Sony has announced a price increase for several models of its PlayStation 5 console in parts of Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. This results from rising inflation and volatile exchange rates amid growing global economic uncertainty.
In a blog post on Monday, Sony said the adjustments were a “tough decision” made in response to the “challenging economic environment.” The U.S. market, however, is exempt from the new pricing changes.
In Europe, the digital-only PS5 now sells for €499.99, while in the UK, it’s priced at £429.99 representing a more than 10% increase. Australia and New Zealand have also seen price jumps across both digital and standard models. Although Sony has not released a specific pricing update for African markets, the company confirmed that some models will cost more across the region.
The announcement marks a rare price revision for a console mid-cycle. It just shows the growing pressure tech companies face in a turbulent global economy influenced by geopolitical tensions and trade policies, including renewed tariffs from the United States.
Interestingly, the PS5 Pro, Sony’s high-performance variant launched in 2024, will retain its current pricing. Meanwhile, the price of the PS5’s external Blu-ray disc drive accessory is set to decrease slightly, though Sony did not elaborate on the rationale behind that adjustment.
Originally launched in 2020, the PS5 became one of the world’s most popular gaming consoles, with strong demand throughout the pandemic. Sony’s strategy to exclude the U.S. from the increase is seen as an effort to preserve market share in its largest market, while managing financial headwinds elsewhere.
