Compare Pico 4 Ultra vs Valve Steam Frame
In this technical comparison between the Pico 4 Ultra and the Valve Steam Frame, we analyze the key features to help you choose.
The display is a highlight, featuring a resolution of 2160 × 2160 per eye (4K+ total) for the 4 Ultra versus 2160 × 2160 per eye for the Steam Frame.
Choosing between these two VR Headsets models often comes down to your budget, with prices around $599 USD / €549 and Estimated $599 – $899 USD.
| Specifications |
Pico 4 Ultra |
Valve Steam Frame |
|---|---|---|
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|
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| Launch | ||
| Version | September 2024 | 2026 |
| Display | ||
| Type | Dual 2.56-inch LCD Panels | Dual LCD Panels (RGB Stripe) |
| Resolution | 2160 × 2160 per eye (4K+ total) | 2160 × 2160 per eye |
| Refresh rate | 72Hz / 90Hz | 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz (144Hz Experimental mode) |
| Field of view | 105° (Diagonal) | Up to 110° (Horizontal) |
| Brightness | Stepless adjustment; 1200 PPI | High-persistence LCD (specific nits TBD, optimized for clarity) |
| HDR | No | - |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Pancake Lenses (Reduced glare and thinner profile) | Custom Pancake Lenses (Edge-to-edge sharpness) |
| IPD adjustment | Motorized / Software-driven (58mm – 72mm) | Physical manual dial |
| Eye relief | Includes a glasses spacer; 20.6 PPD (Pixels Per Degree) | Adjustable (fits glasses up to 140mm wide) |
| Tracking & Input | ||
| Tracking type | 6-DOF Inside-out via 4 environment cameras | 6-DOF Inside-out (SLAM) |
| Controller tracking | Ringless 6-DOF controllers (IMU + Infrared) | Tracked via 4 outward-facing monochrome cameras |
| Hand tracking | Yes (26-point skeletal tracking) | Supported (via expansion or software update; focus is on controllers) |
| Eye tracking | No | Yes (2 interior cameras); enables Foveated Streaming |
| Facial tracking | No | Optional (Supported via front expansion port) |
| Performance | ||
| Processor / Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm ARM64) |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR5 | 16GB Unified LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB (UFS 3.1) | 256GB or 1TB UFS (plus MicroSD slot for expansion) |
| Mixed Reality Features | ||
| Passthrough | Dual 32MP Color Cameras (8MP effective rendering) | Monochrome (Grayscale) via 4 tracking cameras (1280× 1024) |
| Depth sensing | Built-in iToF Depth Sensor for environmental mapping | Software-based (Expansion port allows for hardware depth modules) |
| Audio | ||
| Built-in audio | Dual stereo speakers with Spatial Audio support | Dual stereo drivers per ear (Extra-fidelity, vibration-canceling) |
| 3.5mm jack | No (USB-C or Bluetooth only) | Yes |
| Mic | 4-microphone array | Dual microphone array |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired | USB-C (supports data and charging) | USB-C 2.0 (Rear-mounted for charging/data) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Wi-Fi 7 (Dual-radio 5GHz/6GHz for simultaneous internet /streaming) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 (Dedicated 2.4GHz link for controllers) |
| PCVR support | Yes (via PICO Connect or Virtual Desktop; supports ultra-low latency streaming) | Yes (Includes a 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E USB Adapter for low-latency direct link) |
| Compatibility | ||
| Platforms | PICO Store, SteamVR (via PC), YouTube VR | Steam, SteamVR, Standalone SteamOS |
| Supported OS | PICO OS 5.0 (based on Android 14) | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based Linux); runs Windows games via Proton/FEX-Emu |
| Comfort | ||
| Weight | 580g (Total balanced weight); Front-end is only 304g | 185g (Core module) / 440g (Total with battery strap) |
| Strap type | Rigid strap with rear-mounted battery and adjustment dial | Padded retractable strap with rear-mounted battery (counterbalanced) |
| Face interface | Breathable fabric/PU foam; magnetic attachment | Fabric/Plastic hybrid (replaceable) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Approx. 2.5 - 3 hours | ~2–3 hours (Standalone) / ~4–5 hours (PC Streaming) |
| Charging method | USB-C (45W Fast Charging supported; QC 4.0 / PD 3.0) | USB-C (45W Fast Charging supported) |
| External battery support | Yes, compatible with third-party battery straps (like BoboVR) | Supported via USB-C |
| Misc | ||
| Inside the box | Headset, 2x Controllers, 4x AA Batteries, Glasses Spacer, USB-C Cable, Face Foam, Manuals | Headset, 2x Steam Frame Controllers, 6GHz Wireless Adapter, 45W Charger, USB-C Cable |
| Price | $599 USD / €549 | Estimated $599 – $899 USD |
| Full Details | 4 Ultra - Full Specifications | Steam Frame - Full Specifications |