Xbox First delivery passes, then a price increase for the PlayStation5 with immediate effect: Sony is currently straining the patience of potential customers. Microsoft reacts cleverly.
Released on 08/26/2022
According to Sony, the PS5 will be 50 euros more expensive “due to the economic situation”, the Xbox price will remain constant. Photo: Microsoft
It’s still in short supply – and now it’s even more expensive: Sony recently announced on the PlayStation Blog that the price of the PlayStation5 will be increased by 50 euros with immediate effect due to the global economic situation, high inflation rates and unfavorable currency trends. Concerns quickly arose that Microsoft might follow the example of its competitors. But the IT giant gives the all-clear: For the time being there are no plans to make the Xbox Series X/S more expensive.
Will Microsoft win the console duel in the long term?
When asked by Windows Central, a company spokesman said Microsoft is constantly evaluating its own task of offering fans great gaming options in real time. This also includes the stable price for the Xbox Series X at 499 euros and 299 euros for the less powerful Series S.
With this decision, Microsoft could improve its position in the console duel with the PlayStation in the long term. In a direct comparison, the PS5 is still ahead with around 20 million units sold worldwide. The Xbox Series X/S is estimated to have 15 million devices. If Microsoft doesn’t increase prices in the long term, that could create an additional incentive to buy – even for players who have been loyal to Sony and have not been able to get their hands on it due to the supply bottlenecks. With the Microsoft console you currently save around 50 euros: the PS5 with drive has cost almost 550 euros since the price increase, the Digital Edition around 450 euros.