Used PS5 Pro Costs More Than New at GameStop

PS5 Pro shoppers just got a blunt look at how tight supply has become. A leaked internal GameStop memo lists pre-owned PS5 Pro consoles at $1,399.99 for the digital model and $1,499.99 for the version with a disc drive attached, well above Sony's $899.99 list price for a brand-new unit. The memo reportedly calls the higher used price intentional, and it surfaced on October 5, 2026, about six weeks before Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19. Here is what the leak says, what has and has not been confirmed, and why a used console now costs more than a new one.

What Makes the PS5 Pro Different From a Standard PS5?

The PlayStation 5 Pro is Sony Interactive Entertainment's higher-end version of the PS5, and its substantial upgrades follow the mid-generation precedent the PS4 Pro set in previous generations. Sony describes an upgraded GPU with 67 percent more compute units and 28 percent faster memory than the standard model, which it says enables up to 45 percent faster rendering and smoother frame rates. Sony also added advanced ray tracing, which it calls even more powerful ray tracing for reflections and refraction of light, with rays cast at double, and at times triple, the speed of the standard PS5, plus new features led by PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driven upscaler that restores fine details and sharp image clarity on a 4K TV. These performance upgrades are aimed at high frame rate gameplay, with Pro-optimized games expected to reach 4K at up to 120 frames per second on a high refresh rate display.

The rest of the package is more modest. The console has 2TB of storage capacity, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a DualSense wireless controller in the box, with the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback familiar from the standard PS5. It ships as a digital edition without a disc drive or vertical stand, so playing game discs requires the optional disc drive, which Wccftech reported at $79.99 at launch against $29.99 for the stand. GameStop's own product page notes the Pro works with the detachable drive Sony released for the PS5 Slim.

That positioning is why the price jump stands out. The PS5 Pro was never the entry point to PlayStation, but it is a high performance console sold as a premium upgrade, and the leaked used price for the digital model is exactly double the $699.99 launch model price. Special editions such as the 30th Anniversary and Wolverine models are among the consoles named in the memo.

When Is the Official Release Date for the PS5 Pro?

The PS5 Pro officially launched worldwide on November 7, 2024, at $699.99. Sony announced it on September 10, 2024, and opened pre-orders September 26 through PlayStation Direct. The 30th Anniversary edition followed on November 21, 2024, and the list price has since risen to $899.99.

Which Games Show Off the PS5 Pro's Upgrades?

PS5 Pro Enhanced games are where the extra power shows. Per TechRadar, Horizon Forbidden West now delivers visuals that match or surpass the standard PS5's Quality mode at 60 frames per second, and PlayStation Universe credits overhauled upscaling in its Performance mode. Gran Turismo 7 uses PS5 Pro ray tracing during races and adds an 8K/60 mode, God of War Ragnarök gains a PS5 Pro Enhanced Mode that favors quality features at 60 frames per second, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth gets a new Enhanced Mode blending its Performance and Graphics modes. Tom's Guide reports that Digital Foundry called the Rebirth upgrade a vast improvement.

Games without a dedicated patch can still benefit from Game Boost, which VGC says applies to more than 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 games. The Enhanced list has since passed 100 titles, but Newsweek cautions that the label means different things from game to game, whether that is higher frame rates, stronger ray tracing, or other visual enhancements.

What the Leaked GameStop Memo Says About the PS5 Pro

Per TechPowerUp, the memo was shared on the r/GameStop subreddit by someone reportedly working at a store, and it states directly that "the preowned console will have a higher price than the new console," adding that this is intentional. It lists a pre-owned digital PS5 Pro at $1,399.99 and configurations labeled "Physical," meaning the disc drive attached, at $1,499.99, while GameStop Pro members apparently pay $1,329.99 for the base unit. TweakTown reports the same prices apply to special editions, including the 30th Anniversary and Wolverine PS5 Pro models.

The memo also covers trade-ins. It reportedly raises GameStop's trade-in values to $800 for the PS5 Pro and $850 with the disc drive, both above the console's $699.99 launch price from November 2024. A report citing Wccftech adds that GameStop's Product Replacement Plan will not be offered on these consoles immediately after the change, with eligibility expected to return as soon as possible, and that staff were told to update price tags before stores opened.

