Should You Buy the Vision Pro?
The $3,500 Vision Pro is prohibitively expensive for many consumers, and reviews have made it clear that it is a device that does not easily fit into an existing workflow for most people. Some users have even regretted purchasing the headset. The Vision Pro is great for watching movies, viewing 3D videos, and using as a display for a Mac.
At over 1.3 pounds, the Vision Pro is heavy and fatigue can set in quickly, but Apple improved comfort with the Dual Knit Band that launched alongside the M5 chip. There is also an external battery pack to contend with, and the headset is not easy to travel with, especially with Apple's dedicated Travel Case.
The Vision Pro is undoubtedly Apple's most technically advanced product and an incredible feat of engineering that is impressive when it is first viewed, but those considering a purchase should try it at the Apple Store and do a lot of research on what can be done with it before making a purchase. The Vision Pro is excellent for watching movies and consuming content, plus it can be used as a display for a Mac, but it has a limited number of apps and games.
Apple refreshed the Apple Vision Pro with an M5 chip in October 2025, which means now is a good time to buy. Another update is not expected for at least two years, and development on a next-generation headset is currently paused.
Apple Vision Pro: An Introduction
Apple Vision Pro is Apple's augmented and virtual reality headset, a major new product category. The first version launched in February 2024, and Apple released an updated model with an M5 chip in October 2025. While it is definitely a headset, Apple does not use that word, instead calling it a spatial computer because of its ability to blend digital content with the physical world. Apple refers to the Vision Pro as the first spatial computing device.
The headset is a mixed reality device that displays augmented reality content overlaid on the world around you, and immersive entirely virtual content. It is worth noting that the headset is not see-through; everything you see is digital. For augmented reality, Apple uses cameras that map your surroundings, translating them into a digital image augmented by virtual elements. For virtual reality, those cameras are shut off, making you feel completely isolated. This shift between real and immersive is controlled with an on-device Digital Crown.
Design and Comfort
Design wise, Apple Vision Pro resembles a pair of ski goggles, featuring a singular piece of laminated glass for the front that melds into an aluminum alloy frame. A soft, fitted Light Seal attaches magnetically to the frame and conforms to your face to block out light. Two Audio Straps with built-in speakers are positioned at the sides, delivering Spatial Audio that blends what you're hearing with the real world. The Audio Straps connect to a 3D knitted headband that holds the Vision Pro in place.
The original version came with a Solo Knit Band, but the M5 model has a Dual Knit Band with a second strap that fits over the top of the head. Apple designed the Dual Knit Band to be breathable, cushiony, and stretchy for comfort, with a Fit Dial ensuring a tight fit. The Dual Knit Band features counterweights for the back strap to more evenly distribute weight, reducing pressure on the face and neck.
Display and Optics
Inside the frame, there are two micro-OLED displays that deliver over 4K resolution to each eye for a total of 23 million pixels. There's also an external display called EyeSight that projects an image of your eyes so people can tell whether you're using the headset in an immersive mode or if you can see what's going on around you. For glasses wearers, there are custom prescription Zeiss Optical Inserts that attach magnetically to the headset's lenses.
The M5 Vision Pro renders 10 percent more pixels, providing more detailed visuals with crisper text, and supports refresh rates up to 120Hz for reduced motion blur. This makes content appear sharper and more in focus compared to the M2 model.
Cameras, Sensors, and Navigation
There are no controllers for Apple Vision Pro; instead, the headset is controlled by eye tracking, hand gestures, and voice commands. An app can be navigated to and highlighted by looking at it and then opened with a tap of the fingers. Scrolling is done with a simple flick. More than a dozen cameras and sensors map the world around you, keeping track of hand and eye movements. Optic ID, which scans your iris with infrared lights and cameras, is used for authentication, similar to Face ID and Touch ID.
The Vision Pro can take 3D photos and videos using a built-in camera powered by tapping the top button. Apple says users can capture memories and relive them like never before. When recording video, the headset makes it clear that recording is happening with an animation on the external display.
Processors and Performance
There are two Apple silicon chips inside the Vision Pro: the same M5 chip used in the MacBook Pro and a headset-exclusive R1 chip. The M5 chip runs visionOS, executes computer vision algorithms, and provides graphics, while the R1 chip processes input from the cameras, sensors, and microphones. The M5 chip is built using third-generation 3-nanometer technology, featuring a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU with improved Neural Engine. This results in faster app loading, more responsive web browsing, and enhanced AI-powered features like spatial persona generation.
The Vision Pro has 16GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. The M5 chip enables the headset to render 10 percent more pixels and handle refresh rates up to 120Hz, providing crisper details and reduced motion blur.
Audio and Connectivity
Speakers on either side of the headset deliver spatial audio, with dual-driver audio pods positioned next to each ear that adapt sound to match the space. Six microphones are used for calls and voice commands. The Vision Pro pairs with AirPods for superior audio, including lossless audio with the USB-C AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 (not 6E) and Bluetooth.
Battery Life
Due to weight constraints, Apple did not put a battery inside the headset. Instead, it is powered by a braided cable attached to a battery pack worn at the hip, or it can be plugged into an adapter. The M5 Vision Pro offers up to three hours of video playback and 2.5 hours of general use, a half-hour improvement over the M2 model. Battery packs can be swapped for additional power, and the headset can run all day when plugged in.
visionOS and Software
visionOS is the operating system with a full three-dimensional interface. Apps and windows can be positioned in mid-air, rearranged as you see fit, with multiple windows supported. The level of immersion is adjustable via the Digital Crown. visionOS includes a dedicated App Store, runs iPhone and iPad apps, and integrates with a Mac to serve as a display. FaceTime is redesigned with Digital Personas, and there are Environments like Cinema for an immersive viewing experience.
The current version is visionOS 26.5, which adds persistent widgets, more lifelike Personas, shared experiences with other Vision Pro users, and Spatial Scenes that add depth to 2D images. A Travel Mode and Guest Mode are included. Future updates in visionOS 27 will bring face gestures, vehicle motion cues, and improved accessibility features.
Pricing and Availability
The M5 Vision Pro is available from Apple online and retail stores in select countries including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, China, and others. Pricing starts at $3,500 for 256GB. Zeiss reading lenses cost $99, while prescription lens inserts are $149. The ordering process requires a Face ID scan to determine the correct Light Seal and headband fit. There are no trade-ins for the older M2 model.
Medical Warnings and Future Plans
Apple warns that certain medical conditions could be exacerbated by the headset, including heart conditions, migraines, seizures, and balance issues. Pregnant individuals should exercise caution. The headset and its battery pack could interfere with pacemakers and hearing aids. Looking ahead, Apple is reportedly focusing on smart glasses without a display, similar to Meta Ray-Bans, with a possible launch in 2026 or 2027. A cheaper enclosed headset is not in active development, but could appear in at least two years. Apple's long-term AR/VR plans include AR glasses that connect to a Mac, but that project was halted in 2025. Future versions may include health monitoring features such as detecting depression or heart failure via eye tracking.
Source: MacRumors News