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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallXbox prices changed in two separate rounds: Microsoft raised U.S. recommended prices for consoles and selected accessories in May 2025, then announced a further worldwide console increase effective August 1, 2026. The later change is based on console storage capacity; Microsoft did not publish a complete new model-by-model price list. Separately, some new first-party games were expected to cost $79.99 during the 2025 holiday season—not every Xbox game.
When did Xbox prices go up?
The changes happened in stages, so the date and region matter when comparing prices.
- May 1, 2025: Microsoft’s U.S. recommended retail prices increased for Xbox consoles and selected accessories. Windows Central reported changes across the U.S., European Union, U.K. and Australia, with other markets also affected at prices that varied by currency and retailer.
- 2025 holiday season: Microsoft expected some new first-party games to be priced at $79.99. That was a limited statement about selected releases, not a universal Xbox game price.
- August 1, 2026: A separate worldwide console price increase took effect, announced by Xbox on June 25, 2026.
What are the new Xbox console prices?
For the August 2026 change, Microsoft specified the increase by storage capacity: US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models. It also said its 2 TB model would be sunset. The June 25, 2026 Xbox Wire announcement does not provide a complete new MSRP list for every model and market, so older prices should not be used to calculate current prices.
The following figures are Microsoft’s historical U.S. recommended retail prices effective May 1, 2025. They are not current October 2026 quotes.
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
| Console | U.S. recommended price, May 1, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Xbox Series S, 512 GB | $379.99 |
| Xbox Series S, 1 TB | $429.99 |
| Xbox Series X Digital | $549.99 |
| Xbox Series X | $599.99 |
| Xbox Series X 2 TB Galaxy Black Special Edition | $729.99 |
These prices come from Microsoft’s U.S. recommended retail price sheet dated May 1, 2025. For a purchase today, check the current listing for the specific model and seller; the 2026 announcement establishes the size and timing of the increase, not each resulting retail price.
Did Xbox controllers and headsets also get more expensive?
Microsoft’s May 1, 2025 U.S. sheet listed higher recommended prices for selected controllers and headsets. These historical U.S. figures are not a statement of current retailer prices.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
| Accessory | U.S. recommended price, May 1, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Xbox Wireless Controller Core | $64.99 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller Color | $69.99 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller Special Edition | $79.99 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller Limited Edition | $89.99 |
| Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Core | $149.99 |
| Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Full | $199.99 |
| Xbox Stereo Headset | $64.99 |
| Xbox Wireless Headset | $119.99 |
The May 1, 2025 Windows Central report described regional changes in the U.S., European Union, U.K. and Australia; prices elsewhere varied by currency and retailer. The Associated Press reported that some wireless controllers were affected and that headset increases applied in the U.S. and Canada. Neither source establishes a new 2026 accessory increase.
Did Xbox games get more expensive?
Microsoft expected some new first-party games to carry a $79.99 price tag during the 2025 holiday season, according to the Associated Press report published May 2, 2025. Windows Central reported that game prices would vary with scope, with some smaller games potentially priced at $50 or less. This evidence describes a tiered approach at that time; it does not establish that all Xbox games, or all current releases, cost $79.99.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Why did Microsoft say prices changed?
For the 2025 increases, Microsoft cited wider market conditions and rising development costs, according to AP. The report did not identify tariffs as Microsoft’s stated reason.
For the 2026 console increase, Microsoft cited higher storage and memory costs and said the component crisis had hit consoles particularly hard. The company also said consoles are typically sold below their manufacturing cost. Those are Microsoft’s explanations of its pricing decision, not independently verified cost figures. It said storage and memory prices had risen by more than 2.5 times and expected another doubling by fall 2027; that future estimate is the company’s forecast as stated on June 25, 2026.
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
How can you spend less on an Xbox?
Microsoft said certified refurbished consoles are available through Microsoft Stores for up to US$100 off MSRP. It also said it was working with retail partners on previously played consoles and trade-ins, but did not name those partners or specify their offers. Compare the exact model, storage capacity, disc-drive format, seller, condition and current price before buying.
For model differences, Microsoft’s Xbox console overview describes Series X as offering native 4K with disc-drive and disc-free options, while Series S is disc-free, designed for 1440p with 4K upscaling, and positioned as the lower-cost model. Confirm the specifications and current pricing on the product listing for the model and market you are considering.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
