Xbox Series X & S Price Hike in October
Microsoft Xbox Consoles Set for Price Hike in October
Microsoft is set to increase the prices of its Xbox consoles, citing “changes in the macroeconomic environment” as the reason. Starting October 3, the one-terabyte Xbox Series S will retail for around $450, while the high-end Series X will cost approximately $650. The special edition two-terabyte Galaxy Black Series X will now carry a price tag of nearly $800.
This is not the first time Xbox has raised prices recently. In May, the company increased console costs in several markets, including the U.S., Europe, Australia, and the UK. At the time, tariffs imposed on imports from manufacturing hubs like China threatened to push hardware costs higher and squeeze profit margins.
As a result of the May and upcoming October increases, the Xbox Series X has seen a total price jump of $150 in just six months—a change that could prompt gamers to rethink budgets amid rising inflation.
“This price increase is less about opportunism or even the cost of software development. Instead, it is the result of tariff increases and rising costs in the supply chain. Hardware is being repriced to absorb new trade pressures,” said Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at NYU Stern School of Business.
Sony, Xbox’s main rival, also recently raised prices for its PlayStation 5 in the U.S., with its top-end PS5 Pro now retailing for $749.99.
Microsoft confirmed that prices for controllers, headsets, and consoles in other markets will remain unchanged.
Industry analysts had expected consoles to be a major growth driver this year, fueled by blockbuster titles like Grand Theft Auto VI and new hardware launches such as Nintendo’s Switch 2.
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