TL;DR
Microsoft is emailing inactive Xbox Series X|S owners with offers to trade in their hardware for up to $375. Users are criticizing the low payouts while refurbished units sell for up to $729.
What changed
- Microsoft verified the authenticity of the trade-in emails, clarifying that the maximum payout applies to the Series X while the Series S reaches $200. TechPowerUp ↗
Microsoft is emailing owners of unused Xbox Series X|S consoles with offers to trade in their hardware. The emails direct users to third-party retailers like Best Buy to receive up to $375. Nintendeal on Bluesky first spotted the messages, which multiple users later confirmed receiving on October 20.
The campaign aims to address ongoing supply shortages and funnel hardware to active players. However, users are criticizing the payouts. Best Buy sells refurbished Xbox Series X|S units for up to $729, making the $375 trade-in rate a hard sell for the community. Microsoft has raised console prices multiple times amid production struggles while navigating a broader company restructuring.
Via Notebookcheck ↗ · Also from Tech4Gamers ↗ · Other coverage: Twisted Voxel ↗, Windows Central ↗, TechPowerUp ↗
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