If you’re thinking about buying an Xbox, you may want to do it soon. Microsoft has confirmed that Xbox console prices will go up worldwide on August 1. To help buyers, the company will also offer new payment plans and sell more certified refurbished consoles at lower prices.
According to the official Xbox Wire announcement, Microsoft says the latest price increase is needed because hardware costs continue to rise. It is also the third major Xbox console price increase in the last 14 months. The updated prices are:
- Xbox Series S (512GB): From $399.99 to $499.99 (+$100)
- Xbox Series S (1TB): From $449.99 to $599.99 (+$150)
- Xbox Series X Digital (1TB): From $599.99 to $749.99 (+$150)
- Xbox Series X (1TB): From $649.99 to $799.99 (+$150)
- Xbox Series X Galaxy Black (2TB): Discontinued
Speaking about the price increase, Microsoft said, “Last October, we increased the XBOX console price by $20-$70 in the U.S. We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options.” The company further added, “Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027. The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles.”
To make the higher prices easier to deal with, Microsoft is adding new ways to buy an Xbox. As we reported a couple of weeks ago, the rumors have turned out to be true. The company is rolling out its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) program, letting customers split the cost into smaller payments through the official Microsoft Store and selected retail partners.
Microsoft is also making more certified refurbished Xbox consoles available. These are official second-hand consoles that have been checked and approved by Microsoft. They will be sold through Microsoft and selected retailers at lower prices, giving people a cheaper way to buy an Xbox. For more Xbox-related coverage, keep checking GameObserver.
