Spatial computing gets more powerful (and comfortable) with M5 Vision Pro

Apple launched the M5 Vision Pro on Wednesday, bumping the impressive headset up from the years-old M2 processor. The punchier M5 processor boosts the headset’s video resolution and refresh rate for a clearer, sharper image.

The updated Vision Pro is “setting a new standard for what’s possible in spatial computing,” said Apple Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Bob Borchers in Apple’s press release. “Spatial computing is even more capable, entertaining, and magical with the new Vision Pro.”

The M5 isn’t the only upgrade, either. A new Dual Knit Band elegantly adds comfort and style to the headset. And as icing on the cake, the M5 Vision Pro boasts noticeably improved battery life. 

The M5 Vision Pro starts at the same high price of $3,499 with 256GB of storage. It’s available for preorder today, with deliveries and in-store availability beginning on October 22. 

Apple launches M5 Vision Pro 

Apple introduced the Vision Pro headset in June 2023 at WWDC, the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference. Unlike virtual reality headsets, it keeps you immersed in your surroundings — mixed reality (aka XR). Passthrough video shows you the world around you; apps and games float in virtual windows. 

Unlike other headsets, the Vision Pro isn’t strictly focused on gaming; Apple calls it a “spatial computer.” It runs Apple apps like Safari, Mail, Messages, Music, Photos and Notes, all optimized for its special user interface. Apple also produces immersive 3D content, available in the TV app. These documentary films are shot with special cameras that capture a full 180 degrees, so the video takes up your entire field of view in lifelike high resolution and full 3D. 

The Vision Pro is highly impressive, although its equally high price has limited adoption and interest. 

Upgraded with more powerful specs

The original Vision Pro packed highly advanced hardware, and the updated model pushes the technological boundaries even further. The custom R1 chip, unchanged from the prior revision, “processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, and streams new images to the displays within 12 milliseconds to create a real-time view of the world,” according to Apple. 

Apple’s M5 chip, also introduced today, powers the apps and games you use. It’s built on the latest third-generation three-nanometer technology, and features a 10-core CPU. Its 10-core GPU comes with built-in neural accelerators in every core and adds “hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading,” according to the press release. 

Better pass-through video performance

With the extra power, the Vision Pro’s twin displays render “10 percent more pixels on the custom micro-OLED displays compared to the previous generation, resulting in a sharper image with crisper text and more detailed visuals,” Apple said. The upgraded headset also benefits from a boosted frame rate “up to 120Hz for reduced motion blur when users look at their physical surroundings.” Fuzzy passthrough video with a lot of motion blur was a common complaint with the original model. 

The much-improved Neural Engine speeds up the process of creating a virtual Persona for the headset or converting 2D photos into Spatial Scenes. It also speeds up other system features by up to 50%, Apple said, and third-party apps might see a 2x performance increase. 

For those who use their Vision Pro as a display on the go, the new model promises “an even smoother experience when using Mac Virtual Display,” thanks to the increases in resolution and frame rate. 

Battery life also increased. The original model claimed two hours of battery life; the new model promises 2.5 hours of mixed usage and three hours of video playback. It’s a modest but much-needed bump.

The new Dual Knit Band

The M5 Vision Pro ships with a single head strap in the box, the Dual Knit Band.

The original Vision Pro shipped with two different strap options in the box. The Solo Knit Band was stretchy, easy to put on and adjust, and looked really cool, but wasn’t very comfortable. The Dual Loop Band had a top strap design, but its Velcro system was a bit fiddly. 

The new Dual Knit Band combines the best of both worlds. It’s easy to put on and take off, while seamlessly integrating an adjustable top band. You simply spin the Fit Dial to loosen or tighten the back; pop it out, and you can adjust the upper band. 

Featuring visionOS 26 and Apple’s immersive content library

The new M5 Vision Pro runs on visionOS 26 (also available as an update to the prior model). The update adds widgets to your real environment, an immersive Jupiter virtual environment, native playback of 180-degree and 360-degree video and much more. 

Apple’s slowly growing library of immersive content includes hours of concerts, documentaries, short films and soon, sports. Spectrum SportsNet subscribers in the Los Angeles area will be able to watch Lakers games live in immersive court-side video. From the TV app, users can find blockbuster movies available in 3D, such as Superman, How to Train Your Dragon, Jurassic World Rebirth, Wicked and more. Apple also said “new titles from the Audi F1 Project, the BBC, HYBE, and Red Bull will launch in Apple Immersive in the coming months.”

Apple also said the Vision Pro app is coming to iPad as well. The app notifies users of new available content, and lets them remotely download apps to their headsets.

According to the press release, there are now more than 3,000 apps natively built for visionOS. More than 1 million iPhone and iPad apps can run in compatibility mode on the Vision Pro. 

Apps and games for the platform can now use third-party accessories such as the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller for precise gaming and Logitech Muse for 3D pen input. 

Apple’s M5 Vision Pro launch: Still a pricey proposition 

At launch, the new M5 Vision Pro still carries a high price tag of $3,499 for the entry-level model with 256GB of storage. Higher capacity options are available, too: $3,699 gets you 512GB. And you’ll shell out $3,899 for 1TB.

In the box, you now get the new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W max output. Other items include the Vision Pro itself, the Dual Knit Band, the Light Seal, two Light Seal cushions, a front cover, an external battery pack and a polishing cloth.

Prescription optical inserts from Zeiss are available for $99. The Dual Knit Band is compatible with both versions of Apple Vision Pro, and is available to purchase separately for $99. Apple’s Travel Case is also available for $199.

You can preorder the new M5 Vision Pro today. Deliveries and in-store availability will begin on October 22.