Sony will increase the price of the PlayStation 5 in the US by about $50 starting Thursday. The Japanese technology company faces mounting costs and a cooling video game market.
Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis wrote in a blog post that the firm operates in a “challenging economic environment.” All three console versions will become more expensive. The Pro edition will now retail for $749.99.
US tariffs drive price increases
The decision follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several trade partners, including Japan. These tariffs sparked fears of rising costs. Tomatis said: “We made the difficult decision to raise the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US starting August 21.” The standard model will rise to $499.99.
Sony confirmed that accessory prices remain the same and no other regions will see changes at this time.
Import taxes push companies to adjust
Importers of Japanese products currently face a 15% tariff in the US. Earlier this year, Sony raised PlayStation prices in the UK and Europe, citing inflation and unstable exchange rates.
Competitors have followed similar paths. Nintendo recently increased the cost of the original Switch. Games like Mario Kart World now sell for up to £75, drawing criticism from players. Microsoft also lifted prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in several countries.
Global firms warn of rising costs
Many large companies have raised concerns about the impact of tariffs in recent months. US home improvement chain Home Depot said this week that import taxes could make some products more expensive. Finance chief Richard McPhail told the Wall Street Journal: “Tariff rates are much higher now than last quarter. That will cause modest increases in some categories, though not everywhere.”
In July, Adidas warned that tariffs would add €200 million to its expenses, forcing higher prices for American buyers. Rival Nike raised prices on some shoes and clothing in May and later estimated tariffs could increase costs by around $1 billion.
