Xbox Series S Is Now More Expensive Than Switch 2 In Europe And The UK
Xbox Series S prices have risen sharply in the UK and Europe, temporarily making Microsoft's cheapest console more expensive than the Nintendo Switch 2. Microsoft's price increases, first flagged for the US back in June, have now been confirmed for European and UK markets, bringing them into effect immediately. This shift briefly favours Nintendo, though the reprieve is short-lived, as the Switch 2 will also see its own price rise from 1st September 2026.
The 512GB Xbox Series S has jumped from €349.99 to €499.99 in Europe, and from £299.99 to £429.99 in the UK, with equivalent hikes across the Series S 1TB and Series X models. By contrast, the Switch 2 currently costs €469.99 in Europe and £395.99 in the UK, though its European price will rise to €499.99 from September, matching the new Xbox Series S price, while UK pricing has yet to be confirmed. Some retailers, including Argos and Smyths, are still selling Xbox consoles at the older, lower prices while stock lasts.
In short
- Xbox Series S price hikes make it pricier than Switch 2 in UK/Europe
- Series S 512GB rises to £429.99 (UK) and €499.99 (Europe)
- Switch 2 prices also increase from 1st September 2026
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The price increase reflects genuine economic pressures Microsoft has faced since the Xbox Series S launched in 2020. Manufacturing costs, supply chain expenses, and labour costs have risen substantially due to inflation and global disruptions, eroding profit margins the company needs to fund software development, cloud infrastructure, and next-generation consoles. Price adjustments are standard in console cycles, and £429.99 remains relatively accessible entertainment spending. Without such increases, companies cannot sustain investment in their ecosystems.
The case against
The timing and magnitude of this increase fatally undermines Xbox's core market positioning just as the Switch 2 launches. The Series S's principal appeal was delivering current-generation gaming at an accessible price point; a 43% UK rise eliminates that distinction entirely and weakens Xbox's competitive stance precisely when it matters most. Rather than expanding market share through affordability, Microsoft has surrendered its price advantage to a direct rival whilst consumers face genuine cost-of-living pressures. For a maturing product, such aggressive increases risk alienating the budget-conscious audience that made the Series S successful.
Explained simply
Xbox Series S is Microsoft’s entry-level console in the Xbox Series range, while the Series X is the more powerful model. Nintendo’s Switch 2 is a newer console that can be used both with a television and as a handheld device.
Microsoft makes Xbox, and Nintendo makes Switch. Both companies sell consoles and games, and their prices can vary between countries and retailers. The Series S’s lower price has helped distinguish it within Microsoft’s range.
Console prices matter to people choosing between systems, particularly when comparing the cost of buying in. Price rises can also affect what shoppers pay depending on where they live and whether retailers still have older stock.
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