XBOX Consoles Now Cost A LOT More
XBOX consoles now cost A LOT more!
If you were hoping to pick up a brand-new Xbox console this summer, you might want to double-check your bank balance. Microsoft has officially rolled out major price increases for its Xbox Series X and Series S hardware in the UK and Europe, with some models seeing price jumps of over 30%.
The price hikes, which officially took effect on August 1, mean that buying a flagship Xbox Series X with a disc drive will now set UK gamers back a staggering £669.99—a huge £170 increase over its previous £499.99 price tag.
Here is the full breakdown of what’s changing, why Microsoft claims it had no choice, and what it means for UK gamers.
The New UK Xbox Console Prices
Prices have increased across every single model in the Xbox Series lineup, with UK buyers facing hikes between £130 and £170 per console.
Xbox Series S (512GB) was £299.99 and is now £429.99 an increse of £130 (+43%)
Xbox Series S (1TB) was £349.99 and is now £519.99 an increase £170 (+48%)
Xbox Series X (1TB Digital) was £449.99 and is now £619.99 an increase of £170 (+37%)
Xbox Series X (1TB Disc) was £499.99 and is now £669.99 an increase of £170 (+34%)
In addition to these price hikes, Microsoft has confirmed that the 2TB Xbox Series X model is being sunsetted and will be discontinued entirely, presumably because its retail price would have become prohibitively expensive for most consumers.
Similar price increases have also gone live across mainland Europe (where increases range from €150 to €200) and the US.
Why are Xbox Prices Going Up?
Unlike previous console generations where hardware became cheaper to manufacture—and buy—over time, the current generation is battling an unprecedented global hardware components crisis.
In an official statement addressing the changes, Microsoft pointed directly to astronomical cost increases in memory (GDDR6 RAM) and solid-state storage:
"Console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027," the company explained. "The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make."
With component costs rising rapidly and Microsoft unwilling to continue swallowing heavy losses per unit sold, the cost has been passed directly on to the consumer.
Softening the Blow: Financing and Refurbished Options
Recognising that these price increases will make buying a new console out of reach for many, Microsoft announced a few initiatives designed to soften the blow:
Buy Now, Pay Later & Financing: The Microsoft Store is introducing interest-free installment options and working with UK retail partners to offer up to 12 months of 0% APR financing on eligible hardware.
Trade-in Programmes: Microsoft is expanding trade-in options, allowing gamers to trade in older consoles for store credit or cash.
Xbox Certified Refurbished Consoles: Refurbished units will continue to be sold directly via Microsoft Stores with discounts up to £100 off the new, higher MSRP.
Reaction from the Gaming Community
The reaction across video game forums and social media has been swift and overwhelmingly critical. With the Xbox Series X|S generation approaching its sixth year on the market, many fans are finding it hard to stomach paying £670 for hardware that originally debuted at £450 back in 2020.
Entry-level gaming on Xbox has also taken a hit: the Xbox Series S—originally marketed as an affordable £250 gateway into modern gaming—now starts at £430 for the base 512GB model.
With Sony and Nintendo also facing similar supply chain pressures, it’s clear the days of cheap mid-to-late lifecycle console bargains may be over for now.
Out of Sync Gaming Take
The continued price hike for consoles is making harder and harder to recommend purchasing one, espeically one that’s more than five years old. It’s a strange time to be a console gamer. What was once a impluse purchase and an affordable hobby to enter into, it’s now a field where you have to finance your systems. What do you think? Are you still considering purchasing a new XBOX or does the cost of entry now put you off from ever buying one?