Sony made a price rise announcement for PlayStation 5 in Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand from April 14, 2025. This comes because of the unfavorable economic climate, rising inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and additional costs from new tariffs on imported electronics.

Updated prices for PlayStation 5

Europe

• PS5 Digital Edition: €499.99 (a €50 increase)
• Standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disco: no change

United Kingdom

• PS5 Digital Edition: £429.99 (a £40 increase)
• Standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disco: no change

Australia

• PS5 Digital Edition: AUD $749.95
• Standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disco: AUD $829.95

New Zealand

• PS5 Digital Edition: NZD $859.95
• Standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disco: NZD $949.95

Changes in the cost of the PS5 disc:

• Europe: €79.99
• United Kingdom: £69.99
• Australia: AUD $124.95
• New Zealand: NZD $139.95

This is the second price increase for PlayStation 5 in the last three years. The previous one occurred in 2022 due to similar economic challenges. However, the prices for PS5 in the United States remain unchanged, where the PS5 Ultra HD Blu-ray is priced at $499.99, and the PS5 Digital Edition is $399.99.

Justifications for the price adjustment

Inflation and exchange rates: These influence the production costs of the company.

Effect of new tariffs: In particular, adding a 145% tariff for Chinese consoles in America, in which Sony mostly produces the PS5, could result in price hikes in America too.

Economic uncertainty: General economic conditions, such as political uncertainty and trade uncertainty, also lead to price adjustments.

Impacts on consumers:

Decreased affordability: The rise in price could make the PS5 less affordable for many consumers.

Consumer preference changes: Players could consider other emerging platforms or postpone their purchase.

Response: Other players, e.g., Microsoft, could change their price or approach to stay competitive.

Sony's price hike for PlayStation 5 is due to the prevailing economic pressures and shifts in trade globally. Consumers should take all these factors into account in their planning for purchase and comparing costs of consoles among regions.