Xbox Forces a Third Worth Hike Down Gamers’ Throats

Xbox had already torpedoed most causes to purchase an Xbox Series X with its 2025 worth hikes. Now, it’s demolishing any hope of an reasonably priced Series S or Series X console in 2026 with yet one more large worth surge.

Xbox checked out Apple’s Thursday worth hikes and mentioned, “Hold my beer.” Starting on Aug. 1, each Xbox console will price both $100 or $150 extra, relying on the quantity of SSD storage inside. Microsoft is rising the 512GB Xbox Series S worth from $400 to $500. That’s as a lot because the extra highly effective Xbox Series X price at launch again in 2020. In addition, Microsoft’s most-performant Series X console will demand a whopping $750, and that’s with out an optical drive.

Here’s the brand new complete price breakdown:

• Xbox Series S 512GB: $400 → $500 (+$100)
• Xbox Series S 1TB: $450 → $600 (+$150)
• Xbox Series X Digital 1TB: $600 → $750 (+$150)
• Xbox Series X: $650 → $800 (+$150)

Xbox can be sunsetting its 2TB Galaxy Black version Series X. That console price $800 after final yr’s worth will increase, however it appears Xbox can now not afford the price of reminiscence for its gaming consoles. The worth gouging announcement has arrived the identical day players began placing their cash down on the $80 Grand Theft Auto VI. Now, the $600 PlayStation 5 is wanting barely extra appetizing should you hope to play Rockstar’s crime drama at 4K decision.

“We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options,” the corporate mentioned. “Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x, and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027.”

Xbox is including an choice to finance your new console. Those who need to arrange installment plans can break up funds into smaller, interest-free installments. Xbox didn’t present many particulars on how a lot customers can count on to pay in these 12-month financing offers. Xbox may also push new refurbished consoles bought by Microsoft.com for “up to $100 off” the urged retail worth. Currently, a “Certified Refurbished” Series X digital version console prices $500.

Early this month, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma warned that reminiscence costs had been changing into untenable. The firm’s not too long ago put in chief strategist, Matthew Ball, warned that reminiscence is changing into constrained by upwards of 30% to 40% main into subsequent yr.

This is all grim tidings for Xbox’s upcoming console, dubbed Project Helix. Sharma wrote in a public message to staff: “We are currently unable to make as many consoles as players want to buy, and we need a new business model and partnerships for hardware as we remain committed to Helix.” Xbox hoped to compete on efficiency with Valve’s Steam Machine, which prices $1,050 with simply 512GB of storage and no controller.