When Apple says it has redefined the future, it is not usually exaggerating. This time though, the Apple Vision Pro M5 might actually prove them right. With a new chip that laughs in the face of physics, a comfort upgrade that will not leave your face feeling like it has been through a boxing match, and the latest visionOS 26, this headset has evolved from an impressive party trick into something approaching the real future of computing.

The M5 Chip: A Powerhouse in Your Face

Let us start with the brain. The Apple Vision Pro M5 is running a brand-new 10-core CPU and GPU combo that makes the previous version feel like it was powered by hamster wheels. Built on third-generation 3-nanometre technology, it chews through tasks faster than an M4 MacBook on a double espresso.

We are talking about hardware-accelerated ray tracing, mesh shading, and a 16-core Neural Engine that is now 50% faster for AI tasks. The result is simple. Apps launch quicker, animations are smoother, and web browsing feels instant. The Vision Pro now pumps out 10% more pixels than before, making every microscopic detail in your virtual world look like it has been scrubbed clean with Apple polish.

In simple terms, it is blisteringly fast. Developers can now craft scenes and environments so detailed that you will start doubting what is real and what is digital. Games like Control and Spatial Rifts look better than ever, complete with reflections sharp enough to check your hair mid-battle.

Battery life has improved too, with 2.5 hours of general use and 3 hours of video playback, and if that is not enough, you can plug in while you keep going.

The Dual Knit Band: Comfort, Finally

Apple has finally addressed the biggest complaint from early adopters, which was comfort. Enter the Dual Knit Band, which wraps around your head like a luxury cashmere seatbelt. It is 3D-knitted into a single piece with a dual-rib structure that offers both stretch and support, meaning you can now binge a full-length movie without feeling like your skull is being squeezed by a robot crab.

The lower strap features tungsten inserts for balance, so the weight feels evenly distributed rather than top-heavy. The Fit Dial lets you tweak the tension precisely, so there is no more adjusting every five minutes. The Dual Knit Band is sold separately too, so even owners of the first-generation Vision Pro can get in on the comfort revolution.

visionOS 26: Smarter, Faster, and Full of Surprises

The new visionOS 26 turns the Vision Pro M5 into something far beyond a fancy screen strapped to your face. Widgets now float seamlessly around your space, reappearing every time you boot up. You can check the weather, play music, or even open ChatGPT right in front of your eyes.

Apple has also leaned heavily into AI and Apple Intelligence this time, with more natural Personas for FaceTime and generative spatial scenes that breathe life into your photos. It is surprisingly emotional watching a flat picture of your dog turn into a living, breathing 3D moment, like a tech-driven time machine.

Then there is Apple Immersive, which continues to redefine entertainment. You can now watch Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman, or Wicked on what feels like a 100-foot screen, or catch live NBA games as though you are sitting courtside.

Gaming and Creativity: Next-Level Stuff

Gaming on the Apple Vision Pro M5 is the closest thing we have got to stepping inside a PlayStation. Thanks to ultra-high-resolution micro-OLED displays and Spatial Audio, games feel vivid and immediate. The new compatibility with the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller opens the door for serious gameplay with full motion tracking, haptics, and finger detection.

It is not just for gamers either. Creative professionals can now edit photos on a floating Mac Virtual Display, sketch with the new Logitech Muse stylus, or build 3D models with precision. Architects, filmmakers, and designers are all discovering that the Vision Pro is less of a gimmick and more of a productivity tool from another dimension.

For the Pros and the Pioneers

In the corporate world, the Apple Vision Pro M5 is already revolutionising training, design, and visualisation. Porsche lets buyers visualise their dream car in showrooms using Vision Pro. In healthcare, hospitals like UC San Diego are using it for high-quality 3D imaging that improves patient care.

Even pilots are training with it, using CAE’s realistic flight simulations. You know something is good when actual jet pilots use it.

Built for the Future and the Planet

Apple has not forgotten the environment either. The Apple Vision Pro M5 uses 100% recycled aluminium in its frame and battery casing, 100% recycled rare earth elements in magnets, and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery. Packaging is fully fibre-based and recyclable, so you can feel marginally better about spending six grand on a headset.

Price, Accessories, and Availability

Now for the numbers. In Australia, the Apple Vision Pro M5 starts at A$5,999, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options. The Dual Knit Band can be bought separately for A$169, and if you plan to travel with it, the Travel Case costs A$349. ZEISS optical inserts range from A$169 to A$249, depending on whether you need readers or a prescription set.

Pre-orders are open now, with in-store availability from 22 October. AppleCare+ will set you back A$649, but for a device that costs more than most people’s cars, that is probably a good idea.

Final Thoughts

The Apple Vision Pro M5 is no longer a proof of concept. It is the real deal. A blend of breathtaking power, refined comfort, and experiences that genuinely blur the line between physical and digital. It still costs as much as a second-hand Commodore, but what you are getting is a glimpse into the next era of computing, and Apple is holding the keys.

If the original Vision Pro was the future, the Apple Vision Pro M5 is the future done properly.

Zachary Skinner

Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.