Today is a big day for VR. Pico has just unveiled the Pico Neo 4, finally bringing an affordable headset to the masses. In today’s article I will inform you about all the specifications and features of the headset and that’s not all. After that, you’ll get a little hands-on report from me, because I was already allowed to test the Pico Neo 4 in a short demo for you. If you want to know why I can’t get my grin off my face just follow us along our amazing journey to try the Pico Neo 4. Here we go.

Pico Neo 4 Specifications:

Let’s first look at the inner values. With the XR2 processor and the high-resolution LED display, the headset offers a super all-round package for VR novices and gamers who want to upgrade from their old headsets. The high pixel density is really a feast for the eyes and the days of visible screen door effect are now completely over with the high pixel density of 1200 PPI. The Stepless IPD adjustment also has a positive effect on the gaming experience. Gamers get a clear picture due to the Stepless adjustment and possible eye pain is also avoided by this. With the fairly large battery charge of the headset, you’ll get around 2–3 hours of gaming time out of it and can also supply the headset with new juice pretty quickly thanks to the Quick Charge function. But now let’s get to the highlights.

The most important specifications for me are the weight and the price. The headset has lost a lot of weight due to the pancake lens slimming and now weighs just under 295 grams. As a result, the headset is now almost weightless on the head and no longer has this weight shift in the front area. And you get all that for a price of only 429 Euros for the 128 GB variant and 499 Euros for the headset with 256 GB storage. For me, this is one of the best price-performance ratios I have ever seen for a VR headset.

For me, the Pico Neo 4 is really a successful overall package and I already have it on my wish list. In the price segment of 429 euros — 499 euros, there is simply no headset that can keep up with it. The stable and comfortable head strap of the headset, the pancake lenses and the low weight already show us a glimpse of the future and clearly showed me how far other headsets/manufacturers still have to catch up in this area. Only VR enthusiasts who want the largest FOV and the highest resolution are left behind. There are other manufacturers for that, like Pimax or Varjo. But for all other VR gamers, the Pico Neo 4 is definitely worth a look.

Until now, the Quest 2 could claim the throne as “Best VR headset for newcomers and beginners”. But that is over today. The Pico Neo 4 easily takes the crown when it comes to an affordable headset for beginners. Especially for people who have not had any contact with virtual reality before, comfort, easy access and the price are the most important key points and the Pico Neo 4 convinces there with flying colors. The headset can also be worthwhile for PC VR players as an inexpensive entry point or as an upgrade, since the headset supports wireless PC VR. In my eyes, a successful overall package that will make many gamers happy.

Here comes the little icing on the cake. I was allowed to test the Pico Neo 4 briefly in advance and can share my first experiences with you. The headset is really comfortable to wear with its low weight and the times of neck pain after long gaming sessions are finally over. The controllers are also comfortable to hold and I didn’t have any problems getting used to the familiar button layout. The new tracking ring placement also reduces controller overlap when aiming two-handed weapons very well, and I no longer had the problem of banging the controllers together when reloading. Now let’s move on to the lenses and display. I was very pleasantly surprised. In the area of FOV, clarity and especially Godrays, the Pico Neo 4 is quite respectable. This is something I’ve often found to be a drawback with certain competing products, but it wasn’t a problem during the short demo with the Pico Neo 4. I had a great time with the headset and for me it will be a good upgrade from my Quest 2. If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts on the Pico Neo 4, feel free to leave a comment.

Pico Neo 4 Launch! was originally published in AR/VR Journey: Augmented & Virtual Reality Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.