GTA 6: Sony reportedly asks idle users to sell their PS5

Sony is reportedly emailing PS5 owners with little activity and asking them to sell their consoles, according to HobbyConsolas. In theory, the goal would be more stock in North America before GTA 6 arrives on November 19, 2026.

HobbyConsolas admits it doesn't know the real reason. It floats refurbished stock or a component shortage tied to AI. Sony hasn't published any statement, so for now there are user reports and one outlet collecting them.

Up to 400 dollars for the console plus two controllers, according to ResetEra users cited by HobbyConsolas. The offer reportedly varies by country, so 400 dollars is the highest figure reported, not a fixed price.

The email asks you to send the console in for appraisal and get a payment. HobbyConsolas questions whether the sum is worth it, given what a PS5 costs today. Some ResetEra users say they'd never mail a console in because it could get lost.

Several Spanish users say they received a similar email, HobbyConsolas reports. One mentions a trade-in plan (a plan renove) and Back Market.

That's why HobbyConsolas says the deal changes by country. In North America it's cash for the console and controllers, and in Spain it's a trade-in scheme.

Sony shipped 1.6 million PS5 consoles between April and June 2026, against 2.5 million a year earlier, OkDiario reports from Sony's business data. That's 36% fewer. For perspective, 1.6 million is almost two thirds of 2.5 million.

The figure counts consoles sent to stores, not the ones players buy. The PS5 has passed 95 million units since November 2020, by Sony's count at June 30. Sony also raised the prices of PS5, PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal globally on April 2, citing pressure from the global economy.

Over at Xbox, console revenue fell 14% from July to September, per Microsoft's 10-Q filing of October 28, as OkDiario reports.

If your PS5 is gathering dust, the email is an offer you can ignore or compare. Before sending anything, check Sony's number against what the console costs now, because even HobbyConsolas can't tell whether the math works.

If you just want to play on November 19, you don't need to sell anything. Preloading starts on November 12 at 00:00 local time, and the GTA 6 beginner's guide helps you get the console ready. You can also catch up on what we know about GTA 6 before deciding.

Sony still has to confirm whether the campaign exists, which countries it covers and what it wants the consoles for. Only Sony can clear that up, and the next likely clue arrives with the November 19 launch.

If you get an email like this, keep it and check that the sender is a Sony domain before you ship anything.

Has Sony confirmed it buys used PS5 consoles because of GTA 6?

No. Sony hasn't published a statement, and only HobbyConsolas reports it, based on user messages.

How much does Sony pay for a PS5?

Up to 400 dollars with two controllers, according to ResetEra users cited by HobbyConsolas. The offer varies by country.

Do I have to sell my PS5 to play GTA 6?

No. GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Rockstar Games.