M5 Apple Vision Pro Launches in Korea and Taiwan on November 28

[MacRumors]

Apple has announced pre-orders are now open for the Vision Pro with M5 chip and Dual Knit Band in Korea and Taiwan, preceding a launch in both countries on Friday, November 28.

Apple's updated Vision Pro moves to the M5 chip, bringing a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine, while retaining 16GB of RAM.

Battery life has been increased to about three hours of video playback, up from 2.5 hours. The displays render 10% more pixels and now support a 120Hz refresh rate for sharper visuals and reduced motion blur.

The M5 also adds hardware-accelerated ray tracing, mesh shading, and up to 50% faster AI performance. Design and connectivity remain unchanged, including the R1 chip, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and the tethered battery.

The updated Dual Knit Band combines two straps in one piece: an upper strap over the head and a lower strap across the back. Tungsten inserts in the lower strap act as counterweights for balance and comfort, and both straps can be adjusted with the Fit Dial.

In Korea, the Apple Vision Pro with M5 chip with Dual Knit Band starts at 4,990,000 won and is available with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacity, while the Dual Knit Band can be purchased separately for 149,000 won.

In Taiwan, the headset and band starts at NT$119,900, while the Dual Knit Band can be had separately for NT$3,490.

Apple launched the M5 Vision Pro on October 15 in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Article Link: M5 Apple Vision Pro Launches in Korea and Taiwan on November 28

 

[Ghost31]

Glad to see it launching in more places. Use mine every day. It’s clear apple is building the foundation for a future mainstream product here

 

[dominiongamma]

Glad to see it launching in more places. Use mine every day. It’s clear apple is building the foundation for a future mainstream product here

Most users will never own this device it’s too damn expensive. I question the future of it honestly

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Most users will never own this device it’s too damn expensive. I question the future of it honestly

It costs the same as the TiPBG4 laptop I bought as my first Apple computer in 2001.

Maybe I’m old fashioned; I saved up to buy my AVP.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

It costs the same as the TiPBG4 laptop I bought as my first Apple computer in 2001.

Maybe I’m old fashioned; I saved up to buy my AVP.

I saved up, and then kept saving, because I'm not gong to waste my money on an AVP.

 

[dapa0s]

So when is it coming to the rest of the world? Are we just going to wait forever? Insane...

 

[Dr32Degrees]

I was a day one adopter of the M2 AVP, and if you were so inclined, you will see that I have sung its praises in these discussions for the past 22 months. Until now.

I am not wealthy - just a middle-class guy living in Christofascist Texas. I had about $1800 in Apple gift cards from items I traded in, and I put the rest on my Apple Card for no interest.

I stupidly assumed there would be a trade-in upgrade path, especially since only half a million of us bought it. I have been an Apple user since I got a used Apple II in the early 80's. I still have a Newton that I use to jot notes down during phone calls and get lots of comments on at work. 30 years ago, I bought my first Apple laptop - a PowerBook - for $2500 that I saved for 6 months. I was a day one iPod and iPhone user. I cannot imagine how much money Apple has made off of me over 4.5 decades.

Not accepting a less-than-two-year-old device that cost this exorbitant amount for trade - I would have been happy with $1200-$1500 - has destroyed my confidence in the AVP platform, and in Apple itself.

So, I took the money I had put aside for the M5 model and paid cash for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset - at half the price of the M5 AVP. And guess what - other than some challenges with hand tracking (the eye tracking is as good as the AVP) that can be fixed with a future software update...it's actually really, really good. In fact, this is what an "Apple Vision Air" should have been. I have the Virtual Desktop app on it, and while text isn't as smooth as the virtual Mac option in the AVP, it is perfectly fine for use with my MBP.

I will never convert to Windows - that would be a step too far. But I will definitely be looking at options outside of Apple's ecosystem going forward. It turns out that with my Cupertino blinders on, I may have missed some really good tech from other companies that would have been just as good as Apple's offerings.

And that might be what "hurt" (if I can be melodramatic) - the Apple that I believed always had its users at the forefront of everything they do has become just another multi-trillion dollar tech company that could give two ***** less about their customers.

