Sony Wants To Buy Your Neglected PS5 For Up To $400 Ahead Of GTA 6 Launch, PS5 Pro For $750+
Hey, you there, the one with a PlayStation 5 console collecting dust in your entertainment center. Sony would like a word with you. As the highly-anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI is now just a couple of weeks away, Sony is actively sending out notifications to PS5 owners with an offer it hopes they won't refuse—get up to $400 when you trade in your system. Will you bite?
The timing of the notification comes just weeks after Microsoft teamed up with Best Buy to pester dormant Xbox Series X|S owners to sell their console.
"Haven't played on your console in a while? If you've moved on to Xbox on PC or another way to play Xbox games, it may be time to trade in your console to Best Buy for up to $375 back," Microsoft's message stated.
Sony's messaging is slightly different, as well as potentially more lucrative (more on the trade-in amounts in a moment). Instead of suggesting that a neglected console is better off being re-homed to someone who will actually play with it, Sony gets straight to the point.
"Get up to $400 when you trade-in. Enjoy simple, hassle-free service if you choose to trade in with Back Market. If you're ready to sell your console, you cold soon receive a cash payment into your nominated bank account, Find out how much you could get today," states a message shared by ResetEra forum member JAY_HORROR.
The timing is curious only because GTA VI looms, and the upcoming title is sparking a frenzy of console sales. What's interesting, however, is that even though the consumer market is being ravaged by an AI-driven chip shortage, most current-generation consoles are readily available. For example, a quick peek at Best Buy's listing shows the following:
- Xbox Series X 1TB: $799.99 (in stock)
- Xbox Series X 1TB All-Digital: $749.99 (in stock)
- PlayStation 5 Slim 1TB: $649.99 (in stock)
- PlayStation 5 Slim 825GB Digital Edition: $599.99 (in stock)
Sure, Best Buy attaches the "high demand product" label to both PS5 systems, but they're in stock and easy to find at other retailers, too. That may change the closer we get to GTA VI's launch on November 19 (or November 12 when gamers who preordered a copy can begin preloading), but that's not the case right now.
The caveat is the PlayStation 5 Pro. Good luck finding one at MSRP, even after Sony jacked up the price to $899 (up from $699 at launch). It's out of stock everywhere and restocks have a tendency to sell out within seconds.
Sony's trade-in notification doesn't target PS5 Pro owners, and instead disclaims that the "up to $400" value is for a standard PS5 in Grade 0 condition (flawless, basically) with two or more controllers.
Needing two controllers may sound like a buzzkill, but that figure is based on trade-in orders created between August 23 and September 22, 2026. I played around with the online tool and found that a standard PS5 in great condition with just one controller is worth $408 on trade-in.
The amount varies by console model, condition, and what accessories you have. If you do happen to be ready to part ways with a PS5 Pro, the trade-in offer for one in flawless condition with a single controller is currently $756. That's pretty close to the console's $899.99 MSRP, and it reflects the oddball timeline we find ourselves in. For example, GameStop has the audacity to ask $1,399.99 for a pre-owned PS5 Pro, or $1,329.99 if you're a Pro member.
I've also seen Amazon scalping the PS5 Pro. It doesn't happen all the time, though I saw it happen as recently as last weekend—a PS5 Pro marked as "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com" was listed for $1,644.99.
Wild times, folks. In any event, if you want to see what your hardware is worth to Sony via Back Market, visit the trade-in page and play around with the online tool.
