Escalating Xbox prices in the U.S. amid economic instability on a global scale, attributed to Microsoft
The Xbox Series X and Series S consoles have seen a price hike in the United States, marking the second increase this year. As of October 3, 2021, the Xbox Series X with a disc drive now costs $649, an increase of $50 from its previous price of $599. The Xbox Series X without a disc drive, the Series S, now costs $449, up from its original price of $429.
The price increases are not related to any internal changes or updates in the consoles. Instead, they are attributed to higher production and supply chain costs, including semiconductor shortages and increased component prices during that period. Microsoft did not explicitly explain the price increase, but this reasoning aligns with the industry-wide trends.
Interestingly, besides Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have also raised prices on their consoles in the US due to Trump's imposed tariffs. The most expensive version of the Xbox Series X with 2TB of storage will now cost $799, up from its previous price of $729.
It's important to note that the price increases for Xbox consoles do not affect prices in other countries. This means that gamers outside the US can still purchase the consoles at their original prices.
This price adjustment comes as the demand for next-generation consoles continues to grow, with both Xbox Series X and Series S selling well since their launch in November 2020. Despite the price increase, the Xbox Series X and Series S remain competitive in the market, offering advanced gaming features and a vast library of games.
As always, we will continue to monitor any further developments regarding the prices of Xbox consoles and bring you updates as they become available.
