Sony has started nudging some PlayStation owners in the US to sell their PS5, with a PlayStation app notification offering "up to $400" for a standard console. The trade-in runs through Back Market, which inspects the hardware and then sends cash straight to the owner's bank account instead of offering store credit. That $400 figure comes with fine print: it is based on quotes for a standard PS5 in Grade 0 condition, which is basically flawless, with two or more controllers included, collected between August 23 and September 22. PS5 Pro owners are not included in this program.
The timing appears convenient with GTA 6 launching on November 19 and pre-load starting on November 10. Coincidentally, Microsoft also started emailing inactive Xbox owners last month, offering up to $375 for a Series X traded in at Best Buy. Sony's offer looks better on paper, as Microsoft pays out in Best Buy eGift Cards rather than cash. A couple of users who ran the online trade-in estimate got a little over $400 for a base PS5, making the headline number realistic for consoles in good shape. A new PS5 now costs $649.99 after Sony's April price hike, while the $899.99 PS5 Pro is hard to find at list price, and GameStop is reportedly asking $1,399.99 for used units. With retailers already expecting console shortages around the GTA 6 launch, used PS5s will probably sell fast. Owners with an idle console are advised to compare Back Market's quote with local resale prices before shipping it off.
Source: TechPowerUp News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing