Xbox console prices are climbing again in the United States. Microsoft is raising the cost of both the Xbox Series S and Series X, with increases ranging from $20 to $70 depending on the model. The company points to “changes in the macroeconomic environment,” a phrase many interpret as pressure from tariffs and rising manufacturing costs.
Here are the new US prices:
– Xbox Series S: $399 (up $20)
– Xbox Series S 1 TB: $449 (up $20)
– Xbox Series X: $649 (up $50)
– Xbox Series X Digital Edition: $599 (up $50)
– Xbox Series X 2 TB: $799 (up $70)
Microsoft hasn’t said exactly when the new pricing will take effect. Still, the move lands just weeks after Sony raised the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro by $50 in the US, pushing the Pro past $700 before accessories.
The most controversial bump is the Xbox Series X 2 TB at $799. It offers the same processing power as the standard Series X, making the higher price harder to justify for anyone who doesn’t specifically need the extra internal storage. That sting is compounded by the cost of proprietary storage expansion, which remains one of the platform’s pricier add-ons.
What this could mean for buyers and the console market:
– Value calculus shifts: With the Series X now at $649 and the 2 TB model at $799, bundles and seasonal deals may become the smartest way to buy. Shoppers who don’t need massive internal storage might find the standard Series X a better value.
– Storage strategy matters: External USB drives are fine for backward-compatible titles, but Series-optimized games still require approved internal or expansion storage, which isn’t cheap.
– Competitive pressure: Steeper prices could dampen demand and risk widening the sales gap with Sony, especially if bundles or aggressive promotions don’t follow.
– Future console sticker shock: If current-gen prices are rising this late in the cycle, next-gen hardware could debut even higher. The long-running joke about $1,000 consoles is starting to feel less far-fetched, particularly with rumored successors like Xbox “Magnus” and PlayStation “Canis” expected to be expensive to produce.
Bottom line: US console gaming just got more expensive. If you’re considering an Xbox, compare total ownership costs, including storage and accessories, and keep an eye out for bundles before these new MSRPs fully settle in.
