Apple has introduced an upgraded Apple Vision Pro featuring the company’s new M5 chip, a redesigned Dual Knit Band aimed at improving comfort, and visionOS 26, adding new spatial computing features ranging from widgets to expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities.
The updated headset is now available for pre-order, with retail availability beginning Wednesday, Oct. 22, including in Canada, according to Apple.
Apple says the new Vision Pro delivers a performance boost through M5, including faster system responsiveness, improved graphics, and longer battery life—positioning the device as its most capable spatial computing platform to date.
“With the breakthrough performance of M5, the latest Apple Vision Pro delivers faster performance, sharper details throughout the system, and even more battery life,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
M5 Brings Faster Performance, Sharper Rendering, and Higher Refresh Rates
Apple says Vision Pro with M5 is built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology and includes a 10-core CPU and a next-generation 10-core GPU, with support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. The company framed the graphics improvements as a step forward for immersive gaming and high-detail environments, pointing to titles like Control as an example of enhanced lighting and reflections.
The headset’s display output is also being pushed further. Apple says the updated Vision Pro now renders 10% more pixels on its micro-OLED displays compared to the prior version, aiming for sharper text and clearer visual detail.
Apple also says the device can increase refresh rate up to 120Hz, which it says can reduce motion blur during passthrough viewing and improve experiences such as Mac Virtual Display.
The updated headset continues to pair M5 with Apple’s R1 chip, which processes input from the device’s cameras and sensors and displays new images within 12 milliseconds, according to Apple.
Longer Battery Life and Faster On-Device AI
Battery performance is another focus in the update. Apple says the headset now supports up to 2.5 hours of general use and up to three hours of video playback per charge.
The M5 also brings AI performance gains through a 16-core Neural Engine, which Apple says can run AI-powered system features up to 50% faster, and up to 2x faster in third-party apps compared with the previous generation.
Apple highlighted enterprise and professional applications as a key part of the Vision Pro roadmap, citing developers such as JigSpace, which is using Apple’s Foundation Models framework to bring on-device AI workflows into spatial interfaces for complex visualizations and data exploration.
Dual Knit Band Targets Comfort and Longer Wear Time
Apple also introduced a new Dual Knit Band, designed to improve comfort and balance for longer sessions. The band uses a dual-strap design with 3D-knitted construction and a Fit Dial system for adjustment.
The Dual Knit Band will ship with the new Vision Pro and is also compatible with the previous-generation headset. Apple says it will be sold separately for $99 (U.S.).
visionOS 26 Adds Widgets, New Personas, and Jupiter Environment
The updated Vision Pro will ship alongside visionOS 26, adding persistent widgets that reappear in the user’s space each time the headset is worn, along with updates to Personas and expanded spatial media playback formats.
Apple says visionOS 26 also adds an interactive Jupiter Environment, while extending Apple Intelligence features to more languages.
Later this fall, Apple says a dedicated Apple Vision Pro app is coming to iPad, enabling users to discover content, queue downloads, and manage Vision Pro experiences from a second device.
Pricing, Availability, and Retail Rollout
Apple Vision Pro with M5 starts at $3,499 (U.S.), with storage options including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Pre-orders are live in Canada and other markets including Australia, the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, and the UAE. Apple says additional rollout will follow later in China mainland, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Apple is also continuing its in-store demo strategy for Vision Pro, with customers able to book demonstrations at Apple Store locations in markets where the headset is sold.
While Vision Pro remains positioned as a premium category product, Apple’s M5 upgrade, software roadmap, and expanding immersive content catalog signal that the company is still investing heavily in turning spatial computing into a long-term platform—one that spans entertainment, productivity, and enterprise adoption.
