Berlin, Germany – Sony has recently announced a price increase for the PlayStation 5 consoles in various regions including Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The decision to raise the recommended retail prices was attributed to the challenging economic conditions marked by high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates.
The new prices, set to take effect from April 14th, will see an increase in the cost of the PS5 Digital Edition in Europe and the UK, while the price of the standard PS5 with a disc drive remains unchanged. In Australia and New Zealand, both the standard and digital edition PS5 will see a rise in their recommended retail prices. The PS5 Pro, however, will maintain its current pricing.
These price hikes come in the wake of similar increases in 2022, making the PS5 significantly more expensive in various markets compared to its launch price. The increase in price for the PS5 Digital Edition is particularly notable, with European and UK prices now €100/£70 higher than the launch price, Australian prices up by AUD $80 for the standard version and AUD $150 for the digital edition, and New Zealand prices increasing by NZD $130 for the standard PS5 and NZD $210 for the digital edition.
On the flip side, the recommended retail price for the PS5 disc drive is decreasing in Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. This move to lower the price of the disc drive model may influence purchasing decisions for potential buyers who prefer physical game discs over digital downloads.
Industry analysts speculate that the price adjustments could be a strategic move by Sony to navigate the current economic landscape while maintaining profitability. This news has sparked discussions among gamers and industry experts, who are closely monitoring how these changes will impact the availability and demand for the popular gaming console in the coming months.