Apple has launched the Apple Vision Pro with the M5 chip, offering faster performance, sharper visuals, and improved battery life. The headset includes a redesigned Dual Knit Band for comfort and runs on visionOS 26, featuring enhanced spatial experiences, widgets, and Apple Intelligence tools with support for more languages.
Apple Vision Pro: Performance and M5 Chip
The M5 chip, built on third-generation 3nm technology, features a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, enabling detailed lighting and reflections in apps such as Control.
Vision Pro now renders 10% more pixels, supports refresh rates up to 120Hz, and delivers faster app launches and smoother web browsing. The R1 chip processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, streaming images to the display in 12 milliseconds.
Battery life extends to 2.5 hours of general use or 3 hours of video playback, with the option to connect to power for longer sessions. The 16-core Neural Engine accelerates AI tasks by 50% for system features and 2x for third-party apps. Developers use Apple’s Foundation Models framework to build spatial AI applications like JigSpace, which interprets complex 3D data interactively.
Design and Dual Knit Band
The Dual Knit Band has a 3D-knitted dual-rib structure for cushioning, stretch, and breathability. Tungsten inserts in the lower strap provide counterweight for balance. The dual-function Fit Dial allows precise adjustment. Available in small, medium, and large, it is compatible with earlier Vision Pro models and sized via the Apple Store app.
visionOS 26 and Spatial Features
visionOS 26 adds persistent widgets, upgraded Personas, and spatial scenes using generative AI. The system supports 180°, 360°, and wide field-of-view video playback from action cameras, viewable in Safari or Vimeo.
Later this year, iPadOS 26.1 will bring the Apple Vision Pro app to iPad for content discovery, app queuing, and usage guidance.
Apps, Content, and Games
Apple Vision Pro supports over 1 million apps, including 3,000 visionOS-specific apps. Users can design homes with HomeByMe and Lowe’s Style Studio, explore fashion with Balenciaga, and view art through Christie’s Select and Art Authority Museum.
Entertainment includes Apple TV 3D movies (Superman, Jurassic World Rebirth, How to Train Your Dragon, Wicked) and Apple Immersive content, including upcoming NBA games and new releases from BBC, HYBE, Audi F1 Project, and Red Bull.
Spatial gaming leverages high-resolution displays, Spatial Audio, and low-latency controls. Games like Porta Nubi, Glassbreakers, Elu Legend, Pickle Pro, Ping Pong Club, and Spatial Rifts support advanced motion tracking and tactile feedback.
Professional and Enterprise Use
Vision Pro supports professional workflows. Artists can draw with Crayon, photographers edit in Pixelmator via Mac Virtual Display, and filmmakers review spatial videos. Presentations can be rehearsed in 3D replicas of Steve Jobs Theater using Keynote.
Enterprises use Vision Pro for specialized tasks: CAE for flight simulations, Porsche for vehicle previews, and Visage Imaging for 3D medical imaging at UC San Diego Health.
Environmental Responsibility
As part of Apple 2030, Vision Pro uses 100% recycled aluminum, rare earth elements, and cobalt, with fully recyclable fiber-based packaging. It meets Apple’s energy-efficiency and material safety standards.
Pricing and Availability
Apple Vision Pro with M5 chip and Dual Knit Band starts at USD 3,499 (Rs. 3,07,120 approx.), available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
- Pre-orders are open in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, UAE, UK, and the U.S., with China mainland and Singapore starting October 17. Retail sales begin October 22, with South Korea and Taiwan to follow later.
- Included accessories: Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, Apple Vision Pro Cover, Polishing Cloth, Battery, USB-C Charge Cable, and 40W Dynamic Power Adapter.
- The Dual Knit Band is sold separately for USD 99 (Rs. 8,689 approx.), and the Travel Case costs USD 199 (Rs. 17,467 approx.).
Speaking about the launch, Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said:
With the breakthrough performance of M5, the latest Apple Vision Pro delivers faster performance, sharper visuals throughout the system, and even more battery life, setting a new standard for what’s possible in spatial computing. Paired with the comfortable Dual Knit Band, innovative features in visionOS 26, and all-new Apple Immersive experiences spanning adventure, documentary, music, and sports, spatial computing is even more capable, entertaining, and magical with the new Vision Pro.