Apple
Apple Vision Pro (M5)
$3499
Released 2025-10
Best VR Headsets · head-to-head
Apple Vision Pro (M5) vs Valve Index
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Valve Index is cheaper at $999. Every spec and price links to its source.
Valve
Valve Index
$999Cheaper
Released 2019-06
Which is better: the Apple Vision Pro (M5) or Valve Index?
They split the 2 specs we compare evenly. The Valve Index is the cheaper at $999.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Apple Vision Pro (M5) | Valve Index |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $3499 | $999 |
| Brand | Apple | Valve |
| Released | 2025-10 | 2019-06 |
| Display per eye | 3660x3200 | 1440x1600 |
| Refresh (Hz) | 120 | 144 |
| FOV (°) | 100 | 108 |
| Tracking | inside-out (6 world cameras + 4 eye-tracking cameras + 4 IMUs) | Lighthouse 2.0 outside-in (requires base stations) |
| Standalone | Yes | No |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | — |
| Weight (g) | 775 | 809 |
| Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2025-10 | 2019-06 |
Sources — Apple Vision Pro (M5): en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). Valve Index: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Apple Vision Pro (M5) and Valve Index?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Display per eye: Apple Vision Pro (M5) 3660x3200 vs Valve Index 1440x1600
- Refresh (Hz): Apple Vision Pro (M5) 120 vs Valve Index 144
- FOV (°): Apple Vision Pro (M5) 100 vs Valve Index 108
- Tracking: Apple Vision Pro (M5) inside-out (6 world cameras + 4 eye-tracking cameras + 4 IMUs) vs Valve Index Lighthouse 2.0 outside-in (requires base stations)
- Standalone: Apple Vision Pro (M5) true vs Valve Index false
- Weight (g): Apple Vision Pro (M5) 775 vs Valve Index 809
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Apple Vision Pro (M5)
No sourced tester review yet.
Valve Index
Three hands-on testers (RoadToVR, UploadVR, Engadget), all dated June 28, 2019, rate the Index the highest-fidelity PC VR headset of its era: standout off-ear audio, excellent comfort, wide field of view and high refresh rate. All three flag the $999/$1,000 full-kit price versus the ~$400 Rift S. None published instrument measurements. Finger-tracking value split the reviewers. (3 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Best-in-class integrated off-ear speakers deliver powerful, full high-quality audio; Superior visual fidelity: wide ~130-degree field of view and up to 144Hz refresh, clearest image of its class; Index controllers a genuine upgrade over Vive wands with natural grip/finger input.
Flagged: $999/$1,000 full-kit price far exceeds rivals like the ~$400 Rift S; LCD panels show greyish, low-contrast blacks versus OLED; Lens glare/god rays on high-contrast scenes.