M2 vs. M5 Vision Pro: 20+ Differences Compared

Apple has refreshed the Vision Pro headset with a new M5 chip, but the hardware changes beyond this and the headband are minimal. The M5 chip significantly enhances performance by utilizing TSMC's 3nm process and an A19 Pro chip derived from the iPhone 17 Pro. This upgrade includes a more powerful 10-core CPU, a new GPU architecture with integrated Neural Accelerators, and enhanced ray tracing capabilities. The M5 Vision Pro also features LPDDR5X memory with increased bandwidth and supports AV1 decode for better video playback. These internal improvements lead to a higher refresh rate of up to 120Hz and 10% more rendered pixels for smoother visuals. Battery life sees a slight increase, offering up to 3 hours of use, and a more powerful 40W adapter is included. Despite the improvements, the new model is not classified as a second-generation device, indicating its incremental nature. Crucially, the cameras, sensors, and displays remain the same as the M2 model. For existing M2 owners, the upgrade is recommended for developers and professionals who heavily utilize the headset's capabilities. New buyers seeking longevity and future-proofing may prefer the M5 version, while the M2 offers better value for initial adoption. The M5 model, while more powerful, does not fundamentally alter the user experience for casual use.