PS5 sales in the United States surged sharply through April 4, 2026, reaching a new record, according to data shared by Circana analyst Matt Piscatella.
This strong jump in sales does not appear to be linked to increased consumer interest in the console itself. Instead, many buyers rushed to purchase a PS5 before the announced $100 price increase takes effect.
PS5 Sales Spike Driven by Upcoming $100 Price Increase
Some of those who bought the console likely plan to keep it for personal use, while others may have purchased multiple units to resell them at a higher price. With the upcoming price rise, resellers could sell each console for around $50 more than what they originally paid, making an easy profit on every unit.
Scalping and resale have become serious issues in the consumer market since the COVID crisis, affecting both new and second-hand products. Similar situations can often be seen in the used market, where items are bought quickly and then listed again the next day at much higher prices.
In the console market, both Sony and Microsoft have done little to stop this practice. When the current generation first launched, resale prices became extreme, and in some cases the PS5 reached more than $1,500 on the secondary market. As long as the consoles continued to sell, the resale situation did not seem to affect the companies’ approach.
