Pico 4 Ultra Challenges Meta Quest 3 in Europe
The Pico 4 Ultra is creating waves in the virtual reality market, potentially challenging the dominance of the Meta Quest 3. However, availability is limited to select European countries, excluding major markets like the US for now.
VR Headset Features and Specs
The Pico 4 Ultra is poised to be among the top performers in VR headsets for PC, rivaling the Meta Quest 2 and the latest Meta Quest 3. Both headsets are built for mixed and virtual reality gaming, featuring the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip. However, the Pico 4 Ultra distinguishes itself with a few key upgrades:
- Memory: The Pico 4 Ultra boasts 12 GB of RAM compared to Meta Quest 3's 8 GB, offering smoother multitasking and performance.
- Weight: It is slightly heavier at 580g versus Meta's 512g.
- Wi-Fi Compatibility: With Wi-Fi 7, it promises better internet stability than the Meta Quest 3's Wi-Fi 6E.
- Passthrough PPD (Pixels Per Degree): Offers 20 PPD, providing higher quality passthrough imagery over Meta's 18 PPD.
Comparative Pricing and Availability
The Pico 4 Ultra is priced at £529 for its 256 GB model, positioning it between the Meta Quest 3's 128 GB and 512 GB variants. Pre-orders start on September 6, with an official release on September 20. However, it is only available in select European countries such as Germany, France, and the UK.
Legal Challenges Affecting US Launch
The potential US launch is clouded by the ongoing legal battle between Bytedance, Pico's parent company, and the US government over TikTok, making it unlikely for the Pico 4 Ultra to arrive stateside soon.
Benefits of Choosing Pico 4 Ultra
Despite a more limited app store compared to Meta, the Pico 4 Ultra comes with enticing pre-order bonuses. These include a Pico motion tracker and access to popular VR games like Blade & Sorcery: Nomad and Let's Get Fit VR.
For those in Europe or with access through international friends, the Pico 4 Ultra presents itself as a robust alternative to Meta's offerings, providing a unique mix of enhanced features and exclusive content.
