Virtual Reality (VR) has ever been the next step in immersive gaming. In fact, in 2016 when the first VR headset was commercially available, the gaming industry was the first to jump on the possibilities for AAA games and the industry at large. However, many barriers have prevented wide adoption—one of the largest being the lack of viable options for the general consumer. That has changed in the past few months with the launch of the PICO 4 and PICO Neo 3 Link.
The PICO 4 brings the possibility of a cordless, untethered VR experience mainstream. Similar to its main competitor, the Meta Quest 2, the PICO 4 removes the need for bulky sensors and wide open spaces for an immersive VR experience. Instead, the sensors have been built-in into the headset itself to provide a more natural and user-centred experience.
Specc’d for Enthusiasts, Made for Everyone
PICO Interactive is consciously targeting the consumer with the new offering. However, enthusiasts are being left by the wayside neither, the PICO 4 is packed with features that enthusiasts are looking for. Underneath the sleek exterior of the PICO 4 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 system on a chip (SoC). Qualcomm has engineered the SoC from the ground up to power VR and AR experiences. The 64-bit quad-core processor has been proven to be able to handle some of the most complex VR experiences available now; even at high resolutions. Speaking of, the PICO 4 comes with high-resolution, 2K displays with refresh rates between 72Hz and 90Hz. PICO also uses pancake lenses which reduce the focal distance required for VR and allow for a slimmer, sleeker design.
Together with this, the standalone VR headset comes with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 support. Of course, no VR experience is possible without the sensors to provide an immersive experience. The PICO 4 comes with 6 degrees-of-freedom positioning system which will allow users to move freely and more naturally in VR. All the sensors required are built into the headset. In fact, users can define safe spaces for the VR experience. Beyond these boundaries, the VR headset will revert to see-through mode to allow the user to be aware of their surroundings. Completing the immersion is an integrated high-fidelity speaker with a dual mic.
A 5,300mAh battery powers the PICO 4 standalone headset and supports 20W fast charging via the Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 protocol. This allows for about three hours of gameplay and fast charging of up to 70% within an hour. A smaller battery pack also allows for the 295g weight of the headset.
Pricing & Availability
The PICO 4 will be available in two variants: a 128GB version and a 256GB version. The 128GB version will set you back MYR1,699. The 256GB, on the other hand, will cost MYR1,999. Early birds who place their order between the 12th and 16th of October will receive an MYR100 discount. Purchases made between now and January 2023 will also receive four free VR games.
The PICO 4 will be available starting from 12th October 2022 onwards. You’ll be able to get your own from the official PICO Stores on Lazada, Shopee and TikTok Shop. It will also be available from PICO’s official retail partners Impulse Gaming, Thunder Match and Urban Republic. If you want to try out the headset, you can get a personal hands-on experience at the PICO roadshow happening at Sunway Pyramid’s Orange Concourse from the 13th to the 16th of October.
