Apple’s Vision Pro feels less like a new product and more like the realisation of a decades-old cinematic dream. We’ve seen the blueprints for this technology in films for years. Minority Report (2002) introduced gesture-based interfaces, imagining users waving their hands to move data around the room. Even Back to the Future Part II had wearable displays before most people had the internet. Floating screens and tech you wear have always felt just round the corner. Now they’re here, and it still feels a bit surreal.
Now that this cinematic vision is real, it’s not without its bumps. S$5,000 is a lot for anyone, the app situation’s a bit sparse, and you’re unlikely to find many people who have one yet. You do wonder if these hurdles will keep it in the realm of early adopters for a while.
But the scepticism around the Vision Pro is fair — and maybe even helpful. Every big tech shift starts off looking a bit odd and costs more than you’d like. Remember how people doubted touchscreen phones? Now we can’t imagine life without them. The Vision Pro’s high price and limited apps are speed bumps, not roadblocks. It’s early days, after all.
There’s a lot of chat about how the Vision Pro looks, how much it costs, and what it might mean for the way we live. These are fair questions. It’s still an odd thing to wear and a big investment for anyone. The features are clever, but whether it will change things for good is something we’ll have to see.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Vision Pro isn’t just a quirky bit of kit, but the latest effort to bring us all closer together, even when we’re miles apart. Films have warned us about going too far with tech, but Apple’s angle is more about connecting people than isolating them. Yes, it’s demanding and expensive, and yes, it stands out. But sometimes that’s the price of something genuinely new.
The main issue with the first Vision Pro wasn’t the idea, but how awkward it felt to actually use. It looked exciting, but could be heavy and a bit uncomfortable after a while. The M5 update doesn’t look massively different, but it goes a long way to smoothing out those rough edges. It’s less of a wild experiment now, and more something you could imagine using properly.
The biggest difference is the new M5 chip. The old M2 version would sometimes stutter if you tried to do too much at once — like running a virtual Mac screen and chatting in Persona at the same time. That wasn’t just annoying; it reminded you that you were still inside a piece of tech, not just having a normal conversation. The new chip definitely makes things smoother.
With the new M5, things finally feel as quick as you’d expect. Apps open up straight away, and the annoying lag when moving windows around is mostly gone. When technology works right, you can almost forget about it and just focus on what you’re doing. That’s what the M5 starts to deliver here. It’s not just about speed, either. The M5’s 16-core Neural Engine is all about making those video chats and digital Personas feel more natural. It’s there to help the tech keep up with how people actually move and react.
The old Persona sometimes felt a bit off, with delayed reactions and the odd awkward movement. The M5 is quicker at picking up your facial expressions and gestures, so those little things — like a quick smile or a nod — come through much better. It’s not perfect, but it does make conversations feel a little less robotic and a bit more real.
Of course, if it’s not comfortable, you won’t wear it for long. The M5 Vision Pro has made some smart tweaks to the original — mainly to the Dual Knit Band, which better distributes the weight. It’s less about making it lighter, more about making it wearable for longer. So now, if you fancy a marathon chat or want to get some work done, it’s actually doable without feeling like you’re paying for it with sore cheeks.
Being able to wear the Vision Pro for longer is a real step forward. It means the tech can finally take a back seat, giving you space to focus on the conversation or whatever you’re doing. Comfort isn’t a bonus here — it’s the basic requirement if this is ever going to be something people actually use every day.
If you want to see why the Vision Pro matters, just look at how far we’ve come with communication. It’s always been about finding ways to feel closer. Letters took ages to arrive; phones sped things up, but you lost the face-to-face bit; video calls give you a window, but you’re still staring at a screen. We’re always after something better.
The Vision Pro M5 is the latest step toward bringing people into your space, no matter how far away they are. When your grandmother can pop up in your living room and actually respond like she’s there, it does feel different. It’s not a substitute for a hug, but it’s a bit closer than a flat video call.
The entertainment side of things is where Vision Pro really shines. The Apple TV app is now more like a gateway, with Apple Immersive putting you right in the middle of whatever you’re watching. There’s a guided intro, so you’re not lost, and then you’re off — checking out MotoGP, wandering in the woods, or watching The Weeknd up close. They’re adding more all the time—skiing, concerts, even live sports. It does start to feel a bit like a glimpse of what’s coming next. You’ll probably hear about it from that mate who always tries the latest thing first.
Movies are a real highlight, too. The 3D library on Vision Pro is impressive, and things genuinely look sharp and sound great. Whether you’re on the sofa or in a hotel, it’s like having your own private cinema. Superman, Jurassic World, How to Train Your Dragon, Wicked — they all look huge and detailed, maybe even better than the cinema. You do have to remind yourself it’s just a headset, not the real thing.
The app situation is picking up, too. There are loads now in the App Store, and more than 3,000 built just for visionOS. That’s where Vision Pro starts moving beyond just films and shows — you can sketch, play interactive stories, redesign your room in 3D, or stream Disney+, HBO, and sports on screens that float in front of you. Games are getting better, and you can even use controllers you already have. The whole ecosystem is growing quickly. If you wait too long, you might find yourself trying to catch up.
The price is still the biggest thing holding most people back. Like most new tech, it’s expensive at the start, and early buyers are the ones taking the leap. They’re not just customers — they’re helping build the future and, hopefully, paving the way for more affordable versions down the line.
What really matters is what people can actually do with it. The M5 means developers can build real tools — like learning apps, realistic remote training, or therapy sessions that feel more personal. If all that comes together, it’ll be a lot easier to see why the investment matters.
Right now, the Vision Pro M5 is still a bit of a luxury, but it’s doing the groundwork for what’s next. With its smoother performance and better comfort, it’s setting the stage for future devices that more people can actually get their hands on. It’s also making us think about what it means to be truly connected, even when we’re not in the same room. If you’re thinking about trying it, this is probably the moment to get in early.
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our December/January 2026 issue.