 

[Ghost31]

Most users will never own this device it’s too damn expensive. I question the future of it honestly

Ok it’s expensive but the way people have been talking about how “insanely expensive” it is you’d swear this was the price of a car. It’s the price of a specced up MacBook. And the varjo headsets have been thousands more. I get people see the price of the quest 3 and assume all headsets should be that price, but meta is selling it for a loss, it feels cheap and the resolution, UI and technology stack is nowhere near AVP.

You question the future of what. Augmented reality? Or a headset myself and many others put to good use every single day? I sincerely hope in 50 years we’re not still using slab phones and thats as far as we’ve advanced technologically

 

[t0rqx]

Totally forgot the existence of this product.

 

[Hajj.david]

I was a day one adopter of the M2 AVP, and if you were so inclined, you will see that I have sung its praises in these discussions for the past 22 months. Until now.

I am not wealthy - just a middle-class guy living in Christofascist Texas. I had about $1800 in Apple gift cards from items I traded in, and I put the rest on my Apple Card for no interest.

I stupidly assumed there would be a trade-in upgrade path, especially since only half a million of us bought it. I have been an Apple user since I got a used Apple II in the early 80's. I still have a Newton that I use to jot notes down during phone calls and get lots of comments on at work. 30 years ago, I bought my first Apple laptop - a PowerBook - for $2500 that I saved for 6 months. I was a day one iPod and iPhone user. I cannot imagine how much money Apple has made off of me over 4.5 decades.

Not accepting a less-than-two-year-old device that cost this exorbitant amount for trade - I would have been happy with $1200-$1500 - has destroyed my confidence in the AVP platform, and in Apple itself.

So, I took the money I had put aside for the M5 model and paid cash for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset - at half the price of the M5 AVP. And guess what - other than some challenges with hand tracking (the eye tracking is as good as the AVP) that can be fixed with a future software update...it's actually really, really good. In fact, this is what an "Apple Vision Air" should have been. I have the Virtual Desktop app on it, and while text isn't as smooth as the virtual Mac option in the AVP, it is perfectly fine for use with my MBP.

I will never convert to Windows - that would be a step too far. But I will definitely be looking at options outside of Apple's ecosystem going forward. It turns out that with my Cupertino blinders on, I may have missed some really good tech from other companies that would have been just as good as Apple's offerings.

And that might be what "hurt" (if I can be melodramatic) - the Apple that I believed always had its users at the forefront of everything they do has become just another multi-trillion dollar tech company that could give two ***** less about their customers.

Apple has never offered trade ins for itimate products worn on your head. Besides ebay pays nearly double what you were asking for even if you factor the cost of getting insurance in case someone is shizty. Also the underplayed comments about the issues with the Samsung are absolute deal breakers for anyone using the AVP for any decent amount of time.

I use my AVP primarily for work and secondly for entertainment. I wear it for HOURS a day. Unclear text, using unreliable and poor performing remote desktop software, poor eye tracking would all cause me to say "f this" and take off the headset and just use a monitor / work IRL.

 

[Ghost31]

I was a day one adopter of the M2 AVP, and if you were so inclined, you will see that I have sung its praises in these discussions for the past 22 months. Until now.

I am not wealthy - just a middle-class guy living in Christofascist Texas. I had about $1800 in Apple gift cards from items I traded in, and I put the rest on my Apple Card for no interest.

I stupidly assumed there would be a trade-in upgrade path, especially since only half a million of us bought it. I have been an Apple user since I got a used Apple II in the early 80's. I still have a Newton that I use to jot notes down during phone calls and get lots of comments on at work. 30 years ago, I bought my first Apple laptop - a PowerBook - for $2500 that I saved for 6 months. I was a day one iPod and iPhone user. I cannot imagine how much money Apple has made off of me over 4.5 decades.

Not accepting a less-than-two-year-old device that cost this exorbitant amount for trade - I would have been happy with $1200-$1500 - has destroyed my confidence in the AVP platform, and in Apple itself.

