthusiasts who want more than Quest 2, but less than Vision Pro.
It still lacks eye and hand tracking, and DisplayPort purists may be disappointed—but for many users, it delivers exactly what they need.
