Sony has raised PS5 prices worldwide effective April 2, 2026 — the second hike in under a year. The PS5 Pro now costs $900. Here’s the full breakdown and what’s driving it.
Sony announced on March 27, 2026, via the official PlayStation Blog, that it would raise the prices of the entire PlayStation 5 lineup and the PlayStation Portal globally. The new pricing took effect on April 2, 2026. This is Sony’s second price hike in less than a year — following a $50 increase across all PS5 models back in August 2025. This time, the hit is significantly harder.
New PS5 Prices by Region (April 2, 2026)
| Model | United States | Europe | United Kingdom | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 (Disc) | $649.99 | €649.99 | £569.99 | ¥97,980 |
| PS5 Digital Edition | $599.99 | €599.99 | £519.99 | ¥89,980 |
| PS5 Pro | $899.99 | €899.99 | £789.99 | ¥137,980 |
| PlayStation Portal | $249.99 | €249.99 | £219.99 | ¥39,980 |
How Much Did Prices Go Up?
| Model | Old Price (US) | New Price (US) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 (Disc) | $549.99 | $649.99 | +$100 |
| PS5 Digital | $499.99 | $599.99 | +$100 |
| PS5 Pro | $749.99 | $899.99 | +$150 |
| PlayStation Portal | $199.99 | $249.99 | +$50 |
In Europe, the PS5 and PS5 Digital each rose by €100, while the PS5 Pro also climbed €100 to €899.99. In the UK, all models went up by approximately £90. Japan saw increases of ¥17,000–¥18,000 across the console lineup. The standard PS5, which launched at $499 in 2020, now costs $150 more than its original launch price — a virtually unprecedented situation this far into a console generation.
Why Is Sony Raising Prices?
Sony’s official statement cited “continued pressures in the global economic landscape.” Isabelle Tomatis, Sony’s VP of Global Marketing, said the company found this to be “a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences.” But what exactly is behind this?
- The AI-driven memory crisis: AI companies have consumed roughly 40% of global DRAM output for massive data center build-outs. This has sent RAM and storage prices skyrocketing. DDR5 memory kits that cost $200–$220 just months ago have surged past $600. Industry analysts at Ampere Analysis confirmed that the cost of memory and storage components is the primary driver behind the price hikes.
- Expired supplier contracts: Sony reportedly relied on long-term price-protection agreements with component suppliers. Those contracts have recently expired, fully exposing the company to inflated market rates for memory.
- Supply chain disruptions and geopolitics: Ongoing conflicts, including tensions in the Middle East, have further strained supply chains and added logistical costs.
- Currency fluctuations: Exchange rate instability across major markets has compounded the impact.
This Isn’t Just a Sony Problem
The entire console industry is feeling the pressure:
- Microsoft raised Xbox Series X and Series S prices in 2025. The 2TB Xbox Series X already sits at $800.
- Nintendo has kept the Switch 2 at its $449 launch price for now, but analysts widely expect a price increase before the end of 2026. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games told GamesRadar he would “be very surprised if the Switch was still $450 in the US at the end of 2026.”
- Valve has announced it is revisiting Steam Machine pricing and release timing due to the DRAM shortage.
Piers Harding-Rolls, research director at Ampere Analysis, told Eurogamer he “wouldn’t be a surprise if Microsoft and Nintendo followed suit in the not-too-distant future” to protect slim hardware margins.
What Does This Mean for PS6?
With a current-gen PS5 Pro now approaching $900, the elephant in the room is the price of the next generation. According to Bloomberg, Sony is considering pushing the PlayStation 6 launch to 2028 or even 2029 — well beyond the initially expected 2027 window. The aim is reportedly to wait for component prices to stabilise before committing to a mass-market price for PS6.
If PS5-era hardware is hitting €900, many in the gaming community worry a PS6 could launch north of $1,000 under current conditions. Sony’s decision to delay and continue milking the PS5 generation — encouraging PS4 owners to upgrade in the meantime — starts to make a lot more strategic sense in this context.
FAQ
When did the PS5 price increase take effect?
The new prices went into effect on April 2, 2026, across all major regions.
How much does the PS5 Pro cost now?
$899.99 in the US, €899.99 in Europe, and £789.99 in the UK.
Are PS5 accessories also more expensive?
No. Sony’s announcement only covered the PS5 consoles and PlayStation Portal. Controllers and other peripherals appear unaffected for now.
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 also get a price increase?
Nintendo has held its $449 launch price so far, but multiple analysts expect a hike before the end of 2026 given the same global economic pressures and component shortages.
Why is RAM affecting console prices?
AI companies are buying up an enormous share of global memory chip production for data centres. This has created a severe shortage of DRAM and NAND storage, dramatically raising costs for every electronics manufacturer — including console makers like Sony.
Is the PS6 delayed?
According to Bloomberg, Sony is exploring a delay to 2028 or 2029. The company reportedly wants memory prices to stabilise before committing to next-gen hardware production at a consumer-friendly price point.
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