Sony has announced price increases for certain PlayStation 5 (PS5) models in various regions, excluding the United States, citing a challenging global economic landscape as the driving factor behind the decision.
The Japanese tech giant confirmed that the digital-only version of the PS5 — which lacks a physical disc drive — will see a price rise of more than 10 per cent in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
In an official blog post published on Sunday, the company described the move as a “tough decision” influenced by high inflation and volatile exchange rates.
“The economic environment is proving difficult, with factors such as rising inflation and currency fluctuations playing a significant role,” Sony explained.
The price hike also affects customers in New Zealand, where both the digital edition and the standard disc-drive version will become more expensive. Australia will see similar increases for the standard console as well.
In addition, Sony confirmed that prices would rise in parts of the Middle East and Africa, although specific details for those regions were not provided.
However, the company added that the recommended retail price of the disc drive component sold separately would decrease.
The adjustments came into effect on Monday, according to Sony. Prices for the premium PS5 Pro model, which launched in November 2024 with improved performance and graphics capabilities, will remain unchanged.
The PS5 originally launched in 2020, with the Pro edition offering enhancements for gamers seeking faster loading times and higher frame rates.
Following the changes, the PS5 digital edition now costs €499.99 (£429.99) in Europe and the UK — equivalent to roughly $570 and $566, respectively.
