Apple Vision Pro M5 Review: Upgrades and Limitations
Is the Vision Pro M5 Worth the Upgrade?
After testing both the original M2 Vision Pro and the new M5 model, I've reached a clear conclusion about Apple's latest high-end headset. The core question for potential buyers remains: Does Apple's newest iteration solve the fundamental issues of comfort, price, and purpose that plagued the original? While the M5 version introduces meaningful improvements like the dual knit strap and smoother performance, it still struggles with the same critical limitations that made its predecessor a niche product. For anyone considering this £3,500 investment, understanding these trade-offs is essential before committing.
What's New in the Vision Pro M5
The M5 chip delivers tangible but incremental improvements over the M2 model. Processing is noticeably faster, particularly for demanding tasks like generating Personas (Apple's face-scanning avatars), which now complete 40% quicker based on my side-by-side testing. The screen also gains a 10% pixel density increase in your central field of view, though this enhancement is subtle due to Apple's foveated rendering technology. This technique, commonly used in VR development, prioritizes sharpness where your eyes focus while reducing peripheral detail to conserve performance.
The most significant upgrade comes from the 120Hz refresh rate, which makes navigating menus and windows exceptionally smooth. However, Apple still hasn't resolved the MacBook compatibility issue I encountered. When connecting to my MacBook Pro as an external display—a primary use case for professionals—the refresh rate drops to 60Hz despite Apple's claims of full 120Hz support. This creates a jarring experience that undermines the headset's productivity potential.
Battery life sees modest gains through the M5's efficiency improvements. You'll get approximately 30 extra minutes, extending usage to three hours for media playback. But realistically, comfort limitations prevent most users from marathon sessions. The new dual knit strap includes tungsten counterweights that redistribute pressure, but adds 100-150 grams overall. While helpful, physics dictates that added mass remains added mass.
Comfort and Real-World Usability
The dual knit strap represents Apple's most impactful improvement for daily use. Unlike the original single-strap design that concentrated pressure on your face, this new system offers three-dimensional adjustability:
- Top strap tightness for weight distribution
- Front/back tension controls
- Rear counterbalance to reduce facial pressure
After testing both models extensively, the dual strap makes the M5 version feel significantly less burdensome during the first 15 minutes of use. Crucially, Apple deserves credit for selling this strap separately (£99) for original Vision Pro owners—a consumer-friendly move that extends the previous model's lifespan. Despite this, the fundamental comfort ceiling remains unchanged. Beyond 15 minutes, you'll still experience facial pressure, eye strain, and the infamous "Vision Pro hair" indentations. The headset's weight (even redistributed) continues to make extended use impractical for work or entertainment.
The unchanged light seal mechanism remains frustratingly fragile. The magnetic attachment detaches too easily if you accidentally lift the headset by the strap—a design flaw that could've been fixed with stronger connectors. This seems like a missed opportunity for refinement in an otherwise premium product.
Value Assessment and Alternatives
At £3,500, the Vision Pro M5 occupies a complex position in Apple's ecosystem. To contextualize the price:
- Matches a maxed-out 13-inch iPad Pro with accessories
- Half the cost of a top-spec MacBook Pro
- Double Samsung's Galaxy XR headset (£1,800)
The core problem isn't raw capability—the Vision Pro delivers genuinely magical spatial computing. Personas in business meetings create unparalleled immersion, with precise spatial audio that makes remote participants feel present in your room. Watching movies in immersive environments like lunar landscapes demonstrates Apple's technical prowess. Yet these remain niche use cases rather than daily necessities.
For productivity, XREAL glasses (£450) provide a more practical solution. Their lightweight design and direct USB-C connection offer comfortable extended use as portable displays, though they lack the Vision Pro's advanced features. If your priority is media consumption or basic screen extension, these deliver 80% of the utility at 15% of the cost. The Vision Pro only makes sense if you specifically need its unique AR collaboration features or can tolerate its physical compromises for short sessions.
The Verdict and Practical Recommendations
Apple's Vision Pro M5 feels like an iterative update rather than a transformative one. The dual knit strap improves initial comfort, the M5 chip enables smoother performance, and battery gains are welcome. However, none of these address the headset's core issues of weight, limited use cases, and prohibitive pricing. Unless you specifically require its enterprise features for virtual collaboration, it's difficult to recommend over more comfortable, affordable alternatives.
Actionable insights for buyers:
- Try the dual knit strap first if you own the original Vision Pro—it's the most cost-effective upgrade
- Consider XREAL glasses if you primarily need a travel display
- Wait for next-gen models if weight reduction is essential
- Demo the headset for 30+ minutes before purchasing to assess comfort tolerance
For developers and businesses leveraging spatial computing, the Vision Pro remains the most advanced platform available. But for consumers, the dream of comfortable all-day AR/VR still feels several generations away. What specific use case would make you consider buying the Vision Pro despite its limitations? Share your scenario in the comments.
