Pico 4 vs Meta Quest 3: The ultimate comparison of VR headsets

Virtual reality (VR) is developing rapidly and opening up immersive possibilities for gaming, entertainment and more. Two of the leading players in the VR world are the Pico 4 and the brand new Meta Quest 3. Both offer impressive features and smart technologies – but which headset comes out on top? In this blog post, we compare the two VR headsets in detail and give you a clear guide for your purchase decision.

Hardware and design

Hardware and design play a decisive role in the selection of a VR headset. This shows how ergonomic and powerful the devices are.

Criterion	Pico 4	Meta Quest 3
Display technology	LCD with 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye	OLED with 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
Weight	586 g	509 g
Tracking	Inside-Out (6DOF)	Inside-Out (6DOF) with more advanced cameras

The Pico 4 focuses on low latency and high image quality, while the Meta Quest 3 offers more power and better processing speed thanks to the newer Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. The weight difference may seem small, but the Quest 3 wins in terms of comfort due to its lighter design and optimized center of gravity.

Display and graphics performance

Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the virtual world attaches great importance to a brilliant display and smooth graphics. Both headsets are well positioned here.

The Pico 4 uses LCD panels with a resolution of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye. This ensures a sharp image and minimizes the fly screen effect. The refresh rate is 90 Hz, which ensures a smooth viewing experience.

With its OLED displays, the Meta Quest 3 offers slightly higher contrast and more vivid colors. With a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye and an equally high refresh rate, the graphics performance is almost identical, but the Quest 3 impresses with its OLED technology, which particularly shines in dark scenes.

Comfort and ergonomics

Both manufacturers have made significant progress in terms of comfort. The Pico 4 stands out with its slim design and balanced weight distribution. Foam padding ensures a pleasant feeling, even during longer sessions.

The Meta Quest 3 has also become more ergonomic. A revised headband and a lighter design make them even more comfortable to wear. The extended adaptability for both head sizes and pupil distances (IPD) is a particular plus point.

Content and software libraries

A VR headset is only as good as the content that is available on it. The differences between the two devices lie primarily in the accessible libraries and ecosystems.

• Pico 4: The Pico 4 is designed as a standalone VR headset and offers access to the Pico Store, which provides a wide range of apps and games. SteamVR is also supported, which makes the Pico 4 particularly attractive for PC VR gamers. However, the selection in the Pico Store is still relatively limited compared to the competition.
• Meta Quest 3: Thanks to the extensive Meta Quest Store library, the Quest 3 has a clear advantage. The selection of games, fitness apps and social experiences is wider and satisfies many users. You also benefit from exclusive Meta titles such as Beat Saber and Horizon Worlds.

Both headsets can be combined with a powerful PC to access games and apps outside the respective store ecosystems. The Meta Quest 3 has a more stable Air-Link system for wireless PC VR streaming.

Mixed reality functions

An exciting further development of both devices are the mixed reality functions, which take the VR experience to a new level. While the Pico 4 already offers basic augmented reality (AR) possibilities thanks to color pass-through cameras, the Meta Quest 3 scores with high-resolution pass-through and enhanced mixed reality experiences. This allows users to overlay their physical environment with virtual content more precisely, which is useful for architectural visualizations or interactive games, for example.

Price-performance ratio

The price is often a decisive factor in the purchase decision. There are differences between the appliances here:

• Pico 4: The Pico 4 is generally cheaper and offers an attractive price-performance ratio, especially for beginners.
• Meta Quest 3: The price of Quest 3 is higher, but in return you get access to an established platform with a large community, more content and technically more advanced hardware.

The question of which device fits your budget better depends on which features are important to you and whether you are prepared to invest more for additional functions and content.

Comparison: Pico 4 vs Meta Quest 3 – Which headset is best for which user?

Finally, many consumers ask themselves which headset is the right one for their personal use case. Here is a little orientation:

• Pico 4: Ideal for price-conscious buyers looking to access SteamVR and enjoy basic VR experiences.
• Meta Quest 3: Perfect for tech-savvy users who value more advanced mixed reality features, a huge game library and future-proof hardware.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do both headsets support SteamVR?

Yes, both the Pico 4 and the Meta Quest 3 support SteamVR, but the Meta Quest 3 requires the Oculus Link software.

Which headset is better for PC VR?

Both headsets work well with PC VR, but the Meta Quest 3’s more stable streaming capabilities give it a slight advantage here.

Can I use both headsets for fitness apps?

Yes, both headsets support well-known fitness apps such as Supernatural or FitXR. However, the Meta Quest 3 offers more options due to its wider selection of apps.

Are there accessories for the devices?

Extensive accessories such as additional head pads, carrying cases or controllers are available for both headsets. However, the Meta Quest 3 benefits from a wider range of accessories from third-party suppliers.

Conclusion

Both the Pico 4 and the Meta Quest 3 are impressive VR headsets that are suitable for different user groups. The Pico 4 impresses as a budget option with solid performance, while the Meta Quest 3 impresses with technical advances, a broad content library and mixed reality functionalities.

Before you make your decision, you should consider which features are most important to you and how much you are willing to invest. Regardless of which model you choose, we have the right headset for you to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of virtual reality! Discover the best deals in our store.