Microsoft plans to raise the prices of its Xbox consoles in the United States starting October 3, 2025. The Xbox Series X will now be priced at $649.99, an increase from $599.99, while the Xbox Series S will rise to $399.99, up by $20 from its previous price of $379.99. This marks the second price hike this year, attributed to “changes in the macroeconomic environment,” with industry analysts indicating that tariffs are the primary cause of the increased costs. While customers in the US will experience these price increases, Microsoft has stated that prices for Xbox consoles in other regions will remain the same. Accessories, including controllers and headsets, will also maintain their current prices without any increases for now.
The updated pricing for US buyers starting in October includes: · Xbox Series S (512GB): $399.99 (previously $379.99) · Xbox Series S (1TB): $449.99 (previously $429.99) · Xbox Series X: $649.99 (previously $599.99) · Xbox Series X Digital: $599.99 (previously $549.99) · Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition: $799.99 (previously $729.99). The special edition model sees the largest increase at $70, nearing the $800 mark. This is not the first price adjustment from Microsoft, as a prior increase in May raised the Xbox Series X by $100 and the Series S by $80. US gamers have now seen the Series X rise by $150 and the Series S by $100 within just six months.
The Galaxy Black Special Edition, which debuted nearly a year ago at $599.99, will reach $799.99 next month, marking a staggering $200 increase in one year. Interestingly, while hardware prices are climbing, Microsoft recently decided against raising the prices of its first-party games, which were set to launch at $80 this holiday season. This reversal occurred in July, alleviating some financial pressure on players. For many US consumers, this latest increase may feel familiar, coming soon after previous hikes. With inflation and tariffs continuing to affect the tech industry, gamers are left to wonder if costs will keep rising in 2026.
Currently, the US is the only market facing these new price increases, while Microsoft’s global customers are spared, highlighting broader economic challenges in the gaming industry.
