Sony announced Wednesday that it’s increasing the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States by $50. The company cited economic pressures and the impact of new U.S. tariffs on electronics imported from China as the main reasons for the decision. The new pricing will take effect on August 21, 2025.
New PS5 Pricing in the U.S.
The updated retail prices are as follows:
- PlayStation 5 Standard Edition: $549.99 (up from $499.99)
- PlayStation 5 Digital Edition: $499.99 (up from $449.99)
- PlayStation 5 Pro: $749.99 (up from $699.99)
Sony confirmed that prices for PS5 accessories and game titles will not be changing for now. In a statement, Isabelle Tomatis, vice president of global marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment, said, “Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S.”
Tariffs Putting Pressure on the Gaming Industry
This decision comes after the Trump administration implemented new, sweeping tariffs on imports from China, Japan, and Vietnam, pushing U.S. tariff rates to their highest in decades. Electronics and gaming hardware have been among the most affected products. Data from the Yale University Budget Lab shows that these tariffs have already raised consumer prices by 1.8% in the short term. Analysts say companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are now passing these costs directly to consumers, despite initial pressure from the White House for them to absorb the costs. Major retailers like Amazon and Walmart have also started raising prices across various product categories.
Industry-Wide Price Hikes
Sony isn’t the only major gaming company increasing prices. Microsoft raised prices for its Xbox Series X and S consoles earlier this year, and Nintendo increased the costs for both its original Switch and the new Switch 2 consoles at the start of the month. The latest PlayStation 5 price hike also follows similar increases in other global markets, including Europe, the U.K., Australia, and Latin America, where both console and PlayStation Plus subscription costs went up by 8% to 21% earlier this year.
Impact on the Gaming Market
The higher prices arrive at a difficult time for the gaming industry. 2025 was expected to be a major year for console sales, with highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto VI and the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. However, with GTA VI‘s delay until next year and rising console costs, it’s now uncertain if those growth expectations can still be met. For U.S. consumers, the PS5 price increase may signal broader cost increases in electronics and entertainment products as global trade tensions and inflation continue.
