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This article compares Pico 4 Enterprise vs Lynx R1, highlighting the most important differences between the two VR headsets. After reading this comparison, you can decide whether to opt for the Pico 4 Enterprise or go for the Lynx R1.
As standalone VR headsets, the Pico 4 Enterprise and the Lynx R1 feature their own processing and embedded tracking. Therefore, both devices run on the industry-standard Snapdragon XR2 chipset from Qualcomm, making VR apps and content optimized and running smoothly on each headset.
That being said, the Pico 4 Enterprise, with 8GB of RAM, has a slight edge over the Lynx R1, which has 6GB. Furthermore, the Pico 4 Enterprise can store more content, with 256GB of storage compared to the Lynx R1’s 128GB. However, the RAM difference is negligible for the majority of applications, rarely impacting real-life performance, while the storage difference can be supplemented on the Lynx R1 with an SD card.
Overall, performance is not a significant factor when choosing between these VR headsets.
This brings us to visual performance and the quality of immersion. The Lynx R1 is an excellent example of a VR headset that performs better than its specifications suggest.
Before we discuss why this is, let’s review the display specifications. The Lynx R1 features a dual LCD setup, with 1600 by 1600 pixels per eye within a visible field of view of 90°, a 90Hz smooth refresh rate. This provides a pixels per degree (PPD) of 17.78.
Comparably, the Pico 4 Enterprise also features dual LCDs, but with a higher resolution of 2160 by 2160 per eye, a wider field of view of 105°, and a 90Hz refresh rate, achieving a pixel density of 20.57 PPD.
Therefore, it is tempting to conclude that the Pico 4 Enterprise has better visual performance and immersion than the Lynx R1. However, the reality is more nuanced.
The reason for the Lynx R1’s better-than-expected visual performance partly lies in the uniquely designed lens called free-form 4-fold catadioptric. Although not the most brandable name, its peculiar four-sided design produces higher visual clarity and immersion than its resolution suggests on paper. However, the downside is that you can see the four seams where the lens parts meet when you squint, but they are generally not noticeable during regular use.
Secondly, while the Pico 4 Enterprise has a wider field of view and is theoretically more immersive, the Lynx R1 is primarily a mixed reality headset and secondarily a VR headset. This focus is reflected in the open design around the R1, which does not enclose the wearer as a typical VR headset would. In other words, the mixed reality experience on the R1 blends the world around the headset at the periphery of your vision, making the smaller 90° field of view insignificant.
To conclude, the Pico 4 Enterprise delivers a more immersive experience in virtual reality, while the Lynx R1 excels at mixed reality visual performance.
This leads us to the tracking features between the two devices.
A significant development that began in 2022 is the rise of mixed reality. Nearly all new and recently released VR headsets, from the Meta Quest Pro to the HTC Vive XR Elite, have incorporated mixed reality. The Pico 4 Enterprise and Lynx R1 are no exception. However, the Pico 4 Enterprise is primarily a VR headset with mixed reality functionalities, while the Lynx R1 is primarily an MR device. This priority is reflected in the stereoscopic video passthrough on the Lynx R1, which replicates how our eyes see the world and thus produces a more realistic mixed reality experience.
The improved mixed reality on the Lynx R1 is complemented by three exceptional features:
Therefore, the Lynx R1 is better at mixed reality, while the Pico 4 Enterprise is stacked with tracking features.
One of the significant benefits of the Pico 4 Enterprise is its extensive tracking features. The headset combines eye and face tracking with integrated hand tracking. Eye tracking offers several advantages, such as foveated rendering for improved visual performance and market research use cases, amongst many others. Additionally, face tracking enables the Pico 4 Enterprise to excel at remote meetings, as eye contact and facial expressions are portrayed using the VR headset.
In summary, the Lynx R1 is an excellent entry into mixed reality, particularly for design and development, while the Pico 4 Enterprise, with its array of tracking features, is an all-around great VR headset for businesses.
Next, let’s discuss the extra features offered by the two headsets, which come down to the software experience. First, the Pico 4 Enterprise is one of the few headsets with the ISO 27001 privacy and data security standard. This means enterprises can safely use the headset for sensitive information. Furthermore, the bespoke business platform, Pico Business Suite, is worth mentioning. This software platform is unique to enterprises and features an enterprise-specific VR app store, while also offering a proprietary Mobile Device Management solution, potentially alleviating the need for a third-party device management option.
In comparison, Lynx R1’s main sticking points are choice and privacy. Under the moniker of “Privacy by Design,” Lynx has made it a priority to open its API for enterprises to track aggregated data and deactivate any sensors when the headset is not in use. While the R1 is not certified by the ISO 27001 standard, its software, hardware, and app infrastructure are built with the EU data privacy directive GDPR in mind.
As a note, the Lynx R1 Pro version will add extra enterprise-dedicated support from the Lynx team, providing APIs for both hardware and software.
The Pico 4 Enterprise retails for €899, while the standard edition of the Lynx R1 costs $849. Therefore, there is a minor price difference between the two headsets.
Since the price difference is negligible, the choice between the Pico 4 Enterprise and waiting for the release of the Lynx R1 depends on your use case. If you need versatility and a powerful all-in-one VR headset, you cannot go wrong with the Pico 4 Enterprise. Its display performance is immersive, and its processing matches all VR apps you can find. Additionally, the Pico 4 Enterprise’s extensive tracking features make this headset an incredible value for its price point. In particular, eye tracking makes the headset compatible with foveated rendering and opens up numerous use cases for enterprises.
However, if you’re looking for one of the best mixed reality headsets, the Lynx R1 should be on your radar. Its unique open design, stability of hand tracking, and 3D object occlusion mean it produces better MR than other more expensive headsets. See below for more relevant comparisons.
Jakob Pii is the Head Writer at VR Expert and currently lives in the UK. He started his career in VR gaming in 2015 and has stayed in XR since, from exposure therapy in VR to 360-degree video documentaries. He is fascinated by how emerging technologies change how we live, play and work.
