Refurbished PS5 Pros Are Now 50% More Expensive than New Ones at GameStop
GameStop is charging up to $1,500 for preowned PlayStation 5 consoles
Preowned PlayStation 5 consoles are now more expensive than new ones at GameStop. The news was first shared through a leaked memo to GameStop employees stating that preowned PS5 Pro consoles will now sell for between $1,399.99 and $1,499.99. The new prices are currently showing on the GameStop website.
It's unclear what the reason behind the alleged decision is. Many people online are pointing to the recent PS5 jailbreak case. The "Relapse" exploit unlocks homebrew applications and console emulation, as long as the PS5 does not have the latest firmware update (14.00). The suspicion is that GameStop has raised the price of its used PS5 Pro because gamers will be on the lookout for these older consoles.
Latest PlayStation 5 update breaks piracy method
Relapse is the next-best thing for internet pirates, as it grants access to thousands of video games at no cost, including Nintendo Switch games. To counter this, Sony released firmware 14.00 on Sept. 16, which increased security ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6's launch, including measures that prevent jailbreaking. Consoles that escaped the update could be a much-requested item at GameStop.
A statement issued to GameStop employees revealed that preowned PS5 Pros would now be sold for $1,399.99 or $1,499.99, depending on the edition — making them $600 more expensive than the average new console ($900). PlayStation Pro owners are being offered $800-$850 for their used consoles, meaning they could essentially trade them in for a new one at nearly no cost.
Rockstar claims that Grand Theft Auto 6 is best on PlayStation 5, so it's safe to assume that it would be even better on PS5 Pro, which has contributed to the console's high demand and its recent price hike.
It is strange that GameStop prices went up in a matter of days, especially considering that many shipped-out PS5s still in boxes don't have firmware update 14.00, and therefore are still most likely jailbreakable. Nevertheless, while the reasons remain unclear, the GameStop price hike for preowned consoles is there for everyone to see.