What Is the Difference Between the Digital and Disc PS5 Pro Prices?

The $100 gap between the two leaked prices comes down to the disc drive. Game Developer describes the higher figure as covering versions with the optional disc drive attached, and notes that the add-on itself is currently unavailable from Sony's direct-sale store. GameStop Pro members reportedly pay $1,329.99 for the base unit, which makes the cheapest reported route to a pre-owned PS5 Pro about $1,330 and the most expensive $1,499.99.

Is the GameStop PS5 Pro Memo Confirmed?

Not officially. Moderators of the r/GameStop subreddit have confirmed that the original poster was vetted, and TechSpot and Tom's Hardware report the memo as appearing authentic. TechPowerUp, while noting that confirmation, advises readers to treat it as an internal leak rather than an official price change, and GameStop has not commented. TweakTown describes the memo as not independently authenticated.

Reports also differ on timing. Most outlets say the new prices took effect October 6, while Notebookcheck noted that the memo refers to October 16 as "tomorrow," which led some Reddit users to question it. Destructoid, checking GameStop's site shortly after the leak, found that listings had not yet changed. Anyone planning a purchase should confirm the current price on GameStop's own store page rather than relying on any single report.

How Far Above List Price Is the PS5 Pro Now?

Sony's list price for a new PS5 Pro is $899.99, so a $1,399.99 used digital console sits roughly 55 percent above it, as TechSpot calculates, and the $1,499.99 disc configuration lands about 67 percent above, or $600 more, according to VideoCardz. Against the console's original $699.99 price, the digital figure is exactly double.

GameStop's trade-in offers tell the same story. At $800 for a digital console, the retailer would be paying more for a used PS5 Pro than Sony charged for a new one at launch. That is a strong signal that GameStop is pricing to what the console fetches on the secondary market, not to anything Sony publishes.

How Much Has the PS5 Pro Price Risen Since Launch?

The PS5 Pro launched in the United States at $699.99 in November 2024. Tom's Hardware notes that the $899.99 list price is up from $749.99, TechPowerUp dates the latest increase to April and says Sony blamed rising memory costs, and Tom's Hardware adds that GameStop had been selling refurbished units for $800 before the memo. The new used price of $1,399.99 therefore represents a jump of nearly $600 for refurbished units alone, and exactly double the original launch price. Game Developer describes the climb as steady since 2024, driven by an AI-fueled crunch in RAM and storage prices.

Can You Trade In a PS5 Pro for More Than You Paid?

Possibly, depending on when you bought it. The reported trade-in value of $800 for a digital PS5 Pro sits above the $699.99 launch price, so someone who bought at launch could come out ahead, while a buyer who paid the current $899.99 list price would take a loss. Because the figures come from a leaked memo rather than a published GameStop offer, it is worth checking the live trade-in quote before counting on them.

Why Is a Used PS5 Pro Priced Above a New One?

The short answer is that new units are scarce. BigGo Finance reports that eBay listings for used units typically close above $1,000, and TechPowerUp points out that GameStop's used price still sits under what a new console costs on the open market today. TechSpot puts the gap at roughly $100 to $150 below those new listings, which means the retailer may simply be pricing to the secondary market rather than to Sony's list price.

Tom's Hardware also notes that retailers generally have more freedom setting prices on pre-owned devices than on new ones, and it is unclear whether Sony requires retailers to sell new PS5 Pro units at or near list price.

One theory has not held up. Nintendeal, the account that circulated the memo, speculated that pre-owned consoles being easier to jailbreak could be part of the reason, but VideoCardz notes there is no evidence tying the pricing to firmware versions or jailbreaking. The supply explanation fits the reported numbers far better.

Where Can You Still Buy a New PS5 Pro, and at What Price?

Per Tom's Hardware, Sony, GameStop, and Target all list the PS5 Pro at $899.99 but are out of stock, and Game Developer adds that PlayStation Direct, Sony's direct-sale store, is unavailable along with the disc add-on attachments. New consoles are available at Best Buy and Walmart, priced at $1,496.01 and $1,554.99. BigGo Finance puts the range at major retailers between $1,495 and $1,585, and Game Developer reports that third-party sellers on Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart have all raised their prices to match.

