Microsoft's Second US Price Hike in 5 Months Sends 2TB Xbox Series X to $800 — PS5 Pro Suddenly Looks Like the Bargain
Acknowledging the pain ahead, leadership is pressing on with a sweeping overhaul, insisting short-term disruption is the price of long-term stability.
So about that old idea that tech gets cheaper the longer it sticks around: yeah, not here. Microsoft is bumping Xbox console prices in the US again, and it has been less than five months since the last hike.
What Microsoft is doing (and when)
Microsoft says it is updating the recommended retailer pricing for Xbox Series X and S consoles in the United States. The new pricing kicks in on October 3.
'Beginning on October 3, we will update the recommended retailer pricing for Series S and Series X consoles in the United States due to changes in the macroeconomic environment,' Microsoft said in its announcement. 'We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and providing value for Xbox players.'
Quick translation: MSRP is going up. Retailers will do what retailers do, but this is the new baseline.
US-only this time, and accessories are spared
The last price bump was in May and it hit globally. This round is US-only. Also, no changes to first-party headsets or controllers in this update.
The new prices (and how much they have climbed)
- Xbox Series X 2TB — $799.99 (up from $729.99, previously $599.99)
- Xbox Series X — $649.99 (up from $599.99, previously $499.99)
- Xbox Series X Digital — $599.99 (up from $549.99, previously $449.99)
- Xbox Series S 1TB — $449.99 (up from $429.99, previously $349.99)
- Xbox Series S 512GB — $399.99 (up from $379.99, previously $299.99)
Bottom line: compared to about six months ago, you are looking at roughly $100 to $200 more for an Xbox, depending on the model.
The PS5 angle
Silver lining for Sony: the PS5 Pro no longer holds the crown for the most expensive mainstream console on sale right now. The Xbox Series X 2TB at $799.99 takes that honor. That said, Sony is not magically immune to price creep either, and there is no guarantee PlayStation prices will stand still.
Why this is happening (and the not-so-secret subtext)
Microsoft points to the macroeconomic environment, which is corporate-speak for: costs, currency, tariffs, and everything else making hardware pricier. The tariffs part everyone warned about? Yeah, this is what it looks like when it lands on the shelf tag.
And if you want to get a little inside baseball: the more expensive consoles get, the better Xbox looks pitching you on the cloud and Game Pass as the place to actually play. Microsoft keeps saying 'play across any screen' for a reason. None of this is proof of a master plan to push you off consoles, but the price trend certainly does not fight that narrative.