If you were planning to get an Xbox, you may be too late for the best price. Microsoft has announced a global price hike for its consoles and controllers. This change won’t affect Xbox Game Pass—for now—but Microsoft does plan to raise prices on first-party games later this year, from $69.99 to $79.99. The announcement comes at a sensitive time for the industry, as the U.S. and China remain locked in a trade war.
Microsoft’s Xbox Series S (512GB) model will jump from $299.99 to $379.99—an $80 increase for a console known for its low entry cost. The Xbox Series S 1TB model will now cost $429.99, and the Xbox Series X digital edition will be priced at $549.99. The 2TB Galaxy Black special edition model will climb to $729.99, solidifying its place as the most expensive console in Microsoft’s current lineup.
Wireless controllers aren’t spared, either. The base controller now costs $64.99, and the Xbox Wireless Headset rises to $119.99. Microsoft confirmed that—for now—these changes only affect the U.S. and Canada. The table below list all updated prices.
Product |
New price |
---|---|
Xbox Series S 512 |
$379.99 |
Xbox Series S 1TB |
$429.99 |
Xbox Series X Digital |
$549.99 |
Xbox Series X |
$599.99 |
Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition |
$729.99 |
Xbox Wireless Controller (Core) |
$64.99 |
Xbox Wireless Controller (Color) |
$69.99 |
Xbox Wireless Controller – Special Edition |
$79.99 |
Xbox Wireless Controller – Limited Edition |
$89.99 |
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core) |
$149.99 |
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full) |
$199.99 |
Xbox Stereo Headset |
$64.99 |
Xbox Wireless Headset |
$119.99 |
In addition to consoles and accessories, Microsoft announced that some of its games will get a price bump during the Christmas campaign, increasing from $69.99 to $79.99. It’s another sign that the cost of major titles continues to rise. This move echoes anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 releases, some of which are expected to launch at higher-than-usual prices. Xbox Game Pass pricing remains unchanged—for now.
The company said, “These changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players.” Although Microsoft didn’t directly mention tariffs, the broader context is hard to ignore: Growing tensions between the U.S. and China are affecting international pricing. Gamers should expect more adjustments ahead.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft isn’t the only company raising prices. Sony also increased the cost of its PlayStation 5 console in Europe and the UK last month, bumping the price of the digital edition by 10%.
Image | Kamil Switalski (Unsplash)
View 0 comments