Apple has confirmed that the first-generation Vision Pro cannot be traded in toward the new M5 model or any other Apple product. The update comes directly from Apple’s press materials, where the fine print now reads, “Apple Vision Pro is not eligible for trade-in.”
The timing is notable. Today marks the launch of Apple’s new M5-equipped Vision Pro, alongside the latest M5 MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models. While the new headset delivers better performance, smoother 120Hz visuals, and a more comfortable Dual Knit Band, early adopters of the $3,499 first-generation Vision Pro are out of luck if they were hoping for upgrade credit.
This marks a rare break from Apple’s usual upgrade strategy. The company’s trade-in program has long made it easier for users to upgrade iPhones, Macs, and iPads by offering instant credit toward new purchases. For the Vision Pro, however, that system does not apply. Customers who bought the original M2 model at launch now face the same full $3,499 cost if they want the M5 version.
That has left some early buyers frustrated. Many had assumed Apple would eventually allow the first Vision Pro to be traded in like other flagship products. Instead, owners are left to sell privately on resale platforms such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or through third-party buy-back services that have already begun listing the headset at variable offers.
There are technical and strategic reasons behind the decision. The Vision Pro’s highly customized hardware and advanced optical systems make refurbishment difficult and expensive, especially for Apple’s third-party trade-in partners. But there is also a bigger story: Apple appears to be treating the Vision Pro less like a mass-market gadget and more like professional-grade equipment.
In that sense, the no-trade-in move fits the product’s positioning. Apple is signaling that this headset is meant to be a long-term investment, much like a high-end camera or production workstation, rather than something swapped out every year. Each new generation is expected to bring major leaps in capability instead of incremental upgrades.
Industry watchers, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, have indicated that Apple is prioritizing premium Vision Pro models before exploring lower-priced variants. Reports suggest that plans for a more affordable Vision headset, once rumored to cost around $2,000, have been put on hold. Apple’s focus now is refining spatial computing for professionals before making it mainstream.
For early Vision Pro owners, that means rethinking upgrade timing. Without trade-in incentives, upgrading to the M5 headset effectively costs the same as buying new. Some users will likely hold off until a future generation delivers more transformative changes. Others, especially those using the headset for design, media, or visualization work, may find the performance gains worth the cost.
