Microsoft’s Xbox has announced that, effective as of August 1st, prices for Xbox consoles will be raised – and by a considerable amount.
Prices will increase by US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models, while the 2 TB model will be sunsetted with no more manufactured. The price hikes follow a $20-$70 price jump back in October last year.
The new prices will be $499 for the Series S (512 Gb), $599 for the Series S (1 TB), $800 for the Series X (1 Tb), $750 for the Series X (1 TB Digital).
In a statement on the official site, they say the price hikes are due to the current global components crisis. Console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x since last Fall as AI datacenters gobble up chip supplies. They add that they expect another doubling of that multiplier by Fall 2027.
Xbox is also instituting programs to try and make consoles more affordable, including ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ and ‘Interest Free Financing’ options.
Following this and the Steam Machine’s pricing reveal earlier this week, speculation is high that Xbox’s Project Helix (the Series X successor) will be sold for over $1000 with a common estimate now at $1500. Microsoft has made no remarks about the consoles potential pricing as yet.
