Microsoft says the price of Xbox consoles will increase on August 1 by $100 for 512GB models and $150 for 1TB models, the third price increase since 2025

Microsoft is increasing the prices of Xbox Series consoles once more and introducing a ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ option

Kotaku 2026-06-25 Kenneth Shepard

Context & Ripple Effects

Microsoft’s August increase extends a sequence that began with global Xbox console, controller, and game price rises in 2025. Related coverage also records separate planned Series S/X increases and a higher Xbox Development Kit price, indicating that the pressure has reached both consumer hardware and the developer-facing ecosystem.

At the same time, Microsoft is broadening Xbox Cloud Gaming access beyond its highest Game Pass tier and testing access to more PC games. The combination makes the console less singular as the gateway to Xbox’s software and subscription services.

First-order effects

Xbox buyers face materially higher upfront prices for 512GB and 1TB console models from August 1; the new Buy Now, Pay Later option lowers the immediate payment hurdle without reducing the listed price.
Microsoft gains another lever to protect hardware economics while continuing to steer users toward Game Pass and cloud access across devices.

Second-order effects

Repeated hardware increases make competing console price positions more consequential and may push prospective Xbox customers to compare lower-entry alternatives, including cloud access and PC gaming, rather than simply choosing among console configurations.
The higher Xbox Development Kit price means studios building for the platform also face increased tooling costs, adding pressure to Microsoft’s effort to keep the Xbox software pipeline attractive as consumer hardware becomes pricier.

Third-order effects

If pricing and cloud-access expansion continue together, Xbox may become less centered on subsidized console adoption and more centered on monetizing software, subscriptions, and access across hardware Microsoft does not sell.
That transition carries a trade-off: broader device reach can reduce dependence on console unit sales, but repeated price increases risk weakening the installed base that developers and platform services still rely on.

The trend: This is part of Xbox’s shift from a console-led model toward higher-priced hardware paired with wider subscription and cloud distribution.

Discussion

XBOX Wire XBOX Wire on x
Updated XBOX Console Prices
Pure Xbox Fraser Gilbert on x
Xbox Announces Worldwide Price Increases For Series X|S Consoles
@wario64 @wario64 on x
“Effective August 1, 2026, the price of XBOX consoles will increase by US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models. We will be updating prices worldwide. We will also be sunsetting our 2 TB model.” https://news.xbox.com/... [image]
@futterish.fsquared.biz Mike Futter on bluesky
$750 for an Xbox Series X. Good luck, I guess. — news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
r/LastStandMedia r on reddit
Xbox once again raises console prices
r/gamingnews r on reddit
XBOX Console Prices to Rise by $100-150
r/TwoBestFriendsPlay r on reddit
Another day, another console price hike.
r/gamesEcultura r on reddit
Xbox anuncia novo aumento de preço dos consoles
r/XboxSeriesS r on reddit
Xbox console prices going up $100/$150
r/videogames r on reddit
Updated XBOX Console Prices - XBOX Wire
r/VideoGameDealsCanada r on reddit
[XBOX] Updated XBOX Console Prices (Effective August 1, 2026, the price of XBOX consoles will increase by US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models)
r/xbox r on reddit
Updated XBOX Console Prices - XBOX Wire
r/Games r on reddit
Updated XBOX Console Prices
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Microsoft is hiking the price of its Xbox consoles by $100 or more. The discless Xbox Series X will start at $749.99, while the disc drive version is $799.99. Overall, 512GB models will be $100 more expensive, while 1TB models will be $150 more expensive https://www.theverge.com/…
@rayrobertson.uk Ray Robertson on bluesky
In a statement a Microsoft representative, inexplicably dressed as a hot dog, said: — “We're all trying to find the guy who did this.” — (A text based meme as memory is too expensive for images) [embedded post]
r/Games r on reddit
Updated XBOX Console Prices - XBOX Wire
r/IrelandGaming r on reddit
Xbox Announces Price Increase for Series S & X
r/GameFeed r on reddit
Xbox Now Offering Loans As It Jacks Console Prices Up Past $750: ‘The Entire Consumer Electronics Industry Is Struggling’
@zachbussey.tos.gg Zach Bussey on bluesky
Important for creators to see this line: — “Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x, and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027.” — More details: news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
r/gamernews r on reddit
Microsoft will be increasing the price of Xbox consoles on August 1st and discontinuing the 2TB model
r/GearsOfWar r on reddit
For those of you wanting an Xbox before E-Day releases

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