Apple has introduced a major new version of its spatial computing headset, the Vision Pro, now powered by the advanced M5 chip and featuring a redesigned Dual Knit Band that delivers enhanced comfort, balance, and long-term wearability. The upgrade brings measurable gains in performance, display clarity, and energy efficiency, while integrating visionOS 26 with expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities and new immersive experiences that further establish the headset’s position as the most advanced wearable computing platform on the market.
As confirmed in Apple’s official newsroom announcement, the new Apple Vision Pro marks one of the most substantial hardware transitions since the product’s debut. Apple has reengineered both silicon and ergonomics to create a device that not only runs faster but feels lighter, cooler, and more natural to use for extended periods. This combination of raw power, thermal efficiency, and design refinement sets a new benchmark for mixed reality devices.
M5 chip transforms spatial computing performance
At the core of the upgrade is the M5 chip, Apple’s most powerful processor to date, built on a third-generation 3-nanometer architecture. With a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, the M5 chip delivers smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and improved real-time responsiveness across all experiences. Developers gain access to advanced GPU features such as hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, which make lighting, reflections, and textures in games and apps appear more realistic than before. The upgrade represents a significant leap from the M2-powered Vision Pro, enabling users to experience higher fidelity in complex 3D rendering, Apple Intelligence interactions, and productivity workflows.
Refined display and responsiveness for more immersive visuals
The device’s micro-OLED displays now render 10 percent more pixels than the previous model, producing sharper text, greater depth, and higher contrast across environments. Motion clarity has been enhanced through a 120Hz refresh rate, minimizing blur during head movements or when transitioning between real and virtual spaces. The dedicated R1 coprocessor continues to manage input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, refreshing imagery every 12 milliseconds to maintain the fluid, real-time responsiveness that defines Vision Pro’s experience.
Efficiency and battery life improvements
The upgraded Vision Pro with the M5 chip offers up to two and a half hours of general use and up to three hours of continuous video playback on a single charge, sustaining full brightness and frame rates throughout. Apple’s refined power management system allows the headset to perform demanding spatial tasks efficiently while maintaining thermal balance. For extended sessions, the external battery can remain connected to power, allowing users to move seamlessly between home, office, and travel without downtime.
The M5’s 16-core Neural Engine also boosts Apple Intelligence performance across visionOS 26. Features like Persona creation, spatial photo rendering, and intelligent content summarization now run up to 50 percent faster. Third-party developers benefit from double the AI throughput compared to the previous generation, opening the door for richer, more dynamic spatial experiences. Apps like JigSpace already use Apple’s Foundation Models framework to translate complex data into natural-language 3D visualizations that make learning and collaboration more intuitive.
Design and comfort improvements with the Dual Knit Band
With this alignment of power and usability, Apple has positioned the new Vision Pro as a long-term wearable computing platform that combines precision, comfort, and intelligence. The Dual Knit Band represents a major ergonomic redesign. Made from a single piece of 3D-knitted material, it incorporates upper and lower straps into a breathable, flexible dual-rib structure. The lower strap includes tungsten-reinforced fabric ribs that balance the headset’s weight, reducing fatigue during long sessions. A new dual-function Fit Dial enables subtle, precise adjustments for stability, making the Vision Pro more comfortable to wear over extended periods. The band is available separately for $99, offered in multiple sizes, and is compatible with the earlier Vision Pro model.
visionOS 26 adds new layers of intelligence
The new Vision Pro ships with visionOS 26 which introduces a range of enhancements that expand how users interact with digital content. Persistent widgets can now appear naturally within a user’s space, providing immediate access to tools like Weather, Music, Photos, and ChatGPT. Enhanced Personas offer more realistic video calls in FaceTime, while spatial scenes powered by generative AI add depth to personal photos, turning memories into lifelike 3D environments. Users can view 180-degree and 360-degree video captured on popular action cameras, with playback supported through Safari, Vimeo, and other immersive apps.
Immersive gaming comes into focus
Gaming also receives a major boost with the M5 chip and the new GPU. Vision Pro now supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, which allows developers to render scenes with detailed shadows and reflections. Games such as Control, Spatial Rifts, Pickle Pro, and Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss showcase these enhancements.
The headset’s ultra-high-resolution displays and Spatial Audio system create an engaging experience across console, PC, and native Vision Pro titles. With support for popular controllers like Sony DualSense and the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller, users can enjoy low-latency motion tracking, finger touch detection, and haptic feedback that make gameplay more tactile and immersive. This compatibility brings Vision Pro closer to the experience of traditional gaming platforms while retaining the depth and presence of spatial computing.
Expanding creative and professional workflows
Apple’s ecosystem of apps continues to expand for Vision Pro as more than one million compatible apps are available, including over 3,000 designed specifically for visionOS. Professionals can use Crayon, doppl, and Sketch Pro with the Logitech Muse stylus to design and prototype in 3D, while photographers can edit color-accurate images through Pixelmator on Mac Virtual Display. Filmmakers can scout locations or rehearse presentations in detailed environments like the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. Enterprises such as Porsche and CAE are using Vision Pro for design visualization and pilot training, and hospitals including UC San Diego Health are deploying it for high-precision medical imaging through Visage.
Pricing and availability
Pricing for the M5-powered Apple Vision Pro starts at $3,499, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations. Pre-orders are open in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, with availability beginning October 22. China and Singapore open pre-orders on October 17, followed by South Korea and Taiwan later this year. Each package includes the Dual Knit Band, Light Seal, two cushions, front cover, polishing cloth, battery, USB-C cable, and a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter. Logitech Muse retails for $129.95, while ZEISS Optical Inserts begin at $99. Customers can add AppleCare+ or AppleCare One for additional protection, including accidental damage, theft, and loss coverage with 24/7 support.
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