Sony is reportedly sending notifications to PlayStation 5 owners in the United States encouraging them to trade in consoles they no longer use. The messages advertise potential cash payouts of up to $400 for a standard PS5 accompanied by two DualSense controllers, with transactions handled through third-party resale platform Back Market.
The notifications surfaced in a ResetEra discussion on November 2, 2026. While Sony has not separately announced a new PS5-specific promotional campaign, its existing partnership with Back Market is established, and the resale platform independently advertises trade-in valuations of up to $400 for PS5 consoles.
The advertised amount is a maximum rather than a guaranteed payment. Back Market uses professional refurbishers to assess devices, with valuations depending on factors including console model, storage capacity, physical condition and included accessories. Owners submitting a standard PS5 with two controllers may qualify for a higher valuation than those trading in a console without accessories.
Back Market’s US console trade-in service allows customers to request an initial valuation online before shipping their hardware for inspection. The company provides free shipping and pays sellers through bank transfers after the receiving refurbisher verifies the device’s condition. If the inspected hardware differs from its original description, the final offer may change.
The reported notifications should not be confused with Sony’s existing Trade In & Trade Up programme for PlayStation 4 owners. That initiative allows eligible customers to exchange older PS4 systems for cash through Back Market while receiving a separate $50 voucher toward selected PlayStation hardware purchases. The newly circulated PS5 messaging instead focuses on turning unused current-generation consoles into cash.
For owners considering selling their hardware, the decision also means giving up access to their existing PS5 console. PlayStation continues to support the platform through releases such as the PS5 firmware 14.22 security update, alongside upcoming software releases and accessories.
The trade-in campaign appears to be directed at US customers, and there is no verified announcement of an equivalent $400 offer in other regions. Sony has also not publicly specified how many PS5 owners received the notifications or whether the messaging is part of a broader promotional rollout.
Owners interested in the offer should check their individual valuation through Back Market before sending a console. The $400 figure represents an advertised upper limit, and the final payout depends on the specific hardware and its assessed condition.
