Scalpers hike PlayStation 5 prices following TechTuber's controversial PS5 heat sink discovery

At the end of August, TechTuber Austin Evans posted an intriguing video comparing the differences between a launch/original PS5 (1015B model) and the newly revised PS5 (1100B). Evans entitled his video “The New PS5 is Worse” because it appears Sony has trimmed down some copper and aluminum parts in the cooling system, thus leaving the revised PS5 hotter at the vents on the rear side. While Sony possibly saved some production money with these changes and the 1100B model ended up being 300 g lighter, Evans explicitly stated he would still rather have a launch PS5.

Unfortunately, the popular YouTuber’s words have had something of an effect on the resale market, leading scalpers to up the prices for launch models of the PlayStation 5. While Evans has already posted a follow-up video to address the toxicity he has been blasted with because of his findings, he certainly did not promote the notion that scalpers should utilize his discovery in such a ruthless manner. In fact, even though Evans doubles down on saying if given the choice between a launch PS5 and a revised PS5 he would still choose the former, he also suggests “five bucks” more would be enough to pay for the “small difference” that the 1015 model apparently has as an advantage.

Listings on eBay for the PlayStation 5 have been duly edited to include promotional key phrases such as “1st Gen Launch Model”, “Launch Console 1015A”, and even “Better Heatsink Model”. Of course, the best way to deal with such scalping tactics is by not purchasing from these sellers; however, there are plenty out there who are simply tired of waiting for almost a year to get their hands on a PS5 just to be beaten out by bots every time there is a restock. While Evans discovered the revised PS5 measured 3-5 °C/6-9 °F hotter at the rear, there has been plenty of argument that this is down to a more efficient cooling system working inside the 1100B model. But this hasn’t stopped plenty of launch editions of the PS5 cropping up on eBay for US$1,000+.

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