Sony Corp. will increase PlayStation 5 console prices across the United States by $50 starting Thursday, succumbing to tariff pressures that have already forced the Japanese company to raise costs in other major markets this year.
The price adjustments affect all three console variants, with the standard PlayStation 5 rising to $549.99 from $499.99, the Digital Edition climbing to $499.99 from $449.99, and the high-end PS5 Pro reaching $749.99 from $699.99, according to a company blog post Wednesday.
Sony cited a “challenging economic environment” for the decision, though the timing coincides with escalating trade tensions under the Trump administration that have imposed steep tariffs on Chinese imports. Most gaming hardware is manufactured in China, where Sony produces the majority of its PlayStation consoles.
The move represents a significant shift for Sony’s approach to its largest gaming market. While the company raised PlayStation 5 prices in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand earlier in 2025, it had resisted similar increases in the United States until now. The company’s gaming division has performed strongly, with PlayStation 5 sales reaching 80.3 million units worldwide and 2.5 million units shipped in the most recent quarter.
Sony’s decision follows similar moves by competitors facing the same economic pressures. Microsoft increased Xbox console prices by $100 in May, while Nintendo raised Switch console prices in August and warned of potential additional adjustments for its upcoming Switch 2, scheduled for release in early June.
The tariff environment has created unprecedented challenges for the gaming industry, with the Consumer Technology Association estimating that current trade policies could increase video game console prices by as much as 69%. Industry trade group Entertainment Software Association has warned that the tariffs would have “real and detrimental impact” on the sector.
Despite Sony’s explanation of economic headwinds, the price increase comes as the company reports robust financial performance in its gaming segment. PlayStation Network reached 123 million active users as of June, up from 116 million in the previous year, while combined PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 software sales jumped 12.3 million units year-over-year.
The price adjustment takes effect August 21, giving consumers less than 24 hours to purchase consoles at current pricing levels.
