Apple Vision Pro Gets M5 Upgrade and More Comfortable Dual Knit Band

Apple is giving its Vision Pro headset a significant upgrade, packing it with the new M5 chip and a more comfortable Dual Knit Band. The refreshed headset is available for pre-order today starting at $3,499 and will hit stores on Wednesday, October 22.

At the heart of the refresh is the new M5 chip, which packs a 10-core CPU and a next-gen 10-core GPU. Apple says this translates to a 10 percent increase in rendered pixels for a sharper image and support for refresh rates up to 120Hz. The M5 works alongside the R1 chip to stream new images to the displays within 12 milliseconds, and its 16-core Neural Engine accelerates AI tasks. Battery life gets a bump to 2.5 hours of general use or 3 hours of video playback. The timing of the update lines up with recent FCC filings that pointed to an imminent refresh.




A new Dual Knit Band is also part of the package, designed for a more comfortable and balanced fit. It uses a 3D-knitted structure with tungsten inserts in the lower strap that act as a counterweight, and includes an adjustable Fit Dial. The band comes in three sizes, is sold separately for $99, and remains compatible with the original Vision Pro.



The updated Vision Pro ships with visionOS 26, which brings features like persistent widgets, enhanced Personas, and new Apple Intelligence capabilities. Apple also highlighted a growing library of immersive content, including new series from partners like the BBC and Red Bull, and upcoming live NBA games.




For gamers, the new Vision Pro adds support for the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller, opening up new gameplay with titles like Elu Legend and Pickle Pro. The headset continues to support other accessories, including the recently announced Logitech Muse spatial pencil.

The Vision Pro comes with the new Dual Knit Band, a Light Seal and cushions, a cover, battery, USB-C cable, and the new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter. It's available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. Pre-orders are open now in the U.S. and select other countries.

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