So, I took the money I had put aside for the M5 model and paid cash for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset - at half the price of the M5 AVP. And guess what - other than some challenges with hand tracking (the eye tracking is as good as the AVP) that can be fixed with a future software update...it's actually really, really good. In fact, this is what an "Apple Vision Air" should have been. I have the Virtual Desktop app on it, and while text isn't as smooth as the virtual Mac option in the AVP, it is perfectly fine for use with my MBP.

I will never convert to Windows - that would be a step too far. But I will definitely be looking at options outside of Apple's ecosystem going forward. It turns out that with my Cupertino blinders on, I may have missed some really good tech from other companies that would have been just as good as Apple's offerings.

And that might be what "hurt" (if I can be melodramatic) - the Apple that I believed always had its users at the forefront of everything they do has become just another multi-trillion dollar tech company that could give two ***** less about their customers.

Soooo you sold a 4k high end product to buy a 1800 low end product that is less refined and less developed because you were mad at apple for not giving you trade in credit on an m5 version? lol isn’t that m2 already more powerful than the mobile processor on the galaxy xr?

 

[DrNevs]

Meanwhile, in Ireland, their European headquarters…No Apple Store therefore no AVP.

 

[IIGS User]

I think the AVP is pretty cool device, but it's clearly not for everyone. It's fraught with "first world problems".

If you're bitching about not being able to trade it in, or how expensive it is, and you buy it anyway then you all ready had the resources to buy a ticket to get in. It's an early adopter device.

If I had a bunch of Apple gift cards or Jobs Imperial Credits or whatever siting around, I would use them to buy my wife or daughter a new laptop before I sprung for one of these. Or I would buy myself a new laptop an pass my older ones down the line. Which is what I did earlier this year. Me: OT cash for the 16" MBP, wife gets my older M1 MBP, daughter gets late Intel MBP. Daugher's older Intel MBP makes a nice doorstop or Bluey Viewer for the grandson. Actually, now it's "Paw Patrol" this is apparently the new thing with the toddlers. I warned my grandson to NEVER hand his unlocked lunchbox to a puppy in a cop costume and that it's all COPAGANDA designed to make him a good little subject of the state but anyway.

That's a joke BTW. The whole Paw Patrol thing and all. Sometimes you gotta make that clear.

 

[Happy_John]

It’s an expensive item, but the world is filled with expensive items.

Realistically , a desktop setup of 2 Apple Studio Displays and a Mac Mini with a pro chip, or a maxed out Mac Book Pro are around the same price point.

A bigger issue are valid use-cases and, connected to this, lack of software. But again, someone buying now knows they’re buying into a niche product line and are early adopters of a product that has yet to mature.

If someone wants to buy one of these, fair enough. I don’t understand the hate when there is not the same hate towards buyers of a maxed out 13” iPad Pro, where both are very much luxury items.

 

[Happy_John]

. (Deleted - duplicate post)

 

[Dr32Degrees]

Apple has never offered trade ins for itimate products worn on your head. Besides ebay pays nearly double what you were asking for even if you factor the cost of getting insurance in case someone is shizty. Also the underplayed comments about the issues with the Samsung are absolute deal breakers for anyone using the AVP for any decent amount of time.

I use my AVP primarily for work and secondly for entertainment. I wear it for HOURS a day. Unclear text, using unreliable and poor performing remote desktop software, poor eye tracking would all cause me to say "f this" and take off the headset and just use a monitor / work IRL.

As I have posted before - I have used my M2 AVP, primarily in WFH situations, and love it and will still use it. I am not underplaying the XR's handtracking in any way - it has a long way to go to be as seamless as the AVP. But the displays are every bit as good, even at 100 MHz vs 120 MHz refresh on the AVP. And font smoothing will happen with updates.

I agree with you much, much more than disagree when it comes to the AVP - I still think it is ahead of its time. The XR is even more beta-ish than the AVP was when it came out, but there are some truly amazing apps (Google Maps, YouTube) and it needs an infusion of content. I look forward to seeing software iterations with the XR, but for now the AVP is my go-to for work.

