Sony raises price of PS5 in the US amid ‘challenging economic environment’
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Sony raises price of PS5 in the US amid ‘challenging economic environment’
Sony is raising the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S. starting Aug. 21. The recommended retail price of the PlayStation 5 will now be $549.99. This is an increase of $50 for each console.
In , the Vice President of Global Marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment, the recommended retail price of the PlayStation 5 will now be $549.99, the Digital Edition will be $499.99, and the Pro edition will be $749.99. This is an increase of $50 for each console.
The Tokyo-based company says the price increase comes as they “continue to navigate a challenging economic environment.”
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The release also stated the prices for PS5 accessories will be unchanged, and the price increase is only for the U.S.
The move comes as President Trump’s tariff policy .
Earlier this year, Nintendo announced a price increase for its “Switch” consoles, and Microsoft has not yet announced its price for its new and ROG Xbox Ally X handheld systems being produced by Asus.
On Wednesday, they are holding off on naming their price because the companies still needed “more time to figure out the macro-economic impact to pricing.”
GameStop Counters Sony’s $50 PS5 Price Increase With Limited-Time Trade-In Bonus Amid Tariff Pressures – GameStop (NYSE:GME)
Sony announced on Wednesday that PS5 console prices will increase $50 effective August 21. GameStop immediately countered with a social media campaign declaring “GameStop has your back.” The retailer offers an additional $50 trade-in credit when customers trade any PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, or Nintendo Co.’s NTDOY Nintendo Switch toward a new PS5 purchase through August 24. The current 30% China tariffs could affect console pricing strategies.
Sony Implements Price Increase Citing Economic Challenges
Sony announced on Wednesday that PS5 console prices will increase $50 effective August 21, with the standard PS5 now priced at $549.99 and the Digital Edition at $499.99. The PS5 Pro jumped to $749.99.
“Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment,” said Isabelle Tomatis, Sony’s Vice President of Global Marketing, in a PlayStation blog post.
See Also: Robinhood Unveils Cortex AI Tool ‘Digests’ In UK, Bringing Real-Time Stock Explanations To Everyday Investors After 95% US Approval
GameStop Launches Counter-Promotion
GameStop immediately countered with a social media campaign declaring “GameStop has your back.” The retailer offers an additional $50 trade-in credit when customers trade any PS4, Microsoft Corp. MSFT owned Xbox One, Xbox Series, or Nintendo Co.‘s NTDOY Nintendo Switch toward a new PS5 purchase through August 24.
The promotion requires complete consoles with controllers, HDMI and power cables in working condition. Trades must occur in the same transaction as the PS5 purchase.
Tariff Impact Drives Manufacturing Concerns
Sony faces potential $680 million tariff impacts, according to May earnings reports. The company manufactures most PS5 units in China, making them vulnerable to trade policy changes.
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki indicated the company considers moving PlayStation production to the U.S., calling it “an efficient strategy” to offset tariffs. The current 30% China tariffs could affect console pricing strategies.
Market Implications For The Gaming Sector
The U.S. represents 29% of Sony’s revenue, with 18.5 million PS5 units shipped in the past 12 months.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Jillian Cain Photography / Shutterstock
Sony raises price of PS5 in the US amid ‘challenging economic environment’
Sony is raising the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S. starting Aug. 21. The recommended retail price of the PlayStation 5 will now be $549.99. This is an increase of $50 for each console.
In , the Vice President of Global Marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment, the recommended retail price of the PlayStation 5 will now be $549.99, the Digital Edition will be $499.99, and the Pro edition will be $749.99. This is an increase of $50 for each console.
The Tokyo-based company says the price increase comes as they “continue to navigate a challenging economic environment.”
RELATED |
The release also stated the prices for PS5 accessories will be unchanged, and the price increase is only for the U.S.
The move comes as President Trump’s tariff policy .
