GameStop Lists Refurbished PS5 Pros at 50% Higher Price Than New Models

In a surprising twist, preowned PlayStation 5 consoles are now commanding higher price tags at GameStop than brand-new units. According to an internal memo leaked to staff, used PS5 Pro systems have skyrocketed to an astonishing $1,399.99 and $1,499.99. These steep figures are already live and visible on GameStop’s official storefront.

While the company has not officially clarified the motive behind this dramatic markup, industry observers largely attribute the shift to the recent breakthrough in PS5 jailbreaking. Dubbed “Relapse,” the exploit enables unauthorized homebrew applications and system emulation—provided the console is operating on firmware older than version 14.00. Consequently, enthusiasts and speculators are aggressively hunting down legacy hardware capable of running the exploit.

Sony Fights Back as Firmware Update Targets Exploits

For individuals seeking unauthorized access to extensive game libraries—including select Nintendo Switch titles—the Relapse exploit represents a major loophole. To mitigate these security breaches, Sony deployed firmware update 14.00 on September 16, bolstering defense mechanisms ahead of the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 and actively blocking jailbreak attempts. Because of this, untainted consoles that bypassed the update have instantly transformed into coveted commodities.

The directive sent to retail personnel outlines that preowned PS5 Pros will command up to $1,499.99—towering roughly $600 above standard retail pricing. Interestingly, GameStop is simultaneously offering sellers $800 to $850 in trade-in credit, meaning current owners could theoretically swap their hardware for a brand-new setup with virtually zero out-of-pocket expense.

With Rockstar Games positioning the PlayStation 5 as the definitive platform for Grand Theft Auto 6, consumer expectations are naturally high for the enhanced performance of the PS5 Pro, adding further fuel to the console’s extraordinary market demand and inflated resale values.

The sudden surge remains slightly perplexing, given that many brand-new units sitting in warehouse inventories may still ship with pre-14.00 firmware, leaving them equally vulnerable to exploits. Even so, despite the lingering questions, GameStop’s aggressive new pricing model for preowned systems is now an undeniable reality.

Sony’s strategic pivot toward a strictly digital ecosystem yields unforeseen repercussions across the gaming community.

Source: Polygon