Should You Buy the Apple Vision Pro?
The $3,700 Vision Pro remains prohibitively expensive for many consumers, and reviews consistently highlight that it is a device that does not easily integrate into existing workflows for most people. Some users have even regretted their purchase after experiencing the limitations of the headset. Still, for those who prioritize immersive movie watching, 3D video content, and using the headset as a Mac display, the Vision Pro delivers an unparalleled experience.
At over 1.3 pounds, the Vision Pro is heavy, and fatigue can set in quickly. However, Apple improved comfort with the Dual Knit Band that launched alongside the M5 chip, which better distributes weight and reduces pressure on the face. An external battery pack is still required, and the headset is not easy to travel with, even with Apple's dedicated Travel Case. Prospective buyers are strongly advised to try the device at an Apple Store and conduct thorough research on its capabilities before making a purchase.
The Vision Pro excels at content consumption: watching movies, viewing 3D videos, and serving as a display for a Mac. Yet it has a limited number of apps and games compared to traditional computing platforms. Apple refreshed the Vision Pro with an M5 chip in October 2025, making now a good time to buy, as another major update is not expected for at least two years. Development on a next-generation headset is currently paused, and the price increased from $3,499 to $3,699 in June 2026 due to the ongoing global memory crisis.
Design and Display
The Apple Vision Pro is a mixed reality headset designed to blend digital content with the physical world. Apple calls it a "spatial computer" rather than a headset, emphasizing its ability to overlay augmented reality content onto your surroundings or immerse you completely in virtual reality. The headset uses cameras to map the environment and project a digital image back to you, as it is not see-through. A Digital Crown on top adjusts the level of immersion.
Visually, the Vision Pro resembles a pair of ski goggles with a single piece of laminated glass front and an aluminum alloy frame. A magnetic Light Seal conforms to your face to block out light, and the new Dual Knit Band (included with the M5 model) features a top strap for added comfort. Inside, two micro-OLED displays deliver over 4K resolution per eye (23 million pixels total). The M5 chip can render 10% more pixels and supports a 120Hz refresh rate, reducing motion blur and improving clarity. An external EyeSight display projects the wearer's eyes so others can see whether you are in an immersive mode or can see the surroundings.
Cameras, Sensors, and Navigation
The Vision Pro is equipped with 12 cameras and five sensors for tracking hand gestures, head movements, and the external environment. Two forward-facing cameras transmit over a billion pixels per second to depict the real world, while infrared LEDs and cameras inside the headset track eye movements. No physical controllers are needed; navigation is done by looking at an element to highlight it, then tapping fingers to select. Voice commands with Siri provide an additional input method. Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and game controllers are also supported.
Optic ID is Apple's iris-based authentication system, similar to Face ID, used for unlocking the device and authorizing purchases. The headset can also capture 3D spatial photos and videos via a dedicated camera button, with a clear indicator when recording is active to prevent surreptitious use.
Audio and Connectivity
Speakers built into the straps on either side of the headset deliver Spatial Audio that adapts to the room's acoustics. For a superior experience, users can pair AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or AirPods Pro 3, which support lossless audio with ultra-low latency. The Vision Pro connects to Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz and 5GHz bands) but does not include Wi-Fi 6E support.
Performance and Battery
The M5 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) powers the Vision Pro, alongside the R1 chip dedicated to processing sensor data. The M5 delivers up to a 50% boost in AI-powered features thanks to a 16-core Neural Engine, and unified memory bandwidth of 153GB/s. The headset comes with 16GB RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. Battery life has improved: up to three hours for video playback and 2.5 hours for general use, a half-hour increase over the M2 model. The battery pack is worn at the hip, and users can swap packs for extended use. Plugging in allows all-day operation.
visionOS Operating System
visionOS is the operating system for Vision Pro, featuring a three-dimensional interface navigated with eyes, hands, and voice. Apps can be positioned arbitrarily in space, resized, and stacked. The system includes Environments that can immerse you completely, and a Persona (digital avatar) reflects your face and hand movements in real time for FaceTime calls. Mac Virtual Display integrates the Vision Pro as a huge 4K display for your Mac, supporting Wide and Ultrawide modes that effectively provide two 4K monitors side by side.
visionOS 26, released in September 2025, introduced persistent widgets that stay in place across restarts, improved Personas with more realistic hair and skin, the ability to view your iPhone while wearing the headset, and Spatial Scenes that add depth to 2D images. The upcoming visionOS 27 (scheduled for late 2026) will include Siri AI, a generative AI-powered assistant that can hold conversations, act in apps, and answer questions about what you're looking at. Other features in visionOS 27 include Visual Intelligence, Image Playground, automatic password changes, curved windows with more content, extra-small widgets, and support for 360-degree immersive web experiences.
How to Buy and What's in the Box
The M5 Vision Pro is available in select countries, including the US, UK, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, and more. Starting price is $3,700 for 256GB. During ordering, a Face ID scan helps determine the correct Light Seal and head band size. Prescription Zeiss lens inserts cost $99 for readers or $149 for custom prescription, requiring a valid prescription from a US eye care professional. The box includes the Dual Knit Band, Light Seal, two cushion sizes, a front cover, polishing cloth, battery pack, USB-C cable, and power adapter. Apple does not offer trade-ins for older M2 Vision Pro models.
Medical Warnings
Apple warns that the Vision Pro may exacerbate certain medical conditions, including heart conditions, migraines, dizziness, eye or vision issues, psychological conditions, inner ear disorders, dry eyes, skin allergies, seizures, and balance problems. Pregnant individuals should take extra caution. The headset and battery pack can interfere with pacemakers, hearing aids, and defibrillators.
What's Next for Vision Pro
Apple's future roadmap includes AI-powered smart glasses without a display (similar to Meta Ray-Bans), expected as early as late 2026 or 2027. A cheaper, lighter enclosed headset is not in active development; a new Vision Pro model is unlikely before late 2028 or 2029. Apple has also tested health applications, such as using eye-tracking and facial expression analysis to detect depression, anxiety, and even heart failure. In the longer term, Apple may explore AR contact lenses, but such products remain speculative.
Source: MacRumors News