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Sony Increases PlayStation 5 Price in Select Regions
Typically, four years into a console’s lifecycle is when manufacturers permanently reduce prices. However, Sony recently announced a deviation from this trend, opting instead to increase the price of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) in key markets. The price adjustment will affect Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa.
Reasons for the PS5 Price Adjustment
The announcement, posted on the official PlayStation Blog, did not provide a singular, specific justification for the elevated pricing. Instead, the company cited a “challenging economic environment,” pointing to factors such as high inflation and fluctuating foreign exchange rates. Unlike typical announcements that might precede such changes, this price increase was implemented almost immediately, taking effect on April 14th. While some regions will only experience price increases on the Digital Edition of the PS5, others, including Australia, will see price rises across both standard and digital models. Notably, the price of the PS5 Pro remains unchanged.
Regional Price Updates
While the PlayStation blog post detailed price changes for several regions, specific figures for the Middle East and Africa were not included. Consumers in these regions are advised to consult local retailers for precise pricing. Updated prices for other regions are outlined below:
The PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition
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Europe
- PS5 Digital Edition – €499.99 (previous price: €449.99)
UK
- PS5 Digital Edition – £429.99 (previous price: £389.99)
Australia
- Standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – AUD $829.95 (previous price: $799.95)
- PS5 Digital Edition – AUD $749.95 (previous price: $649.95)
New Zealand
- Standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – NZD $949.95 (previous price: $899.95)
- PS5 Digital Edition – NZD $859.95 (previous price: $769.95)
PlayStation 5 Disc Drive Attachment Price Reduction
In a contrasting move, the price of the detachable disc drive for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is being reduced across all the affected regions. This provides an alternative for consumers who initially opted for the Digital Edition but later desire disc-based gaming or media playback.
The PlayStation 5 Disc Drive
Europe
- €79.99
UK
- £69.99
Australia
- AUD $124.95
New Zealand
- NZD $139.95
Industry Context: Console Pricing Trends
Pricing for video games and consoles has been a significant talking point within the gaming industry recently. This heightened attention follows Nintendo’s unveiling of the anticipated, yet costly, prices associated with the upcoming Switch 2 console and the new Mario Kart World game. Furthermore, proposed tariff plans have added complexity to the pricing landscape, potentially causing delays in pre-orders for certain regions.