# Improvements in the Second Generation Apple Vision Pro
The second generation Apple Vision Pro brings numerous important upgrades designed to enhance user experience. Below is a comprehensive summary of the primary improvements.
## Dual Knit Band
A key enhancement in the latest Apple Vision Pro is the introduction of the Dual Knit Band. The initial model received feedback regarding comfort, which Apple has remedied with a reimagined strap. The Dual Knit Band boasts a back-and-top construction inspired by the original Solo Knit Band, enabling accurate adjustments with a single Fit Dial.
The back strap comes with integrated tungsten weights, which act as a counterbalance to improve comfort and stability. This configuration helps lessen facial pressure by lifting the device upward.
Apple characterizes the Dual Knit Band as follows:
> “The Dual Knit Band provides an even more comfortable fit for users. It incorporates upper and lower straps that are 3D-knitted as a singular piece to form a distinctive dual-rib structure that offers cushioning, breathability, and flexibility. The lower strap features pliable fabric ribs with embedded tungsten inserts that deliver a counterweight for enhanced comfort, balance, and stability. The new Dual Knit Band is available in small, medium, and large sizes; sold separately; and is compatible with the prior-generation Apple Vision Pro.”
Notably, the new Dual Knit Band is also suitable for the original Apple Vision Pro.
## New M5 Chip
The upgrade to the M5 chip signifies another major improvement for the Apple Vision Pro. The previous model was powered by the M2 chip, which many users found to be insufficient in performance. The M5 chip offers significant enhancements, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, allowing for richer graphics and realistic lighting in applications and games.
The M5 chip has an increased number of CPU cores, adding two efficiency cores compared to the M2. This enhancement results in quicker app loading times and better responsiveness in visionOS. Furthermore, the M5 chip boosts AI and machine learning capabilities with a new 16-core Neural Engine, achieving up to 50% faster performance for system features and up to 2x faster performance for third-party applications.
## Displays and Visuals
Although the micro-OLED screens remain the same, the M5 chip improves visual performance. The new visionOS can now render 10% more pixels, resulting in clearer and sharper visuals. The Apple Vision Pro is now capable of achieving a refresh rate of 120Hz when using passthrough or Mac Virtual Display, an advancement from the previous maximum of 100Hz. This upgrade helps minimize motion blur during passthrough viewing.
## Battery Life
The efficiency of the M5 chip also leads to enhanced battery life. Users can look forward to an additional 30 minutes of use:
– Up to 2.5 hours of general use, rising from 2 hours.
– Up to 3 hours of video playback, an increase from 2.5 hours.
Apple continues to assure “all day usage while plugged in.”
## Included Accessories
The packaging of the new Apple Vision Pro has been simplified. Instead of including the Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band, the new model comes with the Dual Knit Band. Other bands are still available for purchase. Additionally, the former 30W charger has been substituted with a new 40W-60W dynamic power adapter.
Included accessories continue to comprise the battery, a front cover, a polishing cloth, an extra Light Seal Cushion, and a 1.5m USB-C charging cable.
## Conclusion
The new Apple Vision Pro is available for preorder and will hit stores on October 22. The Dual Knit Band is also up for preorder and will debut on the same date. Additionally, Apple has announced that the Logitech Muse pencil will be available on October 22, with PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers slated for release on November 11.
