Microsoft has increased the price of its Xbox Series X and Series S consoles worldwide, including in the UK, US, and EU, attributing the hikes to rising memory and storage chip costs. This follows similar price adjustments by rivals Sony for PlayStation 5 and Valve for Steam Machine.
Console prices are rising due to AI-driven demand for semiconductors. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have seen significant price hikes, with the PS6 potentially costing $1,000. Sales have dropped, and cloud gaming may offer an alternative.
The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, launching November 19th, faces a significant challenge due to soaring console prices. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have seen substantial price hikes since their release, potentially deterring fans from upgrading their hardware solely to play the game.
Microsoft is increasing Xbox console prices globally starting August 1, with the 512GB Series S rising by $100 and 1TB models by $150. The company cites soaring storage and memory costs, partly driven by AI demand, marking the third price hike for Xbox consoles since early 2025.
Microsoft announced price increases for Xbox Series S and X consoles, effective August 1, citing significantly rising component costs for storage and memory. This move follows Apple's recent price hikes for MacBooks and iPads, reflecting broader struggles within the consumer electronics industry due to supply constraints and increased demand for AI infrastructure.
