Sony Is Increasing PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro Prices Globally
Sony confirms higher console and Portal costs worldwide as AI-fueled memory chip demand squeezes hardware makers.
Summary
- Sony is raising the prices of all PlayStation 5 consoles and the PlayStation Portal globally starting April 2, 2026
- The standard PS5 and Digital Edition will see a $100 increase, while the PS5 Pro will jump $150 to $899.99
- Experts attribute the hardware price hikes to a global memory chip shortage fueled by the booming AI data center sector
Sony announced a significant global price increase across its entire PlayStation 5 console lineup and the PlayStation Portal remote player. The new pricing, which takes effect on April 2, marks the second time in less than a year that the company has raised the cost of its current-generation gaming hardware.
Under the new pricing structure in the U.S., the standard PlayStation 5 with a disc drive will cost $649.99 USD, while the Digital Edition will retail for $599.99 USD — a $100 USD increase for both models. The premium PlayStation 5 Pro will see the steepest hike, jumping $150 USD to $899.99 USD. Additionally, the PlayStation Portal handheld streaming device will increase by $50 USD to $249.99 USD. Similar price adjustments are being rolled out across the UK, Europe, and Japan.
In an official blog post, Sony attributed the price hikes to “continued pressures in the global economic landscape” and stated the adjustments were necessary to ensure the delivery of high-quality gaming experiences. While the company did not elaborate on specific economic factors, industry experts point to a severe shortage of RAM and memory chips driven by the booming artificial intelligence sector. The massive demand from AI data centers has constrained component supplies, forcing tech manufacturers to pass the rising costs downstream to consumers.
