Xbox Series X|S Prices Rise Worldwide Up to $150 Starting August 1
Microsoft paired the price increase with new financing and trade-in programs, aiming to keep consoles accessible despite rising costs.
Reporting from 2 sources: Automaton, Game Spark.
Microsoft announced on June 26 that it will raise prices for Xbox Series X and Series S consoles worldwide, effective August 1. The Series S 512GB model will increase by $100, while the Series X and Series S 1TB models will increase by $150. Production and sales of the 2TB model will be discontinued. Microsoft attributed the price hike to component shortages and rising costs for storage and memory, which it said have more than doubled and are expected to double again by fall 2027. The company noted that game consoles are typically sold below manufacturing cost, making them especially vulnerable to component price inflation. This marks the third price increase for Xbox consoles in the US in a short period, following a $20 to $70 increase last October and a larger increase in Japan in May 2025. Alongside the price increase, Microsoft announced several programs to make consoles more accessible, including interest-free installment payments, a used console trade-in program with retail partners, and certified refurbished consoles sold at up to $100 off the retail price.
The new prices break down as follows: Xbox Series S 512GB goes from $399 to $499, Series S 1TB from $449 to $599, Series X 1TB from $649 to $800, and Series X 1TB Digital from $599 to $750. The 2TB model, which was the highest-capacity option, is being discontinued. Microsoft said the price increases are necessary because the cost of storage and memory components has more than doubled, and the company expects it to double again by fall 2027. The company also noted that unlike smartphones or PCs, game consoles are typically sold at a loss, making them more sensitive to component price swings. This is the third price increase for Xbox in the US in under two years, following a $20 to $70 hike in October 2025 and a roughly ¥20,000 increase in Japan in May 2025. The component crisis has also affected other console makers: Sony raised PS5 prices in 2024, Nintendo raised Switch 2 and Switch prices in May 2026, and Valve's Steam Machine launch was delayed due to parts procurement issues. To offset the higher prices, Microsoft is expanding financing options, including interest-free installment plans at the Microsoft Store and 0% APR financing for up to 12 months on Amazon. A trade-in program with retail partners will allow users to exchange old consoles for cash or store credit, and certified refurbished consoles will be available at up to $100 off.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.