Microsoft has raised Xbox Series X|S prices again this weekend, with the increases hitting European retailers particularly hard after only being formally announced in the US. The move comes as memory chip costs continue to soar due to AI-driven demand, leaving Microsoft reportedly still losing around $150 per console sold despite the hikes. It leaves Xbox at a significant disadvantage against Sony, which says PS5 pricing should hold steady until at least April 2027 thanks to secured component inventory, giving it an edge heading into the launch of GTA 6.

In the UK, the 512GB Xbox Series S has risen from £299.99 to £429.99, while the 1TB Series X now costs £669.99, up from £499.99. Sony's PS5 range has also increased this year, with the base console now £649.99 and the PS5 Pro £789.99, though further rises aren't expected imminently. The pricing pressure stems largely from AI-fuelled demand for memory chips, a problem Samsung has warned could worsen into 2027, and commentators suggest it bodes badly for the affordability of a future PS6, which may end up costing over $1,000.