Apple Introduces Vision Pro Featuring M5 Chip, Dual Knit Band, and 2.5 Hours Battery Life

In a highly anticipated announcement, Apple has revealed an upgraded version of its Vision Pro headset, now featuring the cutting-edge M5 chip and a “soft, cushioned Dual Knit Band, ”designed to enhance user comfort significantly.

Introducing Apple’s Enhanced Vision Pro: M5 Chip, Dual Knit Band, VisionOS 26, and Intelligent Features

User interacting with an unbranded VR headset in a virtual cityscape. — Apple’s Latest Vision Pro Brimming with Advanced Features

The newly launched Vision Pro headset integrates a multitude of exciting features:

The Power of the M5 Chip

Equipped with a powerful M5 chip, the headset promises a transformative experience, boasting a 10-core CPU and GPU. This upgrade facilitates:

Enhanced visual clarity, rendering “10 percent more pixels” on its custom micro-OLED displays compared to its predecessor for sharper images and clearer text.
A 16-core Neural Engine that accelerates AI features, making system functions up to 50 percent faster and third-party applications up to 2x quicker than earlier models.

Enhanced Display Features

Among its other noteworthy innovations:

The ability to switch refresh rates to 120Hz, effectively minimizing motion blur.
A dedicated R1 chip processes data from twelve cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, delivering a real-time visual feed with an impressive response time of just 12 milliseconds.
Optimized battery life, extending up to two and a half hours for general usage and three hours for video playback on a single charge.

Innovative Dual Knit Band Design

The newly designed Dual Knit band is crafted with upper and lower straps knit together in a single piece, focusing on comfort and adaptability:

The lower strap features flexible fabric ribs enhanced with tungsten inserts to enhance stability and counterbalance weight.
This band is offered in small, medium, and large sizes, compatible with the original Vision Pro and available separately.

VisionOS 26: A Leap into Spatial Computing

With the launch of VisionOS 26, users can look forward to expanded spatial experiences, including:

Custom widgets for easy access to essentials like time, weather, social media, and even ChatGPT.
Upgraded Persona, a dynamic digital avatar, which improves communication in applications such as FaceTime.
Enhanced spatial scenes leveraging generative AI to imbue photos with realistic depth.
Support for immersive video playback formats—180-degree, 360-degree, and expansive field-of-view—from mainstream action cameras.

Diverse App Ecosystem

Apple Vision Pro now boasts over a million available apps, including more than 3, 000 specifically designed for visionOS:

The JigSpace app employs Apple’s Foundation Models, simplifying complex information for user understanding.
Access to new series and movies is available through the Apple TV app, expanding entertainment options.

Exciting Opportunities for Gamers

This headset supports the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller, enabling gamers to dive into an immersive world of interactive experiences with:

High-performance motion tracking that encompasses six degrees of freedom, alongside finger touch detection and vibration feedback.
Launch titles such as Elu Legend, Pickle Pro, Ping Pong Club, and Spatial Rifts, which leverage the new capabilities of the PlayStation VR2 controller.

Enhanced Features for Professionals

Pro users will find significant enhancements tailored for productivity and collaboration:

Presentations can be prepared in a virtual replica of the legendary Steve Jobs Theater using Keynote.
Collaboration is further elevated with Logitech Muse, a digital stylus designed for precision with Vision Pro.
CAE, a leader in simulation technology, now incorporates Vision Pro headsets in pilot training programs outside traditional learning environments.

Inside view of the Apple Vision Pro headset showcasing M5 and R1 chips.

Pricing and Availability

Beginning at $3, 499, the refreshed Vision Pro is offered in various storage options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Key dates include:

Pre-orders started today across the U. S.and select regions, with additional availability for mainland China and Singapore commencing on Friday.
The new headset, along with the Dual Knit Band priced at $99, will become accessible in Apple Store locations starting October 22.
The PlayStation VR2 Sense controller and Controller Charging Station will also be available for $249.95 online from November 11.

Source & Images