Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsYes—especially people buying a console now. Effective August 1, 2026, U.S. list prices for Xbox consoles rose by $100 or $150, putting the least expensive current Xbox at $499.99 and the disc-drive Series X at $799.99. But the change is not a price increase on “all Xbox products”: Microsoft’s announcement covers consoles, while Game Pass prices moved down in April under different terms.
What are the new U.S. Xbox prices?
Microsoft announced the worldwide console price change on June 25, 2026, with new prices taking effect August 1. The figures below are U.S. list prices reported by Windows Central; Microsoft confirmed the effective date and increase amounts in its announcement.
| Model | Previous U.S. list price | Price from August 1, 2026 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S, 512GB | $399.99 | $499.99 | $100 |
| Xbox Series S, 1TB | $449.99 | $599.99 | $150 |
| Xbox Series X Digital, 1TB | $599.99 | $749.99 | $150 |
| Xbox Series X with disc drive, 1TB | $649.99 | $799.99 | $150 |
Microsoft also said it would sunset the 2TB model. That is a product-line decision, not proof that every remaining unit disappeared on August 1; retailers may still have stock. Microsoft described the increase as worldwide, but local prices vary with currency, taxes, availability, and retailer pricing. These are manufacturer list prices, not a guarantee of what a store charges today.
Why did Microsoft raise console prices?
Microsoft attributed the increase to higher memory and storage costs. The company said those costs had risen more than 2.5 times and forecast another doubling by fall 2027. That forecast is not an announcement of another Xbox price increase. Microsoft also said console makers typically sell hardware below cost and noted that it had already raised U.S. console prices by $20–$70 the previous October. Those are the company’s explanations, not independently verified cost accounting for each model or market. Microsoft’s price announcement contains its rationale.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#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.
Windows Central linked the increase to broader pressure on RAM, NAND, and other components. Whatever the underlying mix of costs, the consumer-facing effect is clear: the new list prices make the upfront commitment substantially larger, especially for buyers who also need games, a subscription, or extra storage.
Did every Xbox product get more expensive?
No. The August announcement specifically concerns Xbox consoles. It does not establish a simultaneous across-the-board increase for controllers, headsets, expansion cards, games, or every subscription plan.
Game Pass prices went down, with a catalog change
On April 21, 2026, Microsoft reduced the U.S. monthly price of Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 and PC Game Pass from $16.49 to $13.99. In the same change, future Call of Duty titles will no longer be included at launch in Ultimate or PC Game Pass; Microsoft said new titles are expected to arrive around the following holiday season, roughly a year later. Existing Call of Duty games already in the catalog remain available under the stated policy. The price reduction and the altered launch benefit need to be weighed together. See Microsoft’s Game Pass update.
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, game, and storage prices need product-specific evidence
Retail prices for accessories and expansion cards can change independently, but the console announcement does not show that every such item went up on August 1. Likewise, it does not establish a universal increase for Xbox games. Check the exact product and seller rather than applying the console change to an entire category.
Recommended Free Tools
How much more expensive is Xbox than at launch?
The 1TB disc-drive Series X launched at $499 in 2020 and is now listed at $799.99, a cumulative nominal increase of about $300. The Series S launched at $299; its 512GB configuration is now listed at $499.99. Launch prices and storage configurations are documented in the 2020 Xbox Series X|S fact sheet, while post-increase U.S. prices are reported by Windows Central.
That is a comparison of nominal list prices, not a measure of inflation-adjusted cost or current street prices. A retailer may discount, bundle, or run out of a model, so compare the checkout total rather than assuming MSRP is the amount every buyer will pay.
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.
Which gamers will feel the increase most?
New buyers and families
They face the largest immediate impact because they have to pay the new hardware price to enter the ecosystem. A family buying more than one console feels the increase multiple times. The $499.99 Series S is Microsoft’s lowest-cost current Xbox, but it is no longer a sub-$400 option at list price.
Existing owners
If your console works and meets your needs, the new list price does not raise the cost of continuing to use it. The change matters when you need a replacement, want a second console, move from Series S to Series X, or want more internal storage.
Series S shoppers
Series S is smaller and less powerful than Series X, but both use the broad Xbox ecosystem, including backward compatibility, cloud saves, Smart Delivery, and Game Pass access. The Series S can be a sensible choice for buyers who prioritize a lower entry cost over performance and do not need a disc drive. Its storage is a key part of the budget: Microsoft says dedicated expansion cards for Series X|S replicate the consoles’ custom-SSD experience, but the card’s price is separate and varies. Check the Xbox console comparison and current seller pricing before treating the console’s sticker price as the whole cost.
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.
Performance-focused and physical-media buyers
Series X is the higher-performance option for buyers who want stronger resolution and frame-rate capability. The digital 1TB version is $749.99; the disc-drive version is $799.99. A disc drive can matter if you own physical games or use used-game and disc-sale markets, but whether that flexibility justifies the premium depends on your library and buying habits. Digital-only buyers should not assume the drive-free model is inexpensive simply because it lacks a drive.
Game Pass subscribers
Subscribers face a mixed change rather than a simple price hike: the listed U.S. monthly prices for Ultimate and PC Game Pass fell, while future Call of Duty launch access was removed. The value depends on how often you use the catalog and features such as cloud gaming, online console multiplayer, EA Play, and day-one releases—and on whether waiting for Call of Duty suits you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether to buy, wait, or choose another route
Buy new if the console solves an immediate need
- Choose Series S if you specifically want Xbox access, can live without a disc drive and higher Series X performance, and find the total cost—including any storage you need—acceptable.
- Choose Series X if its performance, 4K output, higher frame-rate capability, or disc drive matters enough to justify the higher upfront price.
- Before paying list price, compare the exact model across retailers. Bundles and temporary discounts can make a new console a better deal than MSRP suggests.
Check certified refurbished before paying full price
Microsoft’s certified refurbished program is a lower-cost option when stock is available. Microsoft says its units are inspected, cleaned, repaired, tested, updated, and repackaged, and that Xbox consoles include a 90-day warranty. Its listings have included Series S 512GB at $329.99, Series S 1TB at $379.99, Series X Digital at $499.99, and Series X at $549.99; these are observed listing prices, not a promise of current availability. Check the Microsoft Certified Refurbished Xbox listings for the model, price, stock, and terms currently offered.
Wait if you can do without a console for now
If you do not need the hardware immediately, waiting lets you compare future retailer promotions without committing at the new list price. A sale is not guaranteed, and Microsoft’s forecast about component costs is not a confirmed future price change. Decide based on the price available when you are ready to buy.
Consider used hardware, a PC, or another console on its actual total cost
Open-box and used consoles can lower the purchase price, but check the seller’s return window, warranty, included controller and cables, and condition. A capable gaming PC may offer upgradeability, mods, and multiple storefronts; another console may suit your preferred games better. Neither alternative is automatically cheaper: compare hardware, games, subscriptions, storage, and the years you expect to use the system. Xbox’s official comparison page also cautions that prices and availability vary by retailer.
Financing does not make the console cost less
Microsoft announced buy-now-pay-later options and access to interest-free financing for up to 12 months through partners, but eligibility, geography, terms, and availability vary. A monthly payment spreads the bill; it does not reduce the total unless the specific offer genuinely carries 0% interest and you meet its terms. Review the provider’s total repayment amount, fees, and missed-payment rules before committing. The options are described in Microsoft’s announcement.
Quick Recap
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.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
