94
Man of ManyT4Mar 21, 2026
“It’s a wildly expensive, slightly flawed look into the future of technology.”
Australian outlet; reviewed after three months of use and priced in AU$ (AU$5,999).
By Ben McKimm · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Wearable
Apple Vision Pro (M5)
Apple · From $3,499
Release date Oct 22, 2025
75
Recommended
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
9 with a published score, 3 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Mar 21, 2026
2 Rave5 Positive3 Favorable2 Mixed
Critics' Take
Critics see the M5 refresh as a better version of the same headset. The faster chip, sharper rendering and the bundled Dual Knit Band make it steadier and more comfortable to wear, but the price, the weight and the thin app library keep it a niche product. Scores range from 6/10 at The Verge to 4.5/5 at TechRadar, and Engadget calls it better suited to developers than consumers.
What critics loved
- Dual Knit Band balances the weight and is more comfortable
- M5 chip keeps performance steady with many windows open
- Sharper, smoother displays with up to 120Hz
- Movies, Mac Virtual Display and immersive video
Common gripes
- $3,499 launch price
- Still heavy, with an external battery pack
- Roughly 2.5 hours of general use per charge
- Few major apps and little spatial content
- Little reason for owners of the M2 model to upgrade
Critic Scorecard
12 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
93
TechRadarT2Oct 21, 2025
“It could be said that Apple silicon has finally caught up with the Vision Pro hardware Apple introduced more than two years ago.”
By Lance Ulanoff · Rated 4.5/5Full review
83
PCMagT2Dec 18, 2025
“The M5 Vision Pro refines the already best-in-class mixed reality headset with meaningful comfort and performance gains, but at $3,499, it remains best suited for Apple devotees who want the absolute cutting edge regardless of cost.”
By Will Greenwald · Rated 4/5Full review
82
Cult of MacT3Oct 26, 2025
“If you’re curious about a Vision Pro, the M5 model is the one to buy.”
By D. Griffin Jones · Rated 4/5Full review
80
9to5MacT2Oct 21, 2025
“In situations where the M2 Vision Pro would start to lag and stutter, the M5 Vision Pro keeps up.”
By Chance Miller · Unrated, scored from textFull review
75
CNETT1Oct 21, 2025
“I’d say the changes aren’t dramatic, and that most key parts of the experience are unchanged.”
By Scott Stein · Rated 7.5/10Full review
Show 6 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
75
GizmodoT2Oct 21, 2025
“The headset is faster, comfier, and better for gaming, but sorry, you'll still look awkward.”
By Kyle Barr · Rated 4/5Full review
74
EngadgetT1Nov 3, 2025
“Beyond that, the Vision Pro is still basically a $3,500 developer kit that really isn't meant for consumers.”
By Devindra Hardawar · Rated 78%Full review
73
Tom's GuideT2Oct 21, 2025
“Yes, the Vision Pro M5 offers a faster chip and a comfier strap, but I expected much more hardware and software innovation from Apple for what's supposed to be a category-defining product.”
By Mark Spoonauer · Rated 3.5/5Full review
68
Six ColorsT3Oct 21, 2025
“Apple’s cutting-edge VR computer hasn’t exactly taken the world by storm.”
Combined review of the M5 Vision Pro, the Dual Knit Band and PSVR2 controller support; no score published.
By Six Colors staff · Unrated, scored from textFull review
64
Ars TechnicaT2Nov 26, 2025
“I still like the Vision Pro, but I can tell it’s hanging on by a thread.”
Long-term assessment of the platform after using the M5 refresh daily; no score published.
By Samuel Axon · Unrated, scored from textFull review
55
The VergeT1Oct 29, 2025
“The new M5 model remains a very good headset, now slightly faster and more comfortable than its predecessor.”
By Todd Haselton · Rated 6/10Full review
94
Man of ManyT4Mar 21, 2026
“It’s a wildly expensive, slightly flawed look into the future of technology.”
Australian outlet; reviewed after three months of use and priced in AU$ (AU$5,999).
By Ben McKimm · Rated 4.5/5Full review
83
PCMagT2Dec 18, 2025
“The M5 Vision Pro refines the already best-in-class mixed reality headset with meaningful comfort and performance gains, but at $3,499, it remains best suited for Apple devotees who want the absolute cutting edge regardless of cost.”
By Will Greenwald · Rated 4/5Full review
64
Ars TechnicaT2Nov 26, 2025
“I still like the Vision Pro, but I can tell it’s hanging on by a thread.”
Long-term assessment of the platform after using the M5 refresh daily; no score published.
By Samuel Axon · Unrated, scored from textFull review
74
EngadgetT1Nov 3, 2025
“Beyond that, the Vision Pro is still basically a $3,500 developer kit that really isn't meant for consumers.”
By Devindra Hardawar · Rated 78%Full review
55
The VergeT1Oct 29, 2025
“The new M5 model remains a very good headset, now slightly faster and more comfortable than its predecessor.”
By Todd Haselton · Rated 6/10Full review
82
Cult of MacT3Oct 26, 2025
“If you’re curious about a Vision Pro, the M5 model is the one to buy.”
By D. Griffin Jones · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 6 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
93
TechRadarT2Oct 21, 2025
“It could be said that Apple silicon has finally caught up with the Vision Pro hardware Apple introduced more than two years ago.”
By Lance Ulanoff · Rated 4.5/5Full review
80
9to5MacT2Oct 21, 2025
“In situations where the M2 Vision Pro would start to lag and stutter, the M5 Vision Pro keeps up.”
By Chance Miller · Unrated, scored from textFull review
75
CNETT1Oct 21, 2025
“I’d say the changes aren’t dramatic, and that most key parts of the experience are unchanged.”
By Scott Stein · Rated 7.5/10Full review
75
GizmodoT2Oct 21, 2025
“The headset is faster, comfier, and better for gaming, but sorry, you'll still look awkward.”
By Kyle Barr · Rated 4/5Full review
73
Tom's GuideT2Oct 21, 2025
“Yes, the Vision Pro M5 offers a faster chip and a comfier strap, but I expected much more hardware and software innovation from Apple for what's supposed to be a category-defining product.”
By Mark Spoonauer · Rated 3.5/5Full review
68
Six ColorsT3Oct 21, 2025
“Apple’s cutting-edge VR computer hasn’t exactly taken the world by storm.”
Combined review of the M5 Vision Pro, the Dual Knit Band and PSVR2 controller support; no score published.
By Six Colors staff · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Quick Facts
- Display
- Micro-OLED, 23 million pixels total, up to 120Hz
- Chip
- Apple M5 plus R1 sensor chip
- Storage
- 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- Battery life
- Up to 2.5 hours general use, 3 hours video (external battery)
- Weight
- 750 to 800 g headset, plus 353 g battery
- Headband
- Dual Knit Band included
- Input
- Eye, hand and voice control; PS VR2 controllers supported
- Software
- visionOS 26
- Price
- From $3,499 at launch (256GB)