GamesRadar+ Verdict
The Pico 4 Ultra is an excellent standalone VR headset for gaming.
This is a headset that deserves better than the underdog reputation its launching with.
The Pico 4 Ultra feels like an act of defiance.
(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)
At least in Europe and Asia, the Pico 4 Ultra is that rival.
Then there are the controllers to think about.
Noticeably longer than the Quest 3s controllers, they now abandon their tracking rings.
(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)
They have all the usual buttons VR controllers need, plus some extras for in-game menus.
They also feature an Ultra-wideband vibrating motor and are powered by a single AA battery each.
Similarly, two LCD displays with a 90Hz refresh rate can be viewed through pancake lenses.
(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)
The Android OS runs smoothly, and loads quickly from startup.
For watching streaming content onDisneyPlus or Netflix, power consumption was pretty reliable.
There are mixed-reality features to be gained here, including the ability to take spatial videos and photos.
(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)
Its just a bit creepy.
This is a nice bonus, and not something Meta offers at the time of writing.
Passthrough clarity is a big part of how a machine like this can feel for uses other than gaming.
(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)
As I say, its a mixed bag when you compare their passthroughs so directly.
I dont use these devices for spatial computing, or indeed for many mixed-reality tasks.
And play games I did.
After some immediate comparison tests, I also noticed more jaggy lines when gaming on Quest 3.
It was a shame, though, that the speakers on the Quest 3 proved to be far superior.
Controllers were a similar story.
I prefer the longer feel of the Pico 4 Ultras controllers.
Perhaps the biggest gaming-based flaw I noticed with the Pico 4 Ultra was controller tracking issues.
In lower lighting, the Pico 4 Ultra really struggled to track my controllers accurately.
It makes me wonder whether keeping the tracking rings on Picos controllers would have been a benefit.
This is a nice bonus, and not something Meta offers at the time of writing.
Software & Privacy
But is it better than the Quest 3?
In terms of raw specs, the answer is a tentative yes.
Im almost certain the library is going to expand as time goes on.
Id like to see a genuine alternative if, like me, you give Meta a wide berth.
Still, at least with this on the shelves, you have a choice of a lesser evil.
Should you buy the Pico 4 Ultra?
But is it better than the Quest 3?
In terms of raw specs, the answer is a tentative yes.
Unfortunately, theyre so close to call in different ways that its hard to give a definitive answer overall.
In terms of a gaming experience, I did actually enjoy the Pico 4 Ultra more.
Overall, Im just glad to see a very viable alternative enter the scene.
I kept a close eye on battery life to determine how long the unit lasts on a full charge.
it’s possible for you to read more about our testing ethos by checking out the fullGamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.
For flat-screen gaming, check out thebest gaming TVsand thebest gaming monitors.
For a halfway house, take a look at thebest curved gaming monitors.
