Apple Vision Pro M5

It could be said that Apple silicon has finally caught up with the Vision Pro hardware Apple introduced more than two years ago. The M5 chip is powerful enough to take full advantage of all those 4K-plus-per-eye pixels. Everything looks a little sharper, especially virtual desktop mode, making long work stretches wearing the headset that much more enjoyable.

The new Vision Pro M5 offers a faster chip, longer battery life and comfier strap. The Personas are more life-like, and the new visionOS 26 widgets do a great job teasing what’s possible with Apple glasses. But the continued high price, heavier design and lack of multi-modal AI make this spatial computing headset a tough sell.

No, you don't need a $3,500 headset. However, if you're looking for unique VR experiences, the new Vision Pro with M5 is the top contender.

Nearly two years later, Apple's Vision Pro is still the most advanced piece of mixed reality tech anyone has brought to market. But to what end, and what's next? Apple may be moving to smart glasses, or maybe some device-connected glasses-like display. A smaller, less-expensive headset that could fold in some of Vision's best features. The form's not settled here at all. In the meantime, this expensive and heavy headset isn't an upgrade anyone needs.