Apple's Vision Pro with the M5 chip is assembled in Vietnam, according to labels on its packaging; the M2-based model, launched in 2024, was built in China
Apple Inc.'s new Vision Pro headset doesn't offer much in the way of fresh features, but the company made a notable change to its production.
Bloomberg
Context & Ripple Effects
The M5 refresh follows reporting that Apple was prioritizing an incremental headset update while a lower-cost model was delayed beyond 2027. Earlier coverage had anticipated an M-series Vision Pro refresh rather than a broad product-line expansion.
The original headset entered the market as an M2-based Vision Pro assembled in China. Packaging now identifies Vietnam for the M5 version, making the refresh a production-location change as well as a chip update.
First-order effects
Apple’s M5 Vision Pro assembly is now in Vietnam, while the prior M2 model was assembled in China.
Vietnam becomes the disclosed final-assembly location for Apple’s current Vision Pro model; the M5 update otherwise offers few new features.
Second-order effects
A new assembly site requires Apple and its manufacturing partners to support Vision Pro production and quality control in Vietnam alongside the product refresh.
Because the cheaper Vision Pro has reportedly been delayed, this move concentrates near-term headset manufacturing changes on the premium model rather than a larger-volume expansion.
Third-order effects
If Apple extends the approach to later headset models, final assembly could become less tied to a single country even when product updates remain incremental.
The episode is one data point in the broader industrialization of AI hardware: production footprint can change independently of major consumer-facing feature changes.
The trend: Apple’s Vision Pro update illustrates how hardware makers are pairing modest product revisions with gradual diversification of final assembly locations.
Experience my Apple Vision Pro (M5) unboxing. - M5 represents first update to Vision Pro since launch in 2024. - Better battery life, better performance, reduced motion blur, sharper images. - Includes new Dual Knit Band (also works with Vision Pro M2). - Assembled in Vietnam. [v…
The M5 Vision Pro may not have many new features but there's still a huge change: it's the latest device to see production move from China to Vietnam. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@spatiallyme Somewhat bizarre that Apple's loyal customers who shelled out $3,500 for the V1 device have no upgrade path. I would have expected a *very* generous trade-in for a group of essentially beta testers for the V1.
For those asking why im not getting m5 vision pro my m2 Vision Pro typically collects dust. there is not much to do with it still to this day. buying an m5 and being able to do nothing faster doesn't appeal to me. maybe next year or whenever there is a robust App Store
[video] Apple's M5 chip appears to be a significant improvement for VisionPro and demonstrates that the next generation of chips will significantly enhance AR/VR performance. Not only will they be more powerful, but also more energy efficient.
I appreciate that Apple is confident enough in Vision Pro's capabilities and usability that they give remote media briefings inside the headset, using Personas and SharePlay to have a spatial chat and share models, slides, and other content. That's real dogfooding. Off the top …
If you ever wanted to know why I am so strongly positive about Vision Pro, to the point that it's replaced all of my screens: Adam and Norm completely nail the exact feelings I have in their M5 AVP review video [video]
It's 35% quicker when booting up, widgets appear almost instantaneously, Safari is noticeably more responsive, and creating Spatial Scenes also feels much faster...
Apple Vision Pro weight increase is coming from the new counterweighted head strap as was predicted @testedcom weighed both HMD units without attachments to prove this [image]
I've been using the new Dual Knit Band for Apple Vision Pro. It's the real deal, dramatically improving the experience found wearing AVP. - Back strap serves as a counterweight, lifting headset up and off face - Fit Dial is very well done - A must-have upgrade for AVP V1 owners […