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★ The Comparison Desk · Trading Cards
Specs, performance, and user sentiment — head-to-head.
Last updated · March 28, 2026
Apple
VR Eddie Rating
Legendary
The M5 refresh addressed many complaints about the original. It's still expensive, but those who own one consider it a glimpse of the future. Spatial computing applications have matured significantly.
Valve
VR Eddie Rating
Great
Once the king, now showing its age. The Index is still loved for its 144Hz, Knuckles controllers, and Lighthouse tracking precision, but the 2019-era resolution and no standalone mode make it harder to recommend over newer options.
★ The Verdict
Apple Vision Pro (M5) wins overall with a VR Eddie Rating of 90, compared to Valve Index's 71.
The M5 refresh addressed many complaints about the original. It's still expensive, but those who own one consider it a glimpse of the future. Spatial computing applications have matured significantly.
★ Spec Dossier
| Spec | Apple Vision Pro (M5) | Valve Index |
|---|---|---|
| VR Eddie Rating | 90 | 71 |
| Price | $3499 | $999 |
| Resolution | 3660×3200 per eye (23M pixels) | 1440×1600 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90/96/100 Hz | 80/90/120/144 Hz |
| Field of View | 100° horizontal | 130° horizontal |
| Weight | 650g | 809g (with strap) |
| Display Type | Dual micro-OLED | Dual LCD |
| Tracking | Eye + hand tracking, no controllers | SteamVR Lighthouse 2.0 |
| Processor | Apple M5 | N/A |
★ Category Performance
Apple Vision Pro (M5) · What we love
Valve Index · What we love
Apple Vision Pro (M5) · Watch out for
Valve Index · Watch out for
★ Frequently Asked
It depends on your use case, but both are excellent starting points in VR.
The Apple Vision Pro (M5) focuses on If mixed reality and spatial computing are your priority —, while the Valve Index excels at If you already have Lighthouse base stations and love the.
Valve Index supports PC VR, while Apple Vision Pro (M5) also does.
3660×3200 per eye (23M pixels) (Apple Vision Pro (M5)) vs 1440×1600 per eye (Valve Index) — check the specs comparison above.
★ Personalized Fit
Tailored recommendation if you're still deciding between price, comfort, PC VR, and mixed reality.
★ Price Check
Live headset deals so you can compare specs and the actual street price together.
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