[Mania] Chinese-made VR Pico 4, Removing Prejudice... Clear and Lightweight

4K+ Resolution High and Not Dizzying
Loose Fit for Full-Body Activity, Tightness Causes Discomfort
Safety Concerns for Older Adults "Too Tight May Cause Injury"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok]

"I don't think I would be bored playing alone. It would probably be fun with friends too. Since the game mainly involves simple activities, I might get bored quickly." - User A, in their 30s

"If the space is narrow, I might get hurt. Since I have to hit approaching enemies, it could be dangerous if there are walls. I should only play games while sitting down." - User B, in their 60s

These are impressions of the ‘Pico 4’ made by Chinese virtual reality (VR) headset company Pico, tried during the Lunar New Year holiday. Even older users who were using a VR headset for the first time found it easy to operate and did not feel discomfort in their field of view. Some suggested that since intense games could cause injury, it would be better to play seated in a spacious, wall-free area. Another attractive point was that noise does not occur as long as users do not shout excessively.

Pico 4 headset appearance. The size can be adjusted by the dial on the top of the headset. It can be tightened enough so that it does not slip off unless you play intense games.
[Photo by Moon Chae-seok]

The biggest feature of the Pico 4 is that it is easy for beginners to use. It consists of a headset and two controllers. Turning on the power on the right side of the headset allows even beginners to operate it easily. Turning the dial on top of the headset adjusts the size simply.

Although it is easy to use, some dizziness?a weakness of VR devices?was felt to some extent. Even though the headset was tightened uncomfortably, after about 30 minutes of intense gaming, the looseness caused blurred vision and dizziness twice.

The Pico VR headset is famous for being lightweight. Users unanimously said, "It is definitely light." Pico explained that the main unit weighs 295g. There was no discomfort such as being unable to play games due to heaviness.

The screen was definitely clear. Although dizziness might occur if the operation is clumsy, anyone could say "the image quality is good" if the headset is firmly fixed. Pico introduced it as having "4K+ resolution and 1200ppi for high clarity." It is equipped with the US Qualcomm 'Snapdragon XR2' processor, enhancing CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) performance.

Pico 4 headset and controllers. The controllers were comfortable enough not to slip from the hands even when sweaty.
Photo by Moon Chae-seok

I tried a game where I defeated enemies in the city. There was no sense of alienation that it was too far from reality. There were no cases where punches flew slowly or energy was unfairly reduced because the controller did not respond. Although I do not have much experience with VR games, it felt more realistic than VR rides I have tried. As Pico explained, with a refresh rate of 90Hz and a field of view of 105 degrees, I felt the gameplay was ‘smooth’ throughout.

Pico is a latecomer to Meta. There are about 180 games in the 'Pico Store,' but some say this is fewer than competitors’ products. This is an area to improve from a business perspective. However, judging by the device alone, it felt enjoyable enough for beginners to use at home?if only the prejudice against it being ‘Made in China’ could be removed.