Microsoft Increases Xbox Series X Price by 43% Amid Rising Component Costs

Microsoft has significantly increased the price of its Xbox Series X console in the United Kingdom, citing rising costs for memory components. The flagship console, previously sold at £389.99, now carries a recommended retail price of £559.99, marking a 43% escalation.

This adjustment follows a similar price hike by Sony for its PlayStation 5 console in August 2022, which saw the PS5 Digital Edition reach £389.99 and the standard PS5 with a disc drive rise to £479.99. Microsoft, however, had maintained its initial pricing for the Xbox Series X since its November 2020 launch.

The price increase comes after a period where Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions also saw a modest rise, from £10.99 to £12.99 per month. While the lower-spec Xbox Series S console has retained its £249.99 price point, the substantial increase for the Series X places it at a considerably higher price than its direct competitor, the PlayStation 5, which also announced a price reduction in the US market earlier this year.