If you’ve been holding off on buying a PlayStation 5, there’s some bad news: the console is about to cost more.
Starting today, Sony is raising the price of every PS5 model in the United States by $50. The standard disc version will now retail for $549.99, the digital edition goes for $499.99, and the high-end PS5 Pro jumps to $749.99.
Accessories like controllers, headsets, and PSVR2 gear are unaffected, but every version of the console, including the slimmer PS5 redesigns, falls under this new pricing.
Traditionally, PlayStation consoles either keep their launch price steady or get cheaper over time as technology becomes more affordable. The PS2 famously launched at $299 and held that price before discounts made it a mass-market phenomenon.
The PS4 was stuck at $399 for years before bundles and sales brought it lower. Even the PS3, which debuted with a $599 price tag in 2006, eventually dropped in price to encourage adoption.
However, the PS5 is breaking that trend. Instead of sliding down in cost, it’s climbing. What was once a $499 flagship console in 2020 will now set you back $549 five years later.
And while the newer Pro model was already the priciest PlayStation ever, the $749 tag makes it feel more like a premium investment than a mainstream console.
Why Is Sony Raising PS5 Prices?
Sony says the increase is due to a “challenging economic environment,” which mainly means higher production costs and tariffs.
The company had delayed this by stockpiling consoles in the US and spreading out its manufacturing, but those measures are no longer enough.
Consoles made in Japan face a 15% tariff, while those from China face up to 30%. With these added costs, Sony is now passing the expense to buyers.
Microsoft already increased prices on Xbox consoles and even some games earlier this year, citing similar “market conditions.”
Nintendo, meanwhile, raised the cost of the original Switch in early August and even delayed pre-orders for the upcoming Switch 2 to avoid taking a direct hit from tariffs.
Sony has confirmed that games themselves remain at the standard $69.99, and subscription services like PlayStation Plus are unaffected for now.
Still, with Microsoft already raising the price of Game Pass this year, many analysts believe Sony may eventually review its own services, meaning PlayStation Plus could be the next battleground.
Right now, the increase only applies to the US, where tariffs are raising costs.
Read: Trump’s Tariffs Could Make GTA 6 More Expensive
Regions like Europe, Asia, and Africa, including Kenya, haven’t seen official adjustments yet, but Sony has indicated it may “review pricing in other markets if necessary.”
In Kenya, consoles are already more expensive because of taxes and import costs. If Sony extends the price hike worldwide, local prices will almost certainly go up too, making the PS5 even harder to afford.