Earlier this year, Nintendo announced a price increase for its “Switch” consoles, and Microsoft has not yet announced its price for its new and ROG Xbox Ally X handheld systems being produced by Asus.
On Wednesday, they are holding off on naming their price because the companies still needed “more time to figure out the macro-economic impact to pricing.”
Sony Hikes PlayStation 5 Prices By $50 In US Amid Trump’s Tariffs
Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump hike the cost of goods brought into the US. Sony says it is bumping up the price of PlayStation 5 video game consoles by $50. The new price for PS5 will be $550, with a “Digital Edition” priced at $500 and a Pro version for $750. In May, Sony warned it was considering tweaking prices in the US, estimating that tariffs could wind up costing the company about $680 million in the fiscal year.
Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump hike the cost of goods brought into the US, leaving companies like Japan’s Sony to decide whether to pass that on to consumers.
“Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment,” Sony Interactive Entertainment vice president of global marketing Isabelle Tomatis said in a post.
After initially being threatened with a 25 percent hike, Japan negotiated a 15 percent tariff with the Trump administration.
“As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US.”
The new price for PS5 will be $550, with a “Digital Edition” priced at $500 and a Pro version for $750, according to Tomatis.
In May, Sony warned it was considering tweaking prices in the US, estimating that tariffs could wind up costing the company about $680 million in the fiscal year.
American companies are feeling the crunch, too.
New York-based cosmetics giant Estee Lauder recently estimated the impact of the new tariffs at around $100 million for the 2026 financial year and plans to adjust its prices to offset the additional cost.
US snack giant PepsiCo could increase prices of its soft drinks about 10 percent to mitigate effects of US tariffs, particularly those on imported aluminum used to make soda cans, according to trade magazine Beverage Digest.
Meanwhile, California-based energy drink maker Monster Beverages is considering raising prices due to a “complex and dynamic customs landscape,” according to chief executive Hilton Schlosberg.
The Commerce Department this week said the US broadened its steel and aluminum tariffs, impacting hundreds more products that contain both metals such as child seats, tableware and heavy equipment.
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has imposed tariffs on almost all US trading partners.
Though the impact of Trump’s tariffs on consumer prices has been limited so far, economists warn that their full effects are yet to be seen.
Some businesses have coped by bringing forward purchases of products they expected will encounter tariffs. Others have passed on additional costs to their consumers, or absorbed a part of the fresh tariff burden.
PS5 Price Hike Announced in US: Full Console Price List and Why Sony Raised Costs
Sony has announced a price hike for the PlayStation 5 in the US, effective August 21. The change will affect all PS5 models, though accessory prices remain unchanged. Sony had previously increased PS5 prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand in April, signaling that similar adjustments were likely. Xbox and Nintendo Follow Suit, with the Xbox Series X Digital Edition now at $549.99.
“ Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US starting on August 21, ” said Isabelle Tomatis, Vice President of Global Marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment.
New PlayStation 5 Retail Prices → Effective August 21
♦ PlayStation 5 Standard Edition → ★ $549.99
♦ PlayStation 5 Digital Edition → ★ $499.99
♦ PlayStation 5 Pro → ★ $749.99
Why the Price Hike? → Inflation, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Pressure
The adjustment comes amid:
♦ Global inflationary pressures
♦ Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports from major tech manufacturing hubs like China and Japan
♦ Rising production and material costs, alongside supply chain disruptions
Sony had previously increased PS5 prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand in April, signaling that similar adjustments in the US were likely. By May, Sony hinted it was evaluating further hikes to offset tariff costs.
Industry-Wide Impact → Xbox and Nintendo Follow Suit
♦ Microsoft raised Xbox hardware and accessory prices earlier this year, with the Xbox Series X Digital Edition now at $549.99.
♦ Nintendo has increased Switch accessory prices and, earlier this month, raised the cost of the original Switch console ahead of its Switch 2 launch, also citing tariff impacts.
With holiday season shopping approaching, gamers are voicing frustration on social media, calling the move another blow to their wallets.