Extended Reality isn’t just for consumers. Though AR and VR innovations were previously thought of mainly as tools for the entertainment and gaming landscape, perceptions are starting to change. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a rapid increase in companies embracing XR to empower collaborative experiences, boost team productivity, and enhance training.
To adapt to this uptick in demand from business leaders, XR vendors have begun releasing new “Enterprise XR” headsets, designed to go beyond the basics of consumer technology. Meta, one of the first companies to help VR go “mainstream”, introduced its Meta Quest Pro during the 2022 Meta Connect Event. Meanwhile, Pico Interactive, an existing leader in the enterprise XR space, has introduced the sensational new Pico 4 Enterprise.
So, which product comes out on top in the battle for enterprise XR?
Meta Quest Pro Features:
The Meta Quest Pro is the new flagship enterprise solution from the Meta team, offering a combination of VR functionality and MR passthrough. The solution is a more lightweight, and feature-rich version of the previous Meta Quest 2, with an enhanced Snapdragon XR2+ processor, pancake optics, and TruTouch haptic feedback.
Features include:
- Movement software development kits (SDKs)
- 75% higher contrast compared to the Quest 2
- Full-colour passthrough via Meta Presence
- Light partitions for fully immersive experiences
- TruTouch haptics
- Inward-facing cameras for hand, eye, and face tracking
- Pancake optics for clearer images
- Snapdragon XR2+ processor
- Stylus features for Pro controllers
Pico 4 Enterprise Features:
The Pico 4 Enterprise is a state-of-the-art standalone enterprise XR system, with a new pancake lens system, Qualcomm XR2 chip, and eye and face tracking. This innovative new hardware was introduced during the AWE event in October 2022. The solution comes with a phenomenal 4K display, controllers with 6-degrees of movement, and more.
Features include:
- 4k display at 1200 pixels per inch
- Ergonomically balanced form factor
- Pancake lenses with powerful visuals
- Qualcomm XR2 chip
- Controllers with 6 degrees of movement
- 3 hours of battery life
- 8GB of RAM
- 3 infrared cameras for facial tracking
Meta Quest Pro vs Pico 4 Enterprise: Comparing the Features
On the surface, the Meta Quest Pro and Pico 4 Enterprise have a lot in common. They’re both targeted at the “prosumer” market, and enterprise companies. They also both have their own pancake lens systems, and a more ergonomic structure than previous devices.
In terms of use cases, the Pico 4 Enterprise will have a range of unique features designed specifically for commercial applications, such as a kiosk mode which allows users to dive directly into a specific app, and a live streaming mode. There’s also built-in remote device management, and the potential for a powerful enterprise app store where users can access new functionality.
The Meta Quest Pro is more of a “prosumer” device, which means it will include various professional applications, as well as tools for individuals to use outside of collaborative work. Aside from a range of launch line-up applications, the Meta Quest Pro will also offer functionality with Microsoft apps like Office and Teams. There’s also support for tools like Adobe Acrobat.
Let’s take a closer look at how the two solutions compare.
Meta Quest Pro vs Pico 4 Enterprise: Processing Power
One major difference between the Quest Pro and Pico 4 Enterprise is the processor and chipset technology. The Quest Pro runs on the Snapdragon XR2+, which offers similar functionality to the Snapdragon XR2 found in the Pico Neo 3 Pro and HTC Vive Focus 3. This processor comes with a higher degree of RAM and more energy efficiency than its previous version, allowing it to run at higher speeds without overheating.
The Pico 4 Enterprise runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2, which has slightly lower processing power, but is still equipped with a phenomenal 8GB of RAM. Both solutions should offer users a fantastic level of processing speed and functionality.
Meta Quest Pro vs Pico 4 Enterprise: Visuals
Both Pico and Meta chose “pancake” lenses to reduce the weight of their devices from an ergonomic perspective. The two tools also have similar fields of view, comparable refresh rates, and automatic interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment components, for the clearest visuals possible.
However, the Meta Quest Pro does use QLED lenses with 500 local dimming zones, which allows for a higher level of contrast than the typical LCD lens used on the Pico 4 Pro. On the other hand, the Pico 4 Enterprise has a higher number of pixels per eye than the Meta Quest Pro, so you might get a more realistic 4k experience with this solution.
Meta Quest Pro vs Pico 4 Enterprise: Ergonomics
From an ergonomic user experience perspective, the Pico 4 Enterprise is quite a bit lighter than the Meta Quest Pro. However, the Meta device is still considered to be a lot more comfortable to wear than the Meta Quest 2. Both headsets also come with adjustment knob which allows users to tighten the device to the exact size of their head.
However, the Quest Pro also uses a halo-style strap with a secondary adjustment knob to help users calibrate exactly how far the lenses are from their face. This means users may enjoy a slightly higher level of comfort with the Quest Pro.
Meta Quest Pro vs Pico 4 Enterprise: Audio and Cameras
Both the Meta Quest Pro and the Pico 4 Enterprise include high-quality built-in stereo audio. The solutions each come with exceptional full sound ranges, so users can leverage a phenomenal immersive experience. Meta also has 2 headphone jacks included in its device, which can allow for the connection of compatible earphones.
As for cameras, the Pico 4 Enterprise ahs 3 infrared cameras for face and eye-tracking, while the Meta Quest Pro has a total of 5. The Meta Quest Pro also supports foveated rendering, which could help with the management of bandwidth usage.
Meta Quest Pro vs Pico 4 Enterprise: Tracking
Both the Pico and Meta devices come with five external cameras, one for RGB color passthrough, and four for tracking purposes. The color passthrough should be excellent on both solutions, and provide users with an option to create more immersive mixed reality experience.
The Quest Pro also comes with three SLAM cameras and a Snapdragon chip placed in each Quest Touch Pro controller, so they can convey their position more easily to the headset. This allows for a much higher accuracy than users would get with typical controllers. However, Pico did design its controllers with a one-piece rotating arc column and a design which empowers users to move their hands closer together easily, with hit detection protection.
Meta Quest Pro vs Pico 4 Enterprise: Verdict
The Meta Quest Pro and Pico 4 Enterprise have a lot in common. The Pico 4 Enterprise is one of the most powerful tools set to hit the market for enterprise users, with a phenomenal level of visual clarity, and great processing power. It’s more lightweight and comfortable than the Quest Pro, and it has a longer potential battery life too.
Alternatively, the Meta Quest Pro could have a stronger color passthrough experience, more innovative tracking tools, and access to a wider range of built-in application connections for the enterprise landscape.
