Earlier this year, Microsoft confirmed that the price of the Xbox Series X/S consoles would be increasing globally, though the steepest increases would be hitting the US. Today, Microsoft announced that, for the second time this year, the price of the Xbox Series X/S consoles will be increased again, with the new prices going into effect in two weeks time on October 3, 2025.
Microsoft didn't specify exactly why prices are going up, instead citing "changes in the macroeconomic environment." It added that understood "that these changes are challenging," and reassures that they "were made with careful consideration." The price of accessories like controllers and headsets is staying the same for now, and the price of the console in countries outside of the US will also remain the same for now.
To recap, when the price of the consoles and accessories went up in may, the price of the Xbox Series S console went up $80, for both the 512GB and 1TB variants. The price of the Xbox Series X console went up $100, and the price of the 2TB special edition Xbox Series X went up $130.
Thankfully, today's increases aren't as steep, but it's still baffling to hear they're going up at all. While Microsoft doesn't mention the word 'tariffs,' the fact that the increases are isolated to the US points to the current US administration's tariffs as a likely reason behind the two price hikes within the last five months.
Starting October 3, 2025, these are the prices of the Xbox Series line of consoles:
- Xbox Series X - $649.99 ($50 increase)
- Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition - $799.99 ($70 increase)
- Xbox Series S 512GB - $399.99 ($20 increase)
- Xbox Series S 1TB - $449.99 ($20 increase)
To be fair, Microsoft isn't the only hardware maker to raise the prices on its consoles. Sony raised the price of the PS5 by $50 in the US just last month, and while Nintendo has so far only raised the price of its Switch 2 accessories, the threat of a console price hike still looms.
One thing is for sure, though. These price increases won't help Microsoft move more units than they were before. Even if the console is reportedly profitable, it's difficult to imagine that the added revenue from these price hikes will have a meaningful impact due to how few units are actually being sold week-to-week.
About the author: David has been writing about videogames, technology, and culture since 2020, with a focus on reporting daily news across multiple publications, including GameDaily.Biz, GameSkinny, and PlayStation Universe before joining Wccftech in 2025. David started contributing as Canada/US reporter for Wccftech's gaming section in 2025. Besides being up-to-date on the industry's movements, he loves interviewing developers, reviewing games, and writing intricate essays about the symbolism and layered meanings to be found in rich narratives as he's done for publications like GamesIndustry.Biz, LostInCult, and others. Outside of games he loves movies, music, theatre, his hometown, and his family, though not necessarily in that order.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
