It doesn’t redefine spatial computing — it sharpens it.
Apple’s Vision Pro has never been short on ambition. When it debuted in early 2024, the headset positioned itself as a category-defining piece of hardware: a high-performance, high-cost gateway into what Apple calls spatial computing. That vision came with compromises, including a limited app ecosystem, a bulky form factor, and a steep $3,500 launch price.
Nearly two years later, Apple delivers its first major evolution of the platform with the Apple Vision Pro powered by the M5 chip. Rather than reimagining the experience from the ground up, this update focuses on refinement — offering stronger performance, improved comfort, and a clearer signal of Apple’s long-term intentions in mixed reality.
The most significant changes are found inside the device. The original Vision Pro shipped with the M2 chip, but the new model takes a generational leap with Apple’s M5 silicon, built using third-generation 3-nanometer technology — currently the most advanced semiconductor process available. The same chip has already made its way into Apple’s latest MacBook Pro and iPad lineups.
With a 10-core CPU and a next-generation 10-core GPU, the M5 delivers noticeable gains in speed, responsiveness, and multitasking. It also introduces support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, enabling more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in immersive environments. In practice, the performance is impressive, though much of this potential remains underutilized. For now, these upgrades feel like an open invitation to developers, as relatively few apps fully take advantage of the new hardware.
From a design perspective, Apple has made only one notable external change: a new dual-loop head strap aimed at addressing comfort concerns raised by first-generation users. This update is especially important given that the M5-powered Vision Pro is actually heavier than its predecessor, weighing roughly 150 grams more.
The new strap uses two breathable mesh bands, with the lower strap featuring flexible tungsten ribs that act as a counterbalance. The result is improved weight distribution, stability, and comfort during use. While it doesn’t make the headset feel lightweight — the Vision Pro with M5 still weighs around 800 grams (1.75 pounds) — the redesign makes a clear difference, particularly during longer sessions.
Out of the box, the headset runs visionOS 26, Apple’s latest operating system for spatial computing. Apple claims compatibility with over one million apps, though most of these were not originally designed or fully optimized for the Vision Pro. Users also have access to thousands of movies and TV shows through Apple TV, as well as spatial content from platforms like Disney+, which continues to expand its mixed-reality offerings.
Apple’s own immersive content remains among the best experiences available on the Vision Pro. That said, the library is still relatively small — compact enough to explore in under a week, leaving you wanting more. If you get the chance, don’t skip anything featuring dinosaurs or underwater environments.
In short, the Apple Vision Pro with M5 represents exactly the kind of evolution you would expect from Apple. It doesn’t attempt to redefine spatial computing; it simply makes it better. If you were waiting for a version that feels more like a finished product than an early prototype, this is the one to get.
The Apple Vision Pro with M5 is available now online and in Apple Stores, offered in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations, with pricing starting at £3,199 / $3,499.
