Apple Vision Pro 2 Review: M5 Chip, Better Strap, But a Still-Struggling App Ecosystem

Exploring the refined design and performance improvements Apple brings with the second-generation Vision Pro headset.

Hardware by RereRara on Dec 04, 2025

The second version of Apple's spatial computing headset has a familiar look, a more powerful chip, and a better headband system designed to address the first model's comfort issues.

The Vision Pro 2—whether you call it the M5 version or the late-2025 edition—looks almost the same as the Vision Pro 1. Still, Apple says it is faster, has a better screen, and is more comfortable to use. But the core experience is still tied to a world that isn't quite ready for everyday use.

Apple, Vision Pro 2 Review, M5 Chip, Better Strap, But a Still-Struggling App Ecosystem, NoobFeed

First Impressions

When we open the Vision Pro 2's box, we see the same ritualistic presentation that Apple is known for. Still, the headset itself reminds us of one thing right away: it's heavy.

The way the weight is distributed is still a big part of the experience, and Apple has taken that into account by adding tungsten weights to the back strap system to make it more balanced. Both the new "W" and "W Plus" bands feel stronger, but the "W Plus" band is noticeably thicker.

The long-cabled external battery is back in the box. It can be used for normal tasks for about 2.5 hours and for watching videos for about 3 hours. The difference between the two numbers makes me wonder what Apple means by "general use." Still, the new 40 W dynamic power charger gives me more charging options for my phone.

Along with the protective cover, cables, and modular face-seal system, the rest of the package is identical to the first model. Both headsets look pretty much the same from the outside.

What's Actually New

The M5 chip is the biggest improvement. It improves performance and raises the frame rate to 120 Hz. Apple also says that foveated rendering improvements have led to a 10 percent increase in rendered pixels.

However, the company doesn't say whether this means better picture quality or a wider area of high detail. Any way you look at it, using the method feels better.

Besides the internal improvements, the other big hardware change is the headband. The redesigned band finally fixes many comfort problems, even though it looks a little off—it still has that unmistakable "jock strap energy." Our noses don't hurt like they did with the first model's nose bridge.

Surprisingly, the tungsten counterweight works very well. It spreads the weight out so evenly that the extra bulk becomes less noticeable over time.

You can buy this new strap for about $100 and put it on your old Vision Pro if you already have one. And used Gen 1 units are selling for about $2,000 in some markets, so it might make more financial sense to buy a used headset and a new strap instead of going straight to the M5.

Set up Experience and Passthrough Quality

The setup process is still pretty easy to understand, but a few oddities stand out. For example, it tells you how to put on the headset after it's already on your head.

It's easy to set up hand tracking, and the eye-tracking interface still feels almost magical in how easily it works. Within minutes, selecting parts with small movements becomes second nature.

There is still a lot of great passthrough film out there. Text can be read in real life, though it's not great for long work sessions. The clarity is miles better than on devices like the Quest 3. You can see what's going on around you or check your messages without taking off your headset, but it's still not fun to read long papers through passthrough.

The W Plus band makes a big difference in comfort. Even though the Vision Pro 2 isn't light, we can finally wear it without worrying about weight or pressure points. There is still some small leakage around the nose, but this may be unavoidable for many faces.

Using Apps and Watching Content

Apple's spatial computing platform has some problems that are hard to ignore once you start looking at apps. The App Store is still not very full, and seeing apps with only one or two reviews shows how slowly developers have taken to the site.

People who watch a lot of movies on YouTube still can't get a native app, which is annoying. We finally used the Safari browser, which, amazingly, works well for browsing the web and watching YouTube videos. You can even doom-scroll shorts, but some motions, like swiping horizontally, don't work the same way they do on your phone.

Spatial apps that look like Legos and other 3D experiences are cute ways to showcase the technology, but most still feel like VR tech demos rather than full apps. There are real work apps like Excel, but none seem revolutionary enough to justify the price for regular users.

Apple, Vision Pro 2 Review, M5 Chip, Better Strap, But a Still-Struggling App Ecosystem, NoobFeed

Mac Virtual Display and Productivity

The Mac Virtual Display is still one of the best things about the Vision Pro. When you connect a laptop, its screen appears right away in front of you as a huge, floating monitor. You can change its size, move it around, and switch between normal and ultrawide sizes.

When connected, the laptop screen goes black, so you can't use multi-monitor mode unless you use stands or other setups.

Interestingly, this restriction doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would because I can already open more Safari windows and Vision Pro apps around the virtual display. These dimensions feel like enough screen space for many tasks.

For desktop work like browsing and editing papers, input latency isn't too bad. It's not good for games, but it's responsive enough for work.

Audio Quality and Immersion

The built-in speakers are close to your temples and sound great for voices and lighter music, but the bass quickly shows how weak they are. They just don't have the same depth as real headphones. Luckily, pairing AirPods is easy and quickly improves the soundstage, making media more enjoyable.

Immersive photos look great because they have spatial depth, which makes them feel naturally three-dimensional. But these pros don't make up for the headset's high price on their own. The experience is interesting at first, but it stops being fun when you realize how few apps really use this tech.

Final Thoughts

The Vision Pro 2 feels better in every way than the first one. The speed is smooth thanks to the M5 chip, the 120 Hz refresh rate makes it more comfortable, and the new strap finally solves major fit issues. The passthrough is still great, and the Mac interface is really helpful.

Even though the hardware has improved, the ecosystem still doesn't feel as full or active as it should. There aren't enough apps. Some jobs in the daily workflow are still hard to do. And spatial computing still doesn't have a must-have experience that justifies its high cost.

Should you spend the money on the Vision Pro 2? No, for most people. It can be exciting for fans, developers, or people who already live in Apple's environment. Still, you have to be okay with its still-developing software landscape.

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