GameStop has begun listing pre-owned PlayStation 5 Pro consoles for $1,400, a price point that significantly exceeds the cost of a new unit and has ignited discussion about the future of console pricing. For GameStop Pro members, the price is reduced to $1,330. This pricing strategy effectively adds a substantial surcharge over the PS5 Pro's original retail price and capitalizes on the current scarcity of new units.
This move has led to speculation that GameStop might be preparing consumers for the possibility that future consoles, such as the PlayStation 6, could retail for $1,000 or more. Several factors contribute to the rising cost of hardware, including the ongoing chip shortage exacerbated by demand from artificial intelligence development. Sony itself has implemented price increases across its hardware lineup, with the PS5 Pro's official retail price rising from $750 to $900 in April. When the PS5 Pro originally launched in November 2024, its price was $700. The broader Xbox lineup has also seen price hikes, with the Xbox Series S now costing $500. This generation marks a notable departure from the trend of consoles becoming cheaper over time.
Observers have drawn parallels between GameStop's pricing for used PS5 Pros and the practices of scalpers during new console launches. The high resale price also raises questions about the incentive for individuals to trade in their consoles to GameStop when they could potentially achieve better returns through peer-to-peer sales platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay, even after undercutting GameStop's price.
Similar pricing for used PS5 Pro systems is also visible on marketplaces like Amazon and Best Buy, though these listings often represent third-party sellers rather than the retailer directly. GameStop's pricing, however, is officially endorsed on its own website, distinguishing it from many third-party offers.