Apple upgrades its Vision Pro with an M5 chip for rendering 10% more pixels and a Dual Knit Band for a more comfortable fit, available on October 22 for $3,499+

The latest version improves performance, display rendering, battery life, and comfort, while offering innovative features …

Apple 2025-10-15

Context & Ripple Effects

Vision Pro launched with an M2-based configuration and multiple storage tiers in its initial preorder cycle. The new model follows the previously reported plan for a processor-and-strap refresh, rather than a lower-cost redesign.

A subsequent hands-on review highlighted sharper virtual-desktop visuals and improved comfort, reinforcing that the update targets the experience of using the existing premium headset more than a change in market positioning.

First-order effects

Apple keeps Vision Pro's $3,499 starting price while improving pixel rendering, battery life and fit, giving prospective buyers a more refined high-end option from October 22.
The M5 update aligns Vision Pro with Apple's broader M5 product rollout, which also included a 14-inch MacBook Pro refresh shipping the same day.

Second-order effects

Better rendering and a more comfortable band strengthen the headset's practical case for longer virtual-desktop sessions, an area the M5 review specifically identified as sharper.
By retaining the premium entry price, Apple leaves price-sensitive spatial-computing demand unaddressed; competitors can continue to differentiate on affordability while Apple emphasizes integration and hardware refinement.

Third-order effects

If Apple continues to update Vision Pro chiefly through its silicon cadence and ergonomic accessories, spatial computing may develop first as a premium, iterative hardware category rather than a mass-market device segment.
The combination of a maintained price floor and prior reports that a cheaper model was delayed suggests adoption will remain dependent on clearer high-value use cases, especially productivity, until product economics change.

The trend: Vision Pro is becoming part of Apple's recurring silicon-led hardware refresh cycle, with incremental performance and usability gains sustaining a premium spatial-computing strategy.

Discussion

@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
Dual-Knit Band should be free for OG Vision Pro buyers!
@aaronp613 Aaron on x
You can now book demos for the M5 Vision Pro, with the earliest appointments being October 22 [image]
@bzamayo Benjamin Mayo on x
$99 [image]
@sadlyitsbradley Brad Lynch on x
The M5 Vision Pro also advertises 30 minutes longer battery life over its previous model This is alongside the improvements to refresh rate and 10% higher resolution rendering being enabled with their foveated rendering (They have the same amount of pixels in their displays) [ima…
@sadlyitsbradley Brad Lynch on x
The new “Dual Knit Band” is 99 dollars Same price as buying the solo knit separately [image]
@kylebrussell Kyle Russell on x
Smart to build the Belkin top strap accessory into the Apple knit band
@m1astra @m1astra on x
The (new) dual-function Fit Dial lets you easily adjust the band's upper and lower straps independently for a comfortable, personalized fit. [video]
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
And here is a look at the iLife and iWork Liquid Glass icons for macOS Tahoe 26. They look just like the iOS 26 ones. Gone are the days of unique macOS app icons. Pixelmator only got a passing mention in the press release for the Apple Vision Pro (M5). [image]
@dylanmcd8 Dylan on x
Vision Pro 2 (well, more like 1.5) is here!! Very excited to try out this new band! [image]
@dylanmcd8 Dylan on x
The improved performance is nice, and needed, but no chance am I buying the new Vision Pro lol. I did get the Dual Knit Band though! [image]
@aaronp613 Aaron on x
BREAKING: The Apple Polishing Cloth to be compatible with the new M5 iPad Pro and M5 MacBook Pro! [image]
@vyyyper @vyyyper on x
Apple pricing this thing the same as the OG Vision Pro is an absolute fail IMO, but that M5 chip should open up some interesting possibilities for the NEW Vision Pro!
@aaronp613 Aaron on x
With M5, Vision Pro can increase the refresh rate up to 120Hz for reduced motion blur when users look at their physical surroundings, and an even smoother experience when using Mac Virtual Display. [video]
@spatiallyme Phil Traut on x
The all-new dual knit band seems to be compatible with the last generation Vision Pro. It actually looks very promising to me. Are you planning to get one? [image]
@neilcybart Neil Cybart on x
The changes coming to Apple Vision Pro because of M5: - Better battery life (+30 min for video - now 3 hrs) - Sharper images (10% more pixels on micro-OLEDs) - Reduced motion blur (refresh rate up to 120Hz) - Better performance (Spatial scenes 50% faster / Personas 40% faster) [i…
@sadlyitsbradley Brad Lynch on x
The M5 Vision Pro model now supports up to 120hz refresh rate for its Micro-OLED displays [image]
@tyrielwood @tyrielwood on x
Apple Just unveiled the new version of the Apple Vision Pro with an M5 chipset and a new strap. [video]
@ijustine @ijustine on x
I know this is something you have all been waiting for.. the Vision Pro just got an upgrade with an M5 chip and a more comfy head strap! [video]
@benbajarin Ben Bajarin on x
I get the sentiment that folks (developers in particular) were hoping for AVP at a lower price. But, there was little expectation of a lower price (yet) and even at $2000 + that is not a mainstream price point. This is also still an enteprise play, largely.
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
The new Apple Vision Pro (M5) follows the iPad naming scheme of putting the chip name after the product name. Also, the old Vision Pro is now Apple Vision Pro (M2). [image]
@spatiallyme Phil Traut on x
The Vision Pro is dead, long live the Vision Pro! Apple just announced the second-generation Vision Pro — available starting October 22 for $3,499. It features the new M5 chip and therefore a crisper, smoother image, improved battery life as well as performance and an all-new [im…
@brandonbutch Brandon Butch on x
Apple just announced the next Vision Pro with the M5 chip, a new Dual Knit Band, and more! The latest version improves performance, display rendering, battery life, and comfort, while offering innovative features with visionOS 26 and all-new spatial apps and Apple Immersive [imag…
@mgsiegler M.G. Siegler on x
The Y-Strap? [image]
@maxwinebach Max Weinbach on x
Just released Apple Vision Pro (M5)! - Moves from M2 to M5: 10-core CPU, next-gen GPU - Up to 120 Hz rendering; sharper text/crisper detail - Comfort: new dual knit band with integrated counterbalance $3,499; orders Oct 15; ships starting Oct 22 [image]
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
Most interesting part of Apple's announcements today besides the M5 and: the Dual Knit Band for Apple Vision (M5) [image]
@elkmovie Michael Love on bluesky
10% speed bump and the same price = they're going to sell like 9 of these, I'm not sure why they're bothering except that maybe they feel like they have to keep it sort-of alive until their glasses launch? [embedded post]
@viticci@mastodon.macstories.net @viticci@mastodon.macstories.net on mastodon
Also: — They literally did an official version of the custom “dual-knit” accessory for the Vision Pro from Etsy last year! https://www.macstories.net/... Also curious to check this out: https://www.apple.com/... [images]
r/apple r on reddit
Apple Vision Pro: New powerful M5 chip and comfortable band. Available starting 10.22
r/psvr2 r on reddit
VR2 Sense Controllers to be available separately November 11th
r/VisionPro r on reddit
Apple Vision Pro upgraded with the M5 chip and Dual Knit Band

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