The new version of Apple Vision Pro adopts the M5 chip. Enhanced performance, extended battery life, and a more comfortable headband, all at a reduced price of 300 euros.
Apple appears determined to balance power and accessibility. With the M5 chip, it’s hard to envision a price lower than that of the version with the M2. Nevertheless, the new Vision Pro lowers the cost without compromise. The innovation feels smoother and more refined. This headset is focused on the essentials, set to be released on October 22.
The M5 chip drives the new Apple Vision Pro
The new Apple Vision Pro swaps the M2 chip for the M5, which is built on a 3-nanometer process. This ten-core processor, along with an equivalent GPU, significantly boosts system responsiveness. Applications launch almost instantly, and navigation becomes seamless.
The sixty-core Neural Engine accelerates artificial intelligence by 50%. The Personas appear almost instantaneously and look more lifelike during FaceTime calls.
Developers now have access to a broader canvas. Mesh shading and hardware ray tracing enhance shadows, reflections, and depth, making games like Control approach realism. The micro-OLED displays, now with 10% more precision, deliver stunningly sharp images.
Battery life reaches 2 hours and 30 minutes with mixed usage and three hours during video playback. Meanwhile, the refresh rate climbs to 120 Hz, making every movement appear natural and blur-free.
The R1 chip remains on duty, processing real-time data from twelve cameras and five sensors, with a minimal latency of 12 milliseconds.
In terms of comfort, the new dual-strap woven headband distributes weight more evenly. The 3D-stitched straps provide stable support.
Tungsten inserts balance the headset, and a fine dial adjusts the size. Three sizes — S, M, and L — will be available individually at a price of 115 euros and remain compatible with the previous model.
VisionOS 26 and the headset app strengthen the ecosystem
The new VisionOS 26 enhances the user experience. Widgets now integrate into the spatial environment and come back to life in every session.
Additionally, an Apple Vision Pro app is set to launch on iPad, centralizing downloads, tutorials, and content management. Apple Intelligence expands to new languages, featuring more efficient onboard models. The ecosystem now boasts over one million applications, including 3,000 dedicated to visionOS. Users can customize their virtual space with HomeByMe.
Moreover, Apple Immersive content is expanding. Concerts, documentaries, and NBA games gain intensity. In France, Apple TV now streams nearly 200 3D films, including Jurassic World.
In gaming, the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller is now compatible with the M5-powered Vision Pro, offering six degrees of freedom tracking. Steam Link and Portal facilitate connections between PCs and consoles.
Professionals are also utilizing the Vision Pro for design and modeling. For increased accuracy, Apple offers its Logitech Muse stylus for €139.95.
I personally appreciate Apple’s ecological effort with this Vision Pro headset equipped with the M5 chip. The aluminum is 100% recycled, as are the rare earth elements for the magnets and cobalt in the battery. The packaging is made entirely from recyclable fibers.
Pre-orders open today, with availability set for October 22 in France, Germany, and the United States. Apple Stores will feature demonstrations, along with a packaging set that includes the headband, battery, and USB-C cable.
