Microsoft has announced a global price increase for its Xbox consoles, citing “market conditions” as the reason for the change. This follows Sony’s recent price hike for its PlayStation 5 just days earlier. Additionally, Microsoft will raise the prices of some new games from its video game subsidiaries.
On its website, Microsoft acknowledged that these price changes could be challenging for consumers but emphasised that they were made after carefully considering market conditions and rising development costs. Though not directly mentioned, the effects of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on goods from China are believed to be influencing the price hikes. As a major manufacturer of Xbox consoles in China, Microsoft faces 145 per cent tariffs on numerous products under the Trump administration.
In the United States, the entry-level Xbox Series S will rise by 27 percent, from $299.99 to $379.99. The premium Series X Galaxy Black model will see a 22 percent increase, from $599.99 to $729.99. Additionally, certain new games from Microsoft-owned studios will now be priced at $79.99, a 14 percent jump from the previous $69.99.
In Europe, the Xbox Series S will increase by 17 percent, from 299.99 euros to 349.99 euros. Launched in late 2020, the Xbox Series S and X have sold an estimated 30 million units, according to industry analysts. This price increase follows a similar move by Sony in mid-April, which raised the prices of several PlayStation 5 models in select markets, excluding the United States.
