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Microsoft’s latest Xbox console price increase took effect worldwide on August 1, 2026. The announced change was $100 more for 512 GB models and $150 more for 1 TB models; Microsoft also said it would sunset the 2 TB model. For U.S. buyers, the October 2025 official price schedule is a useful baseline, but Microsoft’s June 2026 announcement did not publish a complete new U.S. price list.
How much did Xbox prices go up, and when?
In an announcement dated June 25, 2026, Microsoft said the worldwide increase would take effect August 1, 2026. The amount depends on storage tier: 512 GB models rose by US$100 and 1 TB models by US$150. Microsoft also said it would sunset the 2 TB Xbox Series X model. The announcement specifies the increase by tier, not a full set of new U.S. model prices. Microsoft’s Xbox Wire announcement is the primary source for the change.
The U.S. price schedule Microsoft published on October 3, 2025, provides an official pre-increase reference. The table below shows those listed prices, not current prices or a complete post-August 2026 official price list.
| Model | Storage / configuration | U.S. price listed October 3, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S | 512 GB, digital-only | $399.99 |
| Xbox Series S | 1 TB, digital-only | $449.99 |
| Xbox Series X | 1 TB, Digital Edition | $599.99 |
| Xbox Series X | 1 TB, disc drive | $649.99 |
| Xbox Series X Galaxy Black | 2 TB | $799.99 |
These are the prices in Microsoft’s October 3, 2025 U.S. schedule. As an earlier point of comparison, Microsoft’s May 1, 2025 schedule listed the same models at $379.99, $429.99, $549.99, $599.99 and $729.99, respectively. Those May figures were superseded by the October schedule and should not be mistaken for the immediate pre-increase prices. Microsoft’s May 2025 schedule documents that earlier set.
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- 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.
TechCrunch reported model-level post-increase prices of $499 for the Series S 512 GB, $599 for the Series S 1 TB, $750 for the Series X 1 TB Digital Edition and $800 for the Series X 1 TB with disc drive. Those are secondary-reported figures, not a complete official Microsoft U.S. price list; check the seller’s current listing before relying on a price. TechCrunch’s report gives those model-level figures.
Why does Microsoft say prices are rising?
Microsoft attributes the change to higher storage and memory costs. Team Xbox said console storage and memory prices had increased by more than 2.5 times and that it expected another doubling by fall 2027. Those are Microsoft’s claims and forecast, not independently audited industry measurements.
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
“Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make.”
That explanation, including the cost-pressure claim, comes from Team Xbox’s June 25, 2026 announcement. The company did not provide an independently verified industry estimate alongside it.
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 Xbox is the lower-cost option?
Microsoft describes Xbox Series S as its lowest-cost console option. It is digital-only, so games must be acquired and played digitally; it does not support disc play. Series X has digital and disc-drive configurations, so compare the specific version rather than assuming every Series X includes a drive. Microsoft’s product listings describe the configurations and disc capability: Xbox consoles in the Microsoft Store.
The difference matters to the total cost of ownership. A Series S may have a lower purchase price, but it cannot use physical game discs. A disc-drive Series X costs more upfront, while allowing disc use; whether that saves money depends on the games and prices available to you. Storage also differs: compare 512 GB and 1 TB models against the space your installed games require, rather than judging only by the console’s sticker price.
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.
What should U.S. buyers compare before buying?
- Current seller price: Treat the October 2025 list as historical and TechCrunch’s reported figures as secondary reporting. Check Microsoft or the retailer for the price and stock available when you buy.
- Storage: Compare 512 GB with 1 TB capacity and consider how many large games you expect to keep installed.
- Digital-only versus disc: Series S is digital-only. For Series X, verify whether the specific listing is the Digital Edition or the disc-drive model.
- Condition: Compare new, certified refurbished and previously played consoles. Check the actual price, warranty and return terms rather than treating “refurbished” as a uniform offer.
- 2 TB availability: Microsoft said it would sunset the 2 TB model, so do not assume it will remain a regularly available option.
Can refurbished or previously played consoles cost less?
Microsoft said certified refurbished consoles are available through Microsoft Stores for up to US$100 off MSRP. “Up to” describes a maximum discount, not a guaranteed price for every model or a permanent offer; check the listing for current stock, price, warranty and terms. Microsoft also said it was working with retail partners on previously played consoles and trade-ins, but its announcement named no partners or launch dates. Do not assume a specific retailer has a program unless its current terms confirm it.
Financing is another affordability approach Microsoft pointed to, but the announcement does not set out a particular financing plan or its terms. Compare the total amount payable, fees, interest and payment schedule before choosing installments over an upfront purchase.
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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.
