visionOS 27 introduces a major leap in Siri AI capabilities, but Apple’s M2 Vision Pro owners face notable drawbacks. The update brings personalized spatial environments and a redesigned Control Center, yet the AFM 3 Core Advanced on-device AI model—critical for voice customization—remains exclusive to the newer M5 Vision Pro. This split means M2 users can’t adjust Siri’s tone or pace, relying instead on slower Cloud Compute for Apple Intelligence. While most features roll out universally, this limitation highlights a growing divide between Apple’s hardware generations.

The core issue stems from hardware constraints: the M2 chip simply can’t handle the AFM 3 Core Advanced model required for advanced voice personalization. This forces M2 Vision Pro users into a hybrid system where basic Siri functions work locally, but complex tasks offload to Apple’s servers. For a device just two years old, this fragmentation is frustrating, especially as even last year’s iPhone 17 base model shares similar restrictions. The $169 AirPods Pro 3 discount offers a minor consolation, but it doesn’t address the core performance gap between M2 and M5 systems.

This divide underscores a broader trend in Apple’s strategy: prioritizing cutting-edge AI features for newer devices while leaving older models with partial support. For consumers, it means upgrading to the M5 Vision Pro isn’t just about hardware—it’s about accessing the full breadth of Apple Intelligence. Meanwhile, M2 users may find themselves stuck with incremental improvements rather than transformative ones. The lack of voice customization, in particular, weakens Siri’s utility on a platform designed for voice-first interaction. As visionOS 27 rolls out this fall, the gap between device tiers could redefine how users experience spatial computing.