PS5 Pro Used Prices Could Hit $1,500 as GTA 6 Drives Up Console Demand

The PS5 Pro is reportedly becoming increasingly difficult to find, and that shortage is already having an unusual effect on used pricing. As availability continues to tighten, some sellers are taking advantage of the limited supply by listing their consoles at noticeably higher prices.

With Grand Theft Auto 6 approaching, demand for current-generation consoles is expected to rise, and a reported GameStop pricing memo suggests the PS5 Pro could become one of the most expensive consoles to buy on the secondary market. That could make finding one at a reasonable price even harder.

This news is especially surprising considering the PS5 Pro was already considered an expensive upgrade when it launched.

Sony released the system on November 7, 2024, with a $699.99 price tag for the digital-only console. The system did not include a disc drive, meaning players who wanted physical games had to purchase the optional drive separately, pushing the effective cost even higher. The price initially received a strong reaction from players who felt Sony was asking a lot for a mid-generation upgrade.

Since then, however, the situation surrounding the PS5 Pro has changed. The console is now reportedly selling for around $900 new in some markets, while adding the disc drive can push the total cost close to $1,000. More importantly, the system is reportedly becoming difficult to find at major retailers, creating the conditions for used prices to rise significantly. 

GameStop is reportedly getting ready to raise prices on used PS5 Pro consoles, the report said. An internal memo shared online states that pre-owned consoles would see a price change and specifically notes that used consoles would be priced higher than the new version. The memo reportedly lists October 16 as the change date, but the date appears questionable because the report also references October 6, so treat the information cautiously until GameStop officially confirms it. For now, the pricing details should be viewed as unconfirmed.

If the reported figures are accurate, the pricing would be difficult to ignore. The memo reportedly lists a pre-owned PS5 Pro Digital at $1,399, while the disc-drive version would reach $1,499. That would put a used PS5 Pro at more than twice its original launch price, even though the console already costs more than the standard PS5.

The same information reportedly lists a trade-in value starting at $800.

That creates an unusual situation for anyone who purchased the PS5 Pro at launch. If you purchased the digital version for $700, you might be able to trade it in for more than you paid—but real trade-in compensation is likely to depend on the specific conditions and terms involved. Still, the idea that a console could retain or even increase its value after years of use shows just how unusual the current market is becoming.

The biggest factor behind the situation appears to be supply. It’s not being produced or stocked in the same numbers as a regular console, and retailers reportedly have limited units in stock. The system is also pricier for Sony to manufacture because of its additional hardware, including increased memory and a larger 2TB SSD. 

This is where Grand Theft Auto 6 becomes particularly important. Rockstar’s upcoming game is expected to generate enormous demand at launch, and players who don't already own a current-generation console will need to choose between PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series X|S hardware. 

At this point, however, the information provided has not confirmed a dedicated PS5 Pro mode for GTA 6.

The possibility still matters because the PS5 Pro is designed to offer improved performance and image quality compared with the standard PS5. If Rockstar announced a particularly significant advantage for PS5 Pro owners, players already interested in the best possible version of GTA 6 could have another reason to look for the more expensive system.

That would make an existing supply problem even more serious. If retailers already have limited PS5 Pro stock and GTA 6 marketing continues to boost interest, demand could rise faster than supply. In that situation, resellers and retailers with control over used inventory could have more room to charge higher prices.

This situation already has a precedent with the original PS5. When Sony launched the console during the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain problems made it extremely difficult to find in stores. Limited production and high demand pushed consoles onto marketplaces like eBay at dramatically inflated prices. 

The current PS5 Pro situation is different because the console has a much higher starting price and is already positioned as a premium product. However, the underlying supply-and-demand problem is similar. When a product becomes hard to find as a major game approaches, people who want the hardware immediately may be willing to pay well above the recommended price.

GameStop has also been involved in unusual used pricing situations in the past, which makes the reported PS5 Pro figures especially interesting. The report points to the company’s history with Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii, where used copies reportedly sold for significantly more than new copies.

Used pricing gives retailers more flexibility than standard new-product pricing. A new console generally has an established manufacturer-recommended price, while a used product can be adjusted based on supply, demand, condition, and local market factors. That lets retailers react quickly when an item becomes increasingly difficult to get.

The reported PS5 Pro pricing appears to take advantage of exactly that flexibility.

If GameStop can acquire a limited number of used PS5 Pro consoles and believes demand will increase because of GTA 6, it can theoretically price those systems much higher than their original retail value. Whether customers will actually pay those prices is another question, but the reported figures show how confident the retailer could be in future demand.

There is also a bigger concern about what the increase could mean for future console pricing. If a current-generation console can reach $1,400 or $1,500 on the used market because of limited availability and demand for a major game, it creates an unusual benchmark for the industry. It also raises questions about how expensive future hardware might become, especially as console manufacturers continue adding more powerful components and premium features.

For players specifically waiting for GTA 6, the situation could get even more complicated as the game’s marketing campaign continues. Rockstar’s upcoming release will likely keep attention on the platforms that will run it, and that attention can translate directly into hardware demand. The longer players wait to buy a console, the more likely they are to encounter limited stock or inflated reseller pricing.

That does not necessarily mean you need to rush out and buy a PS5 Pro.

The standard PS5 remains an option, and the XBOX Series X is another platform that can run GTA 6. There is also still no confirmation that the PS5 Pro will receive a major exclusive performance advantage for Rockstar’s game. That makes the standard models worth considering for players who mainly want to play GTA 6 without paying a premium.

Until Sony, Rockstar, or GameStop provides more official information, the reported $1,399 and $1,499 figures should be viewed as part of a developing situation rather than an established new standard. More details should become clearer as availability changes and retailers provide additional information about their pricing.

Still, the reported GameStop memo highlights how quickly console pricing can change when supply becomes limited. A PS5 Pro that originally cost $700 may now be worth more than $1,000 on the used market, and the arrival of GTA 6 could put even more pressure on availability.

For anyone planning to buy a console specifically for GTA 6, the safest approach is to watch official retailers and avoid assuming inflated used prices reflect the hardware's normal value. If the PS5 Pro becomes harder to find, paying a giant premium just to secure one early might not make sense, especially when the standard PS5 and XBOX Series X remain available.

The bigger story is that GTA 6 is already influencing the console market before its release. If demand continues to accelerate while hardware availability remains limited, the holiday season could become increasingly difficult for players looking to buy a new system. And if the reported PS5 Pro prices are any indication, the greatest challenge might not be finding the console itself but finding one at a reasonable price.