IGN argues that the long-standing £/$500 console price point is unlikely to return, with the next PlayStation and Xbox potentially launching near $1,000 even if current memory shortages ease. It says successive disruptions—including pandemic supply problems, tariffs and AI-driven demand for memory chips—have raised hardware prices and reset consumers’ expectations.

The PS5 and Xbox Series X launched at $500 in 2020 but have reportedly become more expensive rather than receiving the usual mid-generation reductions. IGN cites prices of $899 for the PS5 Pro, $749 for the Xbox Series X and $1,049 for Valve’s Steam Machine, while Micron’s chief executive expects memory shortages to continue into 2028. The article compares this with earlier GPU shortages, arguing that prices stayed elevated after supply conditions improved.