Apple Upgrades Vision Pro with M5 Chip but Keeps Premium Price Tag Apple has unveiled a new version of its Vision Pro headset, now powered by the companys latest M5 chip. This is the same silicon that will drive the newest iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models. The first generation headset used the M2 chip, so this upgrade promises faster performance and expanded capabilities. Despite the internal overhaul, the starting price remains firmly set at three thousand four hundred ninety nine dollars for the model with two hundred fifty six gigabytes of storage. The headset does now include a Dual Knit Band by default, which features a top strap designed to improve comfort and security. Current Vision Pro owners can purchase this band separately for ninety nine dollars. According to Apple, users can expect the M5 Vision Pro to be significantly faster across all tasks, from launching applications to general web browsing. The new chip includes a ten core GPU with enhanced hardware accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. Apple states this will allow developers to add much more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in games. The company also claims the headset now renders ten percent more pixels on its micro OLED displays, which should result in a noticeably sharper image. Battery life has also seen a modest improvement. Apple says the updated Vision Pro can last for up to two and a half hours of typical use, and up to three hours for video playback. The previous model was rated for two hours of general use and two and a half hours of video watching. This announcement aligns with recent reports indicating Apple was preparing another wave of product launches. It was reported that the new iPad Pro and this Vision Pro revision were already in mass production. Apple was originally believed to be developing a lighter and more affordable version of the Vision Pro headset. However, reports suggest the company has shifted its strategy. The team working on that cheaper model was reportedly reassigned to focus on the development of smart glasses. Apple is now said to be working on two different types of smart glasses. One model would have no display of its own and would function as an accessory for the iPhone. A second, more advanced model would include a built in screen, putting it in direct competition with similar products from other tech giants. The non display glasses are reportedly targeted for a 2027 release, with the model featuring a screen following in 2028. The original Vision Pro was reviewed as a flawed but ambitious product, packing everything Apple learned from its other devices into a single spatial computing package. This M5 revision does not fundamentally change that assessment. The core experience remains largely the same, and the high entry price continues to be a significant barrier for most consumers. Without a richer library of dedicated spatial apps and content, or a more attractive price point, the Vision Pro still feels more like an advanced developer kit than a mainstream consumer device. The M5 Vision Pro is available for pre order now at its original price of three thousand four hundred ninety nine dollars, with shipments scheduled to begin on October twenty second.
