Sony will raise the price of the PlayStation 5 in the United States by roughly $50 starting Thursday. The Japanese company faces higher production costs and slowing demand in the gaming sector.
Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis said in a blog post that the company operates in a “challenging economic environment.” All three console models will become more expensive. The Pro edition will now retail for $749.99.
Tariffs push prices higher
The increase follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several trade partners, including Japan. These measures raised fears of rising costs for US consumers. Tomatis explained: “We made the difficult decision to raise the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US starting August 21.” The standard edition will now cost $499.99.
Sony confirmed accessory prices remain unchanged and no other regions will face increases for now.
Import duties add pressure to the market
US importers of Japanese goods currently pay a 15% tariff. Earlier this year, Sony raised console prices in Europe and the UK, citing inflation and fluctuating currency rates.
Other gaming companies also increased costs. Nintendo raised the price of the original Switch, while top games like Mario Kart World now sell for £75, sparking criticism from players. Microsoft also raised prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in several countries.
Global companies warn of tariff impact
Several major firms have expressed concern about tariffs in recent months. US retailer Home Depot said import taxes could raise prices on some products. CFO Richard McPhail told the Wall Street Journal: “Tariff rates are far higher now than last quarter. This will cause modest increases in some categories, though not across the board.”
In July, Adidas said tariffs would add €200 million to costs and confirmed price increases for American buyers. Nike raised prices on selected shoes and clothing in May and later warned tariffs could push costs up by roughly $1 billion.