And before anyone makes yet another comment about the cost involved, please know that I can understand folks' view on that - 20 years ago, I would have chimed in with you on the AVP price, and it's even worse today with the economic downturn the current regime has caused.

I'm just an old guy near retirement who teaches graduate courses on the side and uses those side hustle funds for the main (only?) hobby I have had since I was 8: electronics and tech. Some guys my age buy motorcycles, boats, get hair plugs, et al. - I couldn't care less about any of that, but absolutely love stuff like the AVP and XR...and fortunately have a very understanding wife.

I miss the MacRumors forums from 10 years ago when I could come in here and debate the specs of a device in a friendly manner...with the AVP, s**tposters just want to talk about the price and how stupid they think all of us are who bought one.

(Also - and I sincerely ask this with no snark intended - what other head-mounted devices has Apple offered and then denied trade-in (in recent years any way)? I have wracked my brain and couldn't think of one (maybe the AirPods Max)?)

 

[Dr32Degrees]

Soooo you sold a 4k high end product to buy a 1800 low end product that is less refined and less developed because you were mad at apple for not giving you trade in credit on an m5 version? lol isn’t that m2 already more powerful than the mobile processor on the galaxy xr?

Thanks for your insight; since your reading comprehension of my initial post seems to be lacking, I'll respond to your questions one at a time below to clarify:

1) I never once said I sold my M2 AVP. I am wearing it as I type this.
2) I consider the XR more of an "Apple Vision Air" than an AVP. I would not call it "less refined and less developed", but the materials have been honed to make it lighter and to lower the cost.
3) As I mentioned, I was the one who stupidly believed there would be a trade-in path; ultimately I am fully aware that Apple owes me nothing.
4) There were multiple ways you could have phrased your questions in a cordial manner to encourage discussion; thanks for finding a derogatory manner to do so. I hope you feel better now.

Also, the fact that you started a sentence with "lol" tells me all I need to know.

 

[Takeo Apple]

Most users will never own this device it’s too damn expensive. I question the future of it honestly

I have M2 and M5 AVP. It’s awesome. It’s not about the price - everything gets cheaper. It’s about experiencing the future now.
First LED or flat TVs cost 20-30k. You forgot that?

 

[Takeo Apple]

I was a day one adopter of the M2 AVP, and if you were so inclined, you will see that I have sung its praises in these discussions for the past 22 months. Until now.

I am not wealthy - just a middle-class guy living in Christofascist Texas. I had about $1800 in Apple gift cards from items I traded in, and I put the rest on my Apple Card for no interest.

I stupidly assumed there would be a trade-in upgrade path, especially since only half a million of us bought it. I have been an Apple user since I got a used Apple II in the early 80's. I still have a Newton that I use to jot notes down during phone calls and get lots of comments on at work. 30 years ago, I bought my first Apple laptop - a PowerBook - for $2500 that I saved for 6 months. I was a day one iPod and iPhone user. I cannot imagine how much money Apple has made off of me over 4.5 decades.

Not accepting a less-than-two-year-old device that cost this exorbitant amount for trade - I would have been happy with $1200-$1500 - has destroyed my confidence in the AVP platform, and in Apple itself.

So, I took the money I had put aside for the M5 model and paid cash for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset - at half the price of the M5 AVP. And guess what - other than some challenges with hand tracking (the eye tracking is as good as the AVP) that can be fixed with a future software update...it's actually really, really good. In fact, this is what an "Apple Vision Air" should have been. I have the Virtual Desktop app on it, and while text isn't as smooth as the virtual Mac option in the AVP, it is perfectly fine for use with my MBP.

I will never convert to Windows - that would be a step too far. But I will definitely be looking at options outside of Apple's ecosystem going forward. It turns out that with my Cupertino blinders on, I may have missed some really good tech from other companies that would have been just as good as Apple's offerings.

And that might be what "hurt" (if I can be melodramatic) - the Apple that I believed always had its users at the forefront of everything they do has become just another multi-trillion dollar tech company that could give two ***** less about their customers.

You know your mistake? You didn’t buy Apple stocks. Everything you ever bought would have been free. And you would be a millionaire.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

When will they launch it in the United States? I feel shortchanged.