Microsoft announced worldwide Xbox console price increases effective August 1, 2026: US$100 more for 512 GB models and US$150 more for 1 TB models. It also said the 2 TB model would be discontinued. The announcement does not mention controllers, so a worldwide controller price increase is not confirmed by the available official information.
What changed, and when
In its June 25, 2026 announcement, Microsoft said Xbox console prices would change worldwide starting August 1, 2026. The increases are stated in US dollars by storage tier—not as complete new prices for each console model or as country-specific retail totals. Microsoft also said it would sunset the 2 TB model. Read Microsoft’s announcement.
| Console storage tier | Announced change |
|---|---|
| 512 GB | Increase of US$100, according to Microsoft’s June 25, 2026 announcement |
| 1 TB | Increase of US$150, according to Microsoft’s June 25, 2026 announcement |
| 2 TB | Microsoft said this model would be sunset; the announcement does not give a replacement price |
Those are increases, not the consoles’ final prices. Check current listings in your country before budgeting: the announcement does not provide local-currency totals or a full price list by model and market.
Did Xbox controllers also get more expensive?
The June 25 announcement covers console prices and does not mention controllers. It therefore does not establish a controller price increase, its timing, affected models, or whether it applies worldwide.
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A separate Xbox Design Lab guide dated December 1, 2025 lists starting prices of US$79.99 for the Xbox Wireless Controller and US$169.99 for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Those are listed starting prices—not evidence that prices rose, or that any change applied worldwide. See the Design Lab guide.
Why Microsoft says console prices are rising
Microsoft attributed the console changes to higher storage and memory costs and broader component pressure. In its June 25 announcement, Xbox said storage and memory prices had increased by more than 2.5 times and forecast another doubling by fall 2027. These are the company’s explanation and forecast, not independently verified market measurements.
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In a June 10, 2026 message, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said the price Xbox paid for console storage components was “over 2x as high as we paid last fall” when she joined in February. She also projected another significant increase for the 2027 holiday season, which she said could put costs “over 5x the prices we paid only two years earlier.” These statements describe Xbox’s costs and expectations; they are not audited final costs. Read Sharma’s message.
Microsoft also noted that it had raised U.S. console prices by US$20–US$70 the previous October. That earlier increase was described as U.S.-specific; it should not be confused with the worldwide changes effective August 1, 2026.
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Ways to reduce the upfront cost
Compare Series S with other Xbox options
Microsoft describes Series S as its lowest-cost console option for playing Xbox games. That makes it a sensible model to compare if upfront price is the priority, but the announcement does not establish that Series S is exempt from the announced changes. Check its current price and storage configuration in your market.
Check refurbished and previously played consoles
Microsoft points buyers to Xbox Certified Refurbished consoles at Microsoft Stores and previously played consoles through retail partners. It said refurbished consoles could be up to US$100 off MSRP. That is a potential saving, not a guaranteed local price or recurring discount; availability and terms depend on the market and listing.
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- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
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- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
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Review financing terms before committing
Microsoft also mentioned hardware financing for eligible buyers. Payment options and eligibility vary by region, so compare the total amount payable, fees, and payment schedule with the cost of buying outright before choosing a plan.
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What buyers should check before purchasing
- Confirm the console model, storage capacity, and current local price; the announced US-dollar increases do not provide a full country-by-country price list.
- Compare Series S, refurbished stock, and previously played consoles using current listings rather than assuming any option is unaffected by the changes.
- For a controller purchase, check the current model-specific price directly. The announced console changes do not confirm a controller increase.
- If considering financing, verify local eligibility and the total cost of payments.
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.
