Sony will raise the cost of the PlayStation 5 in the US by around $50 starting Thursday. The Japanese electronics giant struggles with growing expenses and slowing demand in the gaming sector.
Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis stated in a blog post that the company faces a “challenging economic environment.” All three console models will become more expensive. The Pro version now carries a recommended retail price of $749.99.
Tariffs trigger rising costs
The increase follows tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump on several major trading partners, including Japan. These measures raised concerns about higher consumer prices. Tomatis explained: “We made the difficult decision to raise the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US starting August 21.” The standard model will now cost $499.99.
Accessory prices remain unchanged, and Sony does not plan additional increases in other regions for now.
Import duties weigh on the industry
US importers of Japanese goods face a 15% tariff. Earlier this year, Sony lifted console prices in the UK and Europe, citing high inflation and volatile exchange rates.
Competitors also raised their prices. Nintendo recently increased the cost of the original Switch. Popular games such as Mario Kart World now sell for up to £75, sparking criticism from players. Microsoft followed with higher prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in multiple markets.
Global brands warn of further impacts
Several companies have recently voiced concerns about tariffs. US retailer Home Depot announced that new import taxes could make some products more expensive. Finance chief Richard McPhail told the Wall Street Journal: “Tariff rates are far higher now than last quarter. This will cause moderate price movements in some categories, though not broadly.”
In July, Adidas said tariffs would add €200 million to its costs and confirmed higher prices for US customers. Nike raised prices on selected shoes and clothing in May and later warned tariffs could increase its costs by around $1 billion.
