Sony has sold 75 million units of PS5 till date. (Image credit: Sony)
Sony has increased the price of its PlayStation 5 console (review) by 25 per cent in select markets as the impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs begins to hit the video game industry.
The Japanese electronics conglomerate said it had made the “tough” decision to raise the price of its flagship console in Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa. In the UK, the price of the digital edition of the PS5 has increased by £40 to £429.99. In Europe, the price has risen by €50 to €499.99. However, there is no price increase for the PS5 with a disc drive. The company has, however, reduced the cost of external disc drives that can be used with the digital edition of the PS5 in the UK. Sony also announced that it would increase the price of the PS5 in Australia and New Zealand.
Sony hasn’t said whether it will also raise the price of the PlayStation 5 in India in the future. Analysts, however, warn that Sony may increase the price of the PS5 in other major markets, including the US.
Sony manufactures the majority of PlayStation 5 consoles in China. (Image credit: Sony)
But this isn’t the first time Sony has increased the price of the PlayStation 5, which was released in 2020. The company previously made a similar move in 2022 to offset the rising cost of the console due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. Sony has sold 75 million units of the PS5 worldwide to date.
Major tech companies have been hit hard by Donald Trump’s tariffs, especially those that manufacture hardware in Asia, particularly China. There is still uncertainty about how the tariffs will impact the supply chain. While President Trump has exempted certain electronic products, video game consoles were not directly mentioned. This may explain why Sony did not specify in its PlayStation blog that the price increase was due to tariffs. However, there is a strong possibility that the tariffs and ongoing uncertainty will influence how companies adjust the pricing of devices in the coming days.
Experts say the era when companies priced their video game consoles low in hopes of recouping profits through software sales is long gone. Not just Sony, but another major gaming company, Nintendo, is also impacted by the US tariffs. Its Switch 2 will launch on June 5 for $449.99, up from $300 for the original Switch. The company is also charging more for its exclusive games, with some titles priced as high as $80. Nintendo still hasn’t announced when pre-orders for the Switch 2 will start in the US. The company was earlier expected to begin taking pre-orders for the new console on April 9.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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Sony manufactures the majority of PlayStation 5 consoles in China. (Image credit: Sony)
