Apple Vision Pro M5 Review: A Powerful Upgrade, But Still a Solo Experience

Apple’s Vision Pro continues to set the standard for VR headsets, delivering moments of pure technological wonder. Viewing 3D photographs, enjoying films on enormous virtual screens, and managing multiple floating application windows are all genuinely impressive. However, a curious pattern emerged after my initial review period: I found myself placing the headset back in its case, where it often remained for days. The new M5 model is a very capable device, offering slightly improved speed and comfort, yet I frequently opt for the simplicity of my iPhone, television, or Mac for entertainment and work. The fundamental act of strapping a device to my face and immersing myself in a digital environment is a habit I haven’t fully embraced.

This highlights a core challenge for Apple and its competitors: the experience can feel isolating. You are effectively disconnecting from your physical surroundings. It’s a remarkable piece of technology, yet one I find I can easily do without.

The most significant physical upgrade this year is the new Dual Knit Band. This strap, which is also compatible with the original model, is a game-changer for comfort. It incorporates a band that goes over the top of your head and cleverly embeds counterweights in the rear section. This redesign addresses the front-heavy feel that many users reported with the single-band strap of the first version. While the complete assembly is marginally heavier, the superior weight distribution makes it a worthwhile trade-off. A single dial on the right side allows you to tighten the strap in two locations, the top and the back, through an intuitive mechanism: twist for one section, then pull and twist the same dial for the other.

In terms of core hardware, the primary change is the inclusion of the M5 processor. What does this mean for the user? It enables several quality-of-life improvements. Apple has increased the maximum refresh rate of the micro-OLED displays to 120Hz, up from 100Hz in the previous model. While I never perceived the M2 screens as blurry during fast scrolling or quick head movements, this enhancement ensures even smoother motion for those who are sensitive to it.

Battery performance sees a slight boost from the M5 as well. I managed to stream three consecutive episodes of a show before receiving a low-battery alert, aligning with Apple’s claim of roughly three hours for video playback. For general use involving web browsing, app exploration, and media consumption, the battery lasts approximately two and a half hours.

Widgets are a welcome addition since my last use of the headset, available across models, not just the M5. I appreciate the ability to pin them to specific locations in my home. I have a few cherished photos and a music playlist seemingly suspended on my living room wall, and they remain exactly where I left them every time I put the headset on.

Viewing photos remains one of the most compelling applications for the Vision Pro. The M5 chip utilizes artificial intelligence to transform standard photos into immersive images in mere seconds, a process reportedly quicker than before. These spatial photos and videos, which can also be captured with the headset or a compatible iPhone, create a powerful sense of presence, bringing people and places to life in three dimensions with a distinctive, colorful aura. For me, this technology offers a poignant way to feel close to relatives who have passed away, and I treasure seeing my daughter’s baby toes from a year ago rendered in stunning 3D.

The headset is filled with these “see it to believe it” experiences. Watching Apple’s immersive wildlife videos or footage from a helicopter soaring over peaks is breathtaking. It’s disappointing, however, that the library remains limited and most videos are relatively short. Apple is gradually adding more clips and mini-documentaries that showcase the headset’s ability to transport you elsewhere, but I would love a more extensive collection of full-length feature films. Much of the available content still feels like demonstration material, typically running from a few minutes to half an hour. Sitting in a virtual cinema watching these on a massive, crisp display with high-fidelity spatial audio is incredibly relaxing. The only downside is the lack of someone to share the moment with, a luxury that would require a household with multiple headsets.

The new processor also renders about ten percent more viewable pixels. This doesn’t mean the physical displays have more pixels; rather, the chip can process and display a greater number of them within your field of view at any given moment. This is part of the foveated rendering technology, which keeps the area you’re directly looking at razor-sharp while subtly reducing detail in your peripheral vision. Text in apps and on websites appears somewhat sharper as a result, though the difference wasn’t stark enough for me to immediately notice.

Personas, the 3D digital avatars introduced with the first model, now look significantly more detailed and lifelike. This does help alleviate the solitary feeling to a degree. Unfortunately, my only conversations using them were with Apple staff during a briefing. None of my personal friends own a Vision Pro, and that’s unlikely to change until the price becomes far more accessible.

Then there is the grand vision of the Vision Pro as a serious productivity tool for professionals. You absolutely can accomplish work while wearing it. Most of the applications I require were available in the App Store or functioned perfectly well within the browser. I could clearly see all my open apps, edit document text in Google Docs, communicate with colleagues on Slack, and more. I worked for several hours without experiencing eye strain. To the extent that Apple aimed to create a computer for your face, it has succeeded.

Working on a massive, virtual ultrawide monitor linked to a Mac is an enjoyable experience. That said, I don’t particularly enjoy using it for extended sessions. After a few hours, the significant hardware on my face begins to feel somewhat claustrophobic. I also miss the ability to perform simple, human actions without obstruction, rubbing my eyes when tired, running my hands through my hair in frustration, or simply pacing around the room unencumbered.

I vastly prefer sitting on my couch with my dog curled up beside me, typing this review and interacting with the real world directly. The Vision Pro’s video passthrough is clear enough for many tasks and is slightly sharper thanks to the M5, but I will always lift the headset to have a face-to-face conversation, answer my phone, pet my dog, or move around freely.

The latest Vision Pro is an entertaining and occasionally magical device, just like its predecessor. But as noted in initial reviews, the experience inside can be a lonely one. I want to share these incredible moments and feel more connected to the world around me, not separated from it.

Apple needs to provide compelling reasons for users to return regularly. Perhaps the company’s upcoming push into live sports, like the NBA games promised for 2026 that simulate a courtside seat, will help. Ultimately, if Apple truly wants to eliminate the friction between choosing the Vision Pro and simply using a Mac, it needs a product that is substantially smaller, lighter, and hopefully, makes the wearer look a little less conspicuous.

(Source: The Verge)