Sony will increase the price of the PlayStation 5 in the United States by around $50 starting Thursday. The Japanese company faces rising production costs and weaker demand in the gaming industry.
Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis said in a blog post that the firm is operating in a “challenging economic environment.” All three console models will become more expensive. The Pro version will now retail for $749.99.
Tariffs drive up consumer costs
The price hike follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several trade partners, including Japan. These measures raised concerns about higher expenses for American buyers. Tomatis stated: “We made the difficult decision to raise the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US starting August 21.” The base edition will now cost $499.99.
Sony confirmed accessory prices will stay the same and said no other regions will see increases at this time.
Import taxes pressure the gaming market
US importers of Japanese goods currently face a 15% tariff. Earlier this year, Sony raised console prices in Europe and the UK, citing inflation and currency fluctuations.
Competitors followed similar steps. Nintendo increased the original Switch price, while popular games like Mario Kart World now sell for £75, drawing criticism from players. Microsoft also raised prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in multiple markets.
Global firms warn about tariffs
Several international companies have warned about tariffs’ effects. US retailer Home Depot said import taxes could raise prices on certain items. CFO Richard McPhail told the Wall Street Journal: “Tariff rates are far higher now than last quarter. This will cause modest price increases in some categories, though not across the board.”
In July, Adidas said tariffs would add €200 million to its costs, forcing higher prices for American customers. Nike raised prices on select shoes and clothing in May and later estimated tariffs could add about $1 billion to expenses.
