Sony Corporation will increase the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States by approximately $50, effective Thursday, as the Japanese conglomerate grapples with a sluggish recovery in the video game market and looming U.S. tariffs that could escalate costs.
In a blog post published Wednesday, Sony announced that the price hike will apply to all three PlayStation 5 models, with the premium PS5 Pro expected to retail at $749.99.
The decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of broad tariffs on imports from major manufacturing hubs, including China and Japan, raising concerns about potential supply chain disruptions and increased material costs.
Sony previously implemented price increases for its consoles in various European markets in April. Similarly, competitor Microsoft raised prices for its Xbox consoles and accessories in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and the UK in May.
The video game industry had anticipated consoles to drive significant market growth this year, fueled by the release of high-profile titles such as Take-Two Interactive’s “Grand Theft Auto VI” and Nintendo’s Switch 2. However, the delay of “GTA VI” to next year, coupled with console price increases, has tempered expectations for industry growth.
Sony clarified on Wednesday that the price adjustments are limited to the U.S. market and do not affect PlayStation 5 accessories or other regions.
