The numbers are out, and they are not pretty. Microsoft has officially confirmed new pricing for Xbox Series X and S consoles across Europe and the UK, and the increases are far steeper than most players were bracing for.
The entry-level Xbox Series S (512GB) now costs $499.99 in the US (up from $399.99), but the real shock is in Europe, where the same console has jumped from roughly $385 to $545 at current conversion rates. The top-end Xbox Series X (1TB Disc) has seen a near-48% price increase in the UK alone, going from what was already a premium price to territory that puts it firmly out of reach for a lot of households.
Get 1-month GTA+ subscription with pre-order.
Pre-Order GTA 6 Now
How much prices have actually moved
Here is the full breakdown of the new US pricing so you can see the scale of what Microsoft has done:
The European and UK increases are proportionally larger. The UK's Series X Disc model moved from roughly $565 to $850 at current exchange rates, a jump of nearly 50%. One fan on ResetEra put it bluntly: "Still trying to process how a console that was sold for the equivalent of $545 almost six years ago is now $870."
The 2TB Series X model has been discontinued entirely, which Microsoft has not explained in detail, though the implication is that it would have crossed a price threshold that made it commercially unviable.
Why Microsoft says this is happening
Back in June, Microsoft attributed the hikes to a severe components crisis, specifically stating that console storage and memory prices have "increased by more than 2.5x," with a further doubling projected by late 2027. The company noted that consoles, unlike phones or laptops, are traditionally sold at or below cost, meaning manufacturers absorb component price shocks in ways that other electronics categories do not.
The AI infrastructure boom is a significant driver here. Demand for high-bandwidth memory and advanced storage components has surged across the data center sector, squeezing supply for consumer hardware manufacturers. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged earlier this year that the industry has "reached a point where it will be hard to imagine" mass audiences affording "thousands of dollars" for future console generations, calling for "radically different business models."
Xbox is not alone, but it is the hardest hit
This is an industry-wide problem, but Microsoft's increases are the most dramatic announced so far. Sony raised PS5 prices earlier this year, citing global economic pressures. Nintendo acknowledged it would increase Switch 2 pricing roughly a year after launch. Valve had to price its Steam Machine at $1,049, significantly above its original target.
The timing makes this particularly uncomfortable. GTA 6 is set to launch in November, an event that historically drives massive console hardware sales. The concern now is that neither Sony nor Microsoft will be able to meet that demand spike at prices consumers are willing to pay.
Fan reaction has been swift and largely negative. "Final nail in the coffin" was one of the more measured responses circulating on gaming forums. "There is no way in 2026 I would be paying nearly $850 for a Series X with a disc drive" captures the sentiment from a large portion of the community.
What this means heading into a big release window
The key here is context. These price rises land at the worst possible moment for Xbox, which is already fighting for market share against PS5. With GTA 6 on the horizon and players actively deciding which platform to buy into, a $799.99 entry point for the full Series X experience is a significant barrier. If you are already planning a purchase and want to squeeze value out of your setup, checking out our Battlefield REDSEC best PS5 and Xbox settings guide is a solid starting point for getting the most from existing hardware while you weigh the upgrade question.
For players eyeing upcoming releases across multiple platforms, the cost of gaming is rising across the board. The EA FC 27 editions price and bonus breakdown is worth a look if you are managing a tighter gaming budget and want to make sure you are not overspending on the wrong version of a major title.
Microsoft has not confirmed when the new pricing takes effect across all regions, but the figures are now public. Players in Europe and the UK looking to pick up a Series X or S before the price locks in should check their regional Xbox store for the current window. For everything else landing on Xbox this year, the full gaming guides hub has you covered as the holiday release slate takes shape.
