Sony has announced that it is raising the price of the PlayStation 5 in several key markets, including Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The price increase, which went into effect on April 14, 2025, is attributed to the "challenging economic environment," including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates. This marks the second time Sony has increased the price of the PS5 since its launch in 2020, with the previous increase occurring in 2022 due to similar economic pressures.
The price hikes vary depending on the region and the specific PS5 model. In Europe, the PS5 Digital Edition has seen a price increase of €50, bringing the new price to €499.99. Similarly, in the UK, the Digital Edition now costs £429.99, up from £389.99. Australia is experiencing price increases across the board, with the standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive now priced at AUD $829.95 (increased from $799.95) and the Digital Edition at AUD $749.95 (increased from $649.95). New Zealand is also affected, with the standard PS5 now costing NZD $949.95 and the Digital Edition NZD $859.95.
Interestingly, while the prices of the consoles themselves are increasing, Sony is reducing the retail price of the PS5 Disc Drive attachment, which can be installed on the Digital Edition. In Europe, the attachment will now sell for €79.99, while in the UK it will cost £69.99. Australian and New Zealand customers can purchase it for AUD $124.95 and NZD $139.95, respectively.
Sony has confirmed that the price of the PS5 Pro will remain unchanged in all regions. Moreover, the price of the PS5 in the United States will remain unchanged, where the PS5 Ultra HD Blu-ray is priced at $499.99, and the PS5 Digital Edition is $399.99.
The decision to raise prices has sparked discussions about the affordability of gaming consoles, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Some experts suggest that similar price increases could follow in other markets, including the United States. Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based games consultancy Kantan Games, stated that he "would be very surprised if Sony was able to keep the PlayStation prices in the US stable," adding that now might be the "right time" for Sony to implement such changes as "user backlash would be comparably limited."
The price increase has led to some interesting scenarios. For example, in the UK, purchasing the PS5 Digital Edition and the optical drive add-on separately now costs £19.99 more than buying the standard PS5 console with the disc drive built-in. Consumers are advised to carefully consider their options and compare costs before making a purchase. Sony also sells refurbished versions of its latest console, which is consistently the most affordable way to buy a PS5, though these are limited to one per customer. These refurbished consoles come with the same 12-month hardware warranty as new consoles.
