Sony Raises PS5 Price in Some Markets

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The Trump administration’s tariffs are having swift and severe consequences for global markets. Companies are suspending sales in the US , and others are considering raising prices to offset the added tariff fees. When you combine this instability with inflation and other factors of financial instability, it will be a difficult time for economies around the world.

Unfortunately, these increased costs of doing business usually do not benefit the consumer. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: we end up eating up the extra costs. That’s the case with the PlayStation 5. Depending on where you live, it’s now more expensive than ever, despite being over four years old.

PS5 prices are rising

In a PlayStation blog post on Sunday , Sony announced that SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment) has decided to increase the suggested retail price for PS5 in “select markets.” This includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Australia and New Zealand. (Sony did not specify the price increase for its Middle East and Africa markets, however.) The company did not mention tariffs in its discussion and thus spared the United States from the price increase, as well as the rest of North America.

This is also not a gradual increase in prices. Australia, for example, gets an AU$100 price increase on the PS5 Digital Edition, while the standard PS5 now costs over AU$800. I suppose it’s a small plus that Sony has reduced the price of the Disc Drive accessory in these markets, but I doubt it will be too much of a comfort for the consumers affected here:

Here’s how much the PS5 currently costs in these regions:

Europe

  • Digital edition PS5: 499.99 euros (increase by 50 euros)

  • Disc drive: €79.99 (reduced by €40)

United Kingdom

What are your thoughts so far?

  • PS5 Digital Edition: £429.99 (up £40)

  • Disc drive: £69.99 (down £30)

Australia

  • PS5 Digital Edition: AU$749.95 (up AU$100)

  • PS5 with disc drive: AU$829.95 (up AU$30)

  • Disc drive: AU$124.95 (down AU$30)

New Zealand

  • PS5 Digital Edition: NZ$859.95 (NZ$90 increase)

  • PS5 with disc drive: NZ$949.95 (NZ$50 increase)

  • Drive: NZ$135.95 (down NZ$30)

Could the US be next?

It’s definitely possible. The US, under the leadership of the Trump administration, is roiling global markets with inconsistent and harsh tariffs. If Sony finds that they are willing to import the PS5 into the US, they could very well pass on the increased costs to American consumers.

Experts believe that the situation could go either way. Christopher Dring of The Game Business believes that Sony will not increase the prices of the PS5 in the US, even if they are affected by tariffs. Dring believes Sony wants to “protect” the US market and is therefore willing to raise global prices instead. Serkan Toto from Kantan Games thinks the opposite: Sony will most likely raise prices, and soon, because the time is “right.”

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