Sony will increase the price of the PlayStation 5 in the US by about $50 from Thursday. The Japanese company faces rising costs and a slowdown in the gaming industry.
Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis explained in a blog post that the firm operates in a “challenging economic environment.” All three console versions are affected. The Pro edition will now sell for $749.99.
Tariffs add pressure on consumers
The price adjustment follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several trading partners, including Japan. These measures sparked fears of higher consumer costs. Tomatis said: “We made the difficult decision to raise the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US starting August 21.” The standard version will rise to $499.99.
Sony confirmed that accessory prices remain stable. No additional price changes are planned for other regions.
Import taxes drive higher prices
US importers of Japanese products face a 15% tariff. Earlier this year, Sony raised console prices in the UK and Europe, blaming inflation and unstable exchange rates.
Competitors also responded with price hikes. Nintendo recently increased the cost of its original Switch console. Popular titles like Mario Kart World now sell for as much as £75, drawing complaints from gamers. Microsoft lifted prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in several countries as well.
Global brands signal rising expenses
In recent months, many corporations warned about the impact of tariffs. US retailer Home Depot said this week that import taxes could push certain product prices higher. Chief financial officer Richard McPhail told the Wall Street Journal: “Tariff rates today are significantly higher than last quarter. Some categories will see moderate increases, though not across the board.”
In July, Adidas said tariffs would add €200 million to its costs, forcing higher prices for American buyers. Nike raised prices on select shoes and clothing in May and later estimated tariffs could increase expenses by roughly $1 billion.
