Gaming has become more expensive: Microsoft has sharply raised prices for Xbox Series X and Series S

Microsoft has revised the pricing for Xbox gaming consoles in European Union countries. As of August 1, current Xbox Series X and Series S models have seen a noticeable price jump, with increases reaching up to €200. These changes reflect the company’s new strategy and rising costs in electronics manufacturing.

Budget gaming under pressure

The entry-level Xbox Series S, once marketed as the most accessible gateway to next-gen gaming, has seen a significant price hike:

• The 512 GB version now costs €500 (25,700 UAH) instead of the previous €350 (18,000 UAH).
• The 1 TB SSD model has risen to €600 (31,000 UAH) from the previous €400 (20,600 UAH).

This pricing shift effectively undermines the Series S position as a budget-friendly solution, as the cost now closely approaches that of full-fledged gaming systems from previous generations.

Flagship model costs

The increase has also affected top-tier Xbox models. New price tags are now in effect for all configurations:

• Xbox Series X with disk drive: €800 (41,200 UAH) compared to the previous €600 (31,000 UAH).
• Xbox Series X (Digital) without disk drive: €750 (38,600 UAH) instead of €550 (28,300 UAH).

For comparison, the price hike in the US was approximately $150 (6,000 UAH), while European consumers face an increase of €200 (10,300 UAH). Effectively, the nominal figures in euros and dollars have become nearly identical, which, when factoring in taxes, makes purchasing the console in the EU significantly less favorable.

Reasons for price increases

Analysts attribute Microsoft’s decision to a combination of several factors:

• The global increase in the cost of electronic components.
• High inflation rates affecting logistics and production.
• Strategic adjustment: the console as an entry point into the ecosystem is shifting to a premium tier.

Is it worth buying a console right now? With current prices, the investment looks questionable, especially against the backdrop of quiet competition. The price hike demonstrates that console manufacturers are less willing to subsidize hardware costs. If this trend continues, gamers will have to choose more carefully between consoles, PCs, and the secondary market.