Apple’s first Vision Pro hardware update is here, and it’s more than just a spec bump. Sure, there’s an M5 chip inside, but that doesn’t tell the full story.
I’ve been using the new Vision Pro (M5) for the last five days. Here’s everything you need to know.
Dual Knit Band
The most important change to the new Vision Pro is the Dual Knit Band. The original Vision Pro shipped with two bands in the box: the fashionable, engineering marvel Solo Knit Band and the industrialized, practical Dual Loop Band. It was clear from day one that the Solo Knit Band was the band Apple wanted everyone to use, but its single-strap design simply wasn’t practical for many Vision Pro users. The Dual Loop band was less impressive from an engineering perspective (basically just two velcro straps attached to each other).
That’s where the new Dual Knit Band comes in. The easiest way to describe it is as two Solo Knit Bands connected, with one sitting across the top of your head and another on the back of your head. Both of the
What’s particularly impressive about the Dual Knit Band is how easy it is to adjust. There’s a single dial on the right-hand side that controls the fit of the top and back bands. When pushed in, it tightens or loosens the lower strap, and when pulled out, it does the same for the top strap. It’s far better than having to deal with awkward velcro straps.
On paper, the Vision Pro (M5) is heavier than its predecessor. Yes, you read that right. The headset that everyone has criticized for being too heavy has gotten even heavier … but it’s for good reason! That increase in weight is due entirely to the new strap. The bottom strap on the Dual Knit Band has tungsten inserts that are designed to act as a counterweight. When you wear Apple Vision Pro, the weight is primarily on the front of your face because that’s where the headset is. With the new Dual Knit Band, the idea is to better distribute that weight between the front and back.
In practice, the Dual Knit Band is a huge upgrade over the Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band. It’s what Apple should’ve shipped from the start. It’s more comfortable and plush, it’s more adjustable, it’s easier to put on and take off, and it looks better than the Dual Loop Band. I’ve noticed that the counterweight in particular does a good job of taking pressure off my face when wearing Vision Pro for extended periods of time.
My previous setup with Vision Pro was the Solo Knit Band paired with Belkin’s Head Strap. Some sort of solution similar to that setup is what I expected Apple to ship with Vision Pro (M5). I’m glad they went a step further and engineered the far more impressive Dual Knit Band. A comfortable band that is easy to adjust (and doesn’t rely on velcro at all!) is exactly what Vision Pro needed.
M5 chip
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