The PlayStation 5 is about to get more expensive, if you live in the right (or wrong) region. Sony is beginning a PS5 price hike that will affect sticker prices for the PlayStation 5 in various regions across the world, particularly outside the United States.
The PS5 price hike was announced on August 25, 2022 by Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan via a blog post. In the post, Ryan blamed “challenging economic conditions” brought about by inflation, and “adverse currency trends”. In light of the pressure, Ryan said that SIE “made the difficult decision” to increase the recommended retail price (RRP) of the PS5. The price hike will occur in “select markets” throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa (or EMEA), the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM). Even Sony’s home in Japan, and Canada, a close neighbor to the U.S., will be affected.
Ryan said that the price increase was a necessity in the current global economic environment, Sony’s top priority is “improving the PS5 supply situation”. Even now the PS5 is difficult to acquire in many markets, with lines and lotteries forming and selling out extremely quickly.
Here’s the list of suggested points for the PS5 price hike. All prices take effect immediately except for in Japan, where they take effect on September 15, 2022. The post also cautioned that other markets not listed below may see their own price increases. Interested buyers should check with their local retailers.
Overall the percentage price increases range between 3% and 10% from the previous RRP, for the standard, disc-equipped PS5 model. The PS5 Digital Edition, a much less popular model, will see a higher percentage bump.
- Europe
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – €549.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – €449.99
- UK
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – £479.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – £389.99
- Japan (effective Sept. 15, 2022)
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥60,478 yen (including tax)
- PS5 Digital Edition – ¥49,478 yen (including tax)
- China
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥4,299 yuan
- PS5 Digital Edition – ¥3,499 yuan
- Australia
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – AUD $799.95
- PS5 Digital Edition – AUD $649.95
- Mexico
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – MXN $14,999
- PS5 Digital Edition – MXN $12,499
- Canada
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – CAD $649.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – CAD $519.99
Published: Aug 25, 2022 04:30 am