Sony hikes PlayStation price by another $100, second increase in under a year

(SeaPRwire) –   Sony is increasing the price of its PlayStation console by $100, marking the second price increase in under a year for the popular gaming system.

The Japanese electronics giant attributed the move to “ongoing strains in the worldwide economic climate,” announcing that starting next Thursday, the PS5 will retail for $649.99 in the United States. Its digital version also saw a $100 price jump to $599.99, while the PS5 Pro will be priced at $899.99, representing a $150 bump.

Comparable price adjustments were implemented across other markets such as the UK, Europe, and Japan.

The move comes as U.S. tariffs have disrupted international commerce with all trading partners, and follows Sony’s previous $50 price increase last August. Meanwhile, the conflict in Iran—currently in its fourth week—has severely constrained energy and manufacturing supply chains, driving up costs for consumer products like electronics.

Once the new pricing takes effect, Sony’s PlayStation will have risen approximately 30% in cost compared to the same period last year.

In a statement posted on its official blog, Sony acknowledged that “We understand that pricing adjustments affect our customers. Following thorough consideration, we determined this action was essential to maintain our ability to provide cutting-edge, premium gaming experiences to our global player base.”

While not officially named as a factor, Iran’s recent strike on Qatar’s liquefied natural gas export terminal caused the facility to cease operations, jeopardizing global helium supplies critical for chip production. According to U.S. Geological Survey data, Qatar accounts for one-third of worldwide helium output.

Qatar’s government-run energy firm announced that the closure would reduce helium shipments by 14%. Industry experts note that reduced availability typically leads to price spikes, a situation that could worsen if the conflict continues for an extended period.

Although commonly associated with inflating balloons, helium plays a crucial role in fabricating the semiconductors found in computers and numerous other electronic products.

Sony recently disclosed that its earnings for the October-December period climbed 11% to 377.3 billion yen ($2.4 billion), leading the corporation to upgrade its annual profit projection to 1.13 trillion yen ($7.2 billion).

The PlayStation console celebrated its 30th anniversary in North America and Europe last year.

Competitor Microsoft had already increased pricing on select Xbox models in September—prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Iran—justifying the move due to “shifts in the broader economic landscape.”