Sony raises PlayStation 5 prices globally by up to $100 amid surging memory chip costs

Sony Group has raised prices for the PlayStation 5 consoles globally, including an increase of $100 for the standard PS5 model in the United States. This is due to increased production costs of memory chips that are affecting hardware margins. Starting April 2, 2023, the US pricing for the disc version of the PS5 will be $649.99 (previously $549.99), the digital version of the PS5 will be $599.99 and the PS5 Pro will be $899.99. In addition, PlayStation Portal handheld systems will now retail for $249.99 (previously $199.99).

Sony has also increased prices for the same products in Europe and Japan as they continue to evaluate pressure on their global supply chain. This is the second price increase for the PS5s since August 2022 when prices increased by approximately $50 in the US.

The expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure has directed memory production toward high margin data center chips, restricting supply of memory chips for consumer electronics including gaming consoles. The price of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and NAND flash memory have sharply increased under contract from the end of 2025 to 2026 and is essential to performance and storage capacity/functionality for the PS5.

Console manufacturers were able to secure supplies of memory beforehand, but have recently experienced renewed pricing pressures because of an inventory adjustment of stockpiled memory inventory. Additionally, continued memory price increases are anticipated going into 2026, which may dampen growth in hardware sales due to higher consumer entry price points. Microsoft raised the price of its Xbox consoles last year as it experienced similar issues.