Apple today has officially refreshed the Vision Pro spatial computing headset, integrating the next-generation M5 chip for enhanced performance, alongside a newly designed Dual Knit Band aimed at improving user comfort. The updated headset is available for pre-order today, with in-store availability and initial customer deliveries beginning Wednesday, October 22.
The powerful M5 chip introduces key performance and visual improvements over the prior model, which featured the M2 chip.
- Processor Architecture: The M5 features a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, built on a 3-nanometer process.
- Enhanced Graphics: The M5 now includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, significantly improving graphics rendering for richer lighting and reflections.
- Display Quality: The custom micro-OLED displays now render 10% more pixels, resulting in sharper imagery and crisper text throughout the system. Additionally, the display’s refresh rate can now reach up to 120Hz, up from 100Hz in the original model, providing a smoother visual experience and reduced motion blur.
- AI Acceleration: The enhanced 16-core Neural Engine allows Apple Intelligence and other AI-powered system features to run up to 50% faster compared to the previous Vision Pro. For third-party applications, the AI performance is up to 2x faster.
- Battery Life Improvement: While the design remains unchanged, including the tethered battery pack, the M5 chip contributes to improved efficiency. The new Vision Pro offers up to 2.5 hours of general use and up to 3 hours of video playback, an increase from the previous model’s 2.5 hours of video playback.
- R1 Chip: The updated model continues to utilize the dedicated R1 chip to process input from its array of 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones.
The new Dual Knit Band is included with the updated Vision Pro and focuses on enhanced comfort, balance, and stability for extended use.
- Design and Comfort: The band is 3D-knitted as a single piece with a dual-rib structure for cushioning, breathability, and stretch. It features an upper strap across the top of the head and a lower strap across the back.
- Stability: The lower strap includes tungsten inserts that function as a counterweight to improve balance. Fit adjustments can be made using the intuitive Fit Dial.
- Availability: The Dual Knit Band is available in small, medium, and large sizes and can be purchased separately for $99. It is also compatible with the previous-generation Vision Pro.
The Vision Pro still starts at $3,499 in the U.S. and can be configured with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. The launch extends international availability to Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the U.K., and the United Arab Emirates, with South Korea and Taiwan to follow.
The headset ships with the Dual Knit Band, a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a cover, a polishing cloth, a battery, a USB-C charging cable, and Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max. This replaces the prior model’s discontinued 30W USB-C Power Adapter. Customers can visit an Apple Store beginning October 22 for a product demonstration.
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