PS5 Pro deal offers console for £17 a month - but you'll never actually own it
Cash-strapped gamers have an alternative route to owning the latest PlayStation consoles – though it comes with a significant drawback.
The PlayStation 'Flex' initiative operates through partnership with tech rental subscription service Raylo. Promoted as a 'limited time only' proposition, PlayStation Flex functions as a leasing programme offering PS5 consoles from as little as £9.95 monthly.
Providing 12, 24 and 36-month fixed-term agreements – alongside a rolling monthly option for "ultimate flexibility" – the scheme presents various payment methods for acquiring a new gaming system. Beyond consoles alone, the programme encompasses peripherals such as DualSense controllers and the PSVR2 headset.
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The most affordable monthly rate provides a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition featuring 825GB of storage capacity, whilst the disc-equipped PS5 with 1TB of memory begins at £11.59 monthly. Packages combining these consoles with two DualSense Wireless controllers cost merely £1 extra per month, though the PS5 Pro arrangement carries a heftier price tag, as one might anticipate, reports All Out Gaming.
Sony's premium console starts from £16.99 monthly through Flex and Raylo. These lowest prices all require commitment to a 36-month agreement – but there's a substantial catch awaiting customers when payments conclude.
After completing however many monthly instalments across the agreed duration, users face three options: retain the console whilst continuing monthly payments, exchange it for an upgraded device without additional charges, or terminate the subscription and send back their PS5. This means fans stumping up £16.99 monthly over three years will fork out a total of £611 - without actually owning the console at the end.
Whilst Flex does offer a purchase option, the terms are subjective to each agreement. Customers have to contact Raylo at the end of the agreement to discuss a purchase payment for the console they chose.
"You'll own nothing and you'll be happy!"The scheme has sparked outrage among PlayStation enthusiasts who are furious at the prospect of not owning the console after such a lengthy and costly commitment. Reddit users appear unanimous in their response.
One user observed: "So a PS5 Pro to get the cheapest price requires a 3 year commitment and comes to 611 and some pennies. RRP of a PS5 Pro is a little under 700 from Sony but you can find it at other stores for a lot less (Argos has it for 670, one Amazon seller is 630 on sale)."
They continued: "It's not that much of a saving for something you'll never own. And that's just at face value.
"I'd not be shocked if there's some language around fees etc if it's not returned in a particular condition etc."
Another user declared: "IMO it's a scam.
"I can see a lot of hard up parents falling into to get their kids a PS5 for Christmas but that's nothing new sadly."
A third chimed in: "Of course, it's a scam, leasing, renting or taking credit on something always make you pay more in the end.
"It only makes sense for essential purchases too big to be paid directly like a house" Someone else remarked: "As the saying goes: You'll own nothing and you'll be happy!"
A fifth person on Reddit chimed in: "Just the overall push to lease things sucks so much. Feels like we're owning less and less stuff as things get more and more expensive to own and companies try to just get a monthly fee instead of just selling us something once."
Yet one user presented an alternative perspective, saying: "I don't think its a bad deal."
They continued: "Get it now, play all the games you want over 3 years and by then next gen is probably out. Resell value is a trade off vs being able to own it and play it now + full insurance."
The commenter went on: "It's not for me but I can see it being a decent option for some people. If you can get the 3 year price for 1 year then its a fantastic deal imo. Get it play all the games you want then return it."
A Raylo spokesperson said: "“PlayStation Flex, offered through Raylo, is a subscription service - not a way to own a console outright. It is designed for people who want flexible access to premium consoles without committing to long-term ownership.
"Subscribers pay a low monthly subscription instead of a large upfront cost and can return their console at any time or upgrade when new products are released - which is why customers love it.”
PlayStation has been contacted for comment.
PlayStation Flex prices