Sony announced Wednesday it will raise the price of PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S., effective Thursday, August 21. The company cites a “challenging economic environment,” seemingly referencing President Trump’s tariffs on imported products, as the reason for the price increase.
The price of the PlayStation 5 will increase to $549.99, the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition to $499.99, and the PlayStation 5 Pro to $749.99. On July 31, the White House announced a 15% tariff on Japan.
Sony stated that it currently has no plans to change prices in other countries, nor does it intend to increase the cost of accessories. However, the company previously raised prices for PlayStation consoles sold in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand in April, citing the same challenging economic environment. Console price increases also occurred in some regions in 2022 due to inflation, but the U.S. market was not affected at that time.
Other companies in the gaming industry have also announced pricing changes in response to the tariffs. Microsoft indicated in May that it would increase console prices by $80 to $100, along with price increases for some games, controllers, and accessories. Nintendo has opted to raise the prices of some accessories for the new Nintendo Switch 2 console, but not the console itself.
In related news, TechCrunch’s Disrupt 2025 agenda features tech and VC leaders from Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, and Sequoia Capital. The event will take place in San Francisco from October 27-29, 2025.