That leaves shoppers choosing between waiting for list-price stock to return, paying roughly $600 to $655 over list for a new unit from retailers like Best Buy or Walmart, or paying GameStop's used price. None of those options is cheap, and none of the coverage reviewed here offers a restock date.

Why GTA 6 Is Driving PS5 Pro Demand

Game Developer points to Grand Theft Auto VI as the most likely reason PS5 Pro consoles in particular are spiking. The game's November 19 release date is approaching, and it carries a "PS5 Pro Enhanced" label on its PlayStation Store page, which means it supports the console's higher graphical ceiling. TechSpot describes new units as remaining in short supply ahead of next month's launch, and Destructoid suggests GameStop may be trying to capitalize on shoppers looking to buy a console before the game arrives.

Notebookcheck says GameStop is likely anticipating even more demand as launch day approaches. It notes that the studio has not commented on the PS5 Pro, but that players are hoping the console's PSSR upscaling will deliver higher frame rates and better image quality in Rockstar's game. None of the coverage reviewed here spells out exactly what the Pro enhancement includes, so those gains remain an expectation rather than a confirmed feature list. Rockstar's marketing push has also been unusually intense, with limited-edition DualSense controllers and a $399.99 Vice City collector's set already announced, which helps explain why console shoppers are circling the launch window so closely.

Do You Need a PS5 Pro to Play GTA 6?

No. Grand Theft Auto VI launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, and the PS5 Pro Enhanced label means the game takes advantage of extra power on that model rather than being locked to it. For buyers who only want to play GTA 6, a base model PS5 is a supported way to do it, and it costs far less than a used PS5 Pro at the leaked prices.

Memory Costs Are Pushing PS5 Pro Prices Higher

Game Developer ties the PS5 Pro's climb to an ongoing AI-driven crunch in RAM and storage costs, noting that the price has been rising steadily since 2024. Sony's rivals face the same pressure. Xbox has raised console prices multiple times over the last two years, and Nintendo just enacted the first US price increase for the Switch 2, with its president warning that a long-term memory shortage may put pressure on profitability.

Destructoid frames the broader picture more bluntly, arguing that the ongoing memory crisis, tariffs, and general global instability have turned gaming into a true luxury hobby, with people getting priced out at every turn. Whether or not that framing is too gloomy, the pattern is hard to dispute. A console that cost $699.99 at launch now costs $899.99 new when it can be found, and well over $1,300 when it cannot.

Is the Standard PS5 Affected Like the PS5 Pro?

The good news is that the shortage appears concentrated in the Pro. TechSpot says other PS5 consoles remain available from Amazon, Target, and GameStop, with listings it cites between $599 and $649.99 new and pre-owned units starting at $499.99. That is a fraction of the leaked PS5 Pro used prices, and the gap is wide because the higher-end model is the one GTA 6 shoppers are chasing.

What High PS5 Pro Prices Mean for Players and Developers

Game Developer raises a point that goes beyond one retailer's memo. Developers building for the higher-end PS5, whose graphical features let games run smoother at higher resolutions, may soon find their audience limited to high-income enthusiasts if prices keep climbing. That is a real tension for studios investing in Pro-specific enhancements, because the players best placed to see those upgrades are the ones paying the most to get them.

For ordinary shoppers the concern is more immediate. Destructoid points out that GameStop is the largest video game store chain in the US and the place many casual players and parents turn to for birthday or holiday gifts. Notebookcheck notes that critics have condemned GameStop since the leak. A parent walking in and seeing a $1,399 price tag on a PlayStation, Destructoid argues, is exactly the kind of experience that can push people away from the hobby, and it adds that the same money could buy a solid gaming PC.

What Happens Next With PS5 Pro Pricing

GameStop has not commented on the memo, and the coverage reviewed here does not mention a Sony statement on retailer pricing or a restock date. What can be said with confidence is narrower. New PS5 Pro units are largely sold out at list price, the used market has reset well above that price, and GameStop's own trade-in offers show the retailer expects the secondary market to stay strong.

For shoppers, the practical takeaways are straightforward. Check GameStop's live listing instead of trusting a screenshot, compare against the $899.99 list price at Sony and other retailers when stock returns, and remember that a standard PS5 can run GTA 6. With launch day on November 19 and memory costs still elevated, the PS5 Pro looks set to stay one of the hardest game consoles to buy at a fair price for the foreseeable future.