Sony is set to raise the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S., effective Thursday, August 21, citing a “challenging economic environment,” which appears to be linked to President Trump’s tariffs on imported products.
The price increase will see the PlayStation 5 rise to $549.99, the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition to $499.99, and the PlayStation 5 Pro to $749.99. This move comes after the White House announced a 15% tariff on Japan on July 31. Sony has stated that it currently has no plans to adjust prices in other countries or to increase the cost of accessories. However, the company did raise prices for PlayStation consoles sold in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand in April, attributing the decision to the same challenging economic environment. It’s worth noting that console price increases occurred in some regions in 2022 due to inflation, but the U.S. market was not affected at that time.
The gaming industry is not alone in responding to the tariffs. Microsoft announced in May that it would increase console prices by $80 to $100, alongside price hikes for some games, controllers, and accessories. Nintendo has chosen to raise the prices of some accessories for the new Nintendo Switch 2 console, although the console itself will not see a price increase.
In related news, TechCrunch’s Disrupt 2025 agenda has been revealed, featuring tech and VC leaders from Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, and Sequoia Capital. The event is scheduled to take place in San Francisco from October 27-29, 2025.
