Apple has refreshed Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip, sharper display rendering and a longer-lasting battery. There’s also a new Dual Knit Band that spreads weight better, and visionOS 26 with widgets, upgraded Personas and more Apple Immersive content. In the UAE, the updated model starts at AED 13,999, with 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB options.
M5 performance: faster apps, graphics and on-device AI
Apple swaps in the M5 built on a 3 nm process. You get quicker app loads, smoother system animations and more headroom for complex spatial apps.
- 10-core CPU for higher multithreaded performance
- New 10-core GPU with hardware ray tracing and mesh shading
- 16-core Neural Engine for faster Apple Intelligence features
- Works alongside the R1 chip for ultra-low-latency sensor fusion
The GPU adds hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, so games and visualisations can push more realistic lighting, shadows and reflections. The Neural Engine speeds up Personas capture and spatial photo transforms, and third-party AI apps get up to 2x gains. R1 continues to handle the camera and sensor firehose, ensuring passthrough remains responsive.
Sharper micro-OLED and smoother motion
Image quality gets a quiet but important upgrade: more pixels and better motion clarity.
- Renders 10% more pixels than the previous model
- Refresh up to 120 Hz for reduced blur
- Faster, crisper text and UI across visionOS
Text legibility improves, which helps for long sessions in Safari or productivity apps. The higher refresh rate cuts perceived blur when glancing around your room and makes Mac Virtual Display feel closer to a real monitor.
Battery and comfort: longer sessions, less faff
Battery life sees a lift, and fit should be easier out of the box thanks to a redesigned strap.
- Up to 2.5 hours of general use, 3 hours of video per charge
- New Dual Knit Band with upper/lower straps knitted as one piece
- Flexible fabric ribs with tungsten inserts for counterbalance
- Fit Dial for quick micro-adjustments; S/M/L sizes available
The new band spreads weight and adds a subtle counterweight, which should help with hotspots and slippage during longer use. It’s compatible with the previous Vision Pro and sold separately if you want to retrofit the comfort gains.
visionOS 26: widgets, Personas and spatial scenes
The software update focuses on day-to-day usability and social presence, while opening more creative and pro use cases.
- Widgets pin into your space and persist between sessions
- Persona upgrades for a more natural FaceTime presence
- Spatial scenes add depth to your photos with generative tools
- New Jupiter Environment and broader Apple Intelligence language support
- Apple Vision Pro app coming to iPad with iPadOS 26.1 later this fall for discovery and management
This release also improves media: 180/360/wide-FOV playback from action cameras is supported, and creators can publish these formats to Safari or Vimeo. If you’re deep in Apple devices, the Vision Pro app on iPad will make it easier to queue downloads and find tips. For a broader view of Apple Intelligence on tablets, see our guide to the best iPads in the UAE and what Apple Intelligence unlocks.
Apps, games and Apple Immersive
Apple says there are over 1 million apps available, including 3,000 built for visionOS, plus hundreds of 3D films in the Apple TV app and new series and films in Apple Immersive.
- Home design, fashion and art apps like HomeByMe, Balenciaga, Christie’s Select
- Earth, history and space experiences such as Epic Earth, Explore POV, Space Vision
- Streaming apps scale to a cinema-size screen
- Live NBA games (select markets) coming to Apple Immersive
Gaming benefits from the higher-res displays, low latency and Spatial Audio, with support for popular controllers. Vision Pro also plays nice with PC and consoles via streaming apps. For context on in-home streaming, we’ve covered devices with Steam Link support. And if you rotate controllers between devices, here’s how to pair DualSense to multiple devices and swap fast.
Pro and enterprise: real work in a headset
Creative and business tools continue to mature, helped by the M5’s headroom and on-device AI.
- Artists: Crayon, Da Vinci Eye, Sketch tools with pen support
- Photography: Pixelmator editing with colour-accurate Mac Virtual Display
- Film: scout locations and review spatial media on a wraparound screen
- Presentations: rehearse in a replica of the Steve Jobs Theater
- Logitech Muse digital pencil support lands soon in supported apps
On the enterprise side, use cases span training, sales and healthcare. The pitch is the same: real-world context with digital overlays, backed by secure, local processing.
Pricing, dates and what’s in the box (UAE)
The upgraded Apple Vision Pro starts at AED 13,999 in the UAE. Storage options are 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB.
- Pre-order: now in the UAE
- Retail availability: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
- In the box: Dual Knit Band, Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, front cover, polishing cloth, battery, USB-C charge cable and power adapter
- Accessories: Dual Knit Band AED 399; Travel Case AED 799
- ZEISS Optical Inserts: Readers AED 379; Prescription AED 579
- AppleCare+: AED 1,599
- Logitech Muse digital pencil: orders open Wednesday, 29 October for AED 499
You can book a Vision Pro demo at Apple Store locations where it’s on sale. Demos feature the new band and sample Apple Immersive content.
What’s the real-world battery life?
Apple rates it for up to 2.5 hours of general use and up to 3 hours of video. You can use it plugged in to extend sessions at home or in the office.
Is the new Dual Knit Band compatible with the first Vision Pro?
Yes. It’s sold separately and works with the previous model.
How much sharper is the display?
Rendering now pushes 10% more pixels than before, improving text clarity and fine detail. The headset can also run at up to 120 Hz to reduce motion blur.
Does M5 change gaming?
The GPU now supports hardware ray tracing and mesh shading. That allows richer lighting and geometry. Game streaming via apps like Steam Link remains an option, and popular controllers are supported, including PlayStation pads.
What’s new in visionOS 26?
Persistent widgets, improved Personas, spatial scenes for photos, a new Jupiter Environment, and broader Apple Intelligence language support. The Apple Vision Pro app is also coming to iPad later this fall for easier content management.
