Sony is increasing the price of the PS5 console around the world, with the US being the only major market to stick with existing pricing.

Consumers across Europe, Japan, China, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the UK will all see the price of the PS5 increase to varying degrees, while the US retains its $500 price point, and $400 for the Digital Edition. The price increase works out to between $35-$50 depending on the market and is effective as of this morning (except in Japan).

Posting on the PlayStation.Blog, Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan explained the increase was necessary due to, "high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends, impacting consumers and creating pressure on many industries." He goes on to say that the priority for Sony is to continue to try and increase supply of the console because they are still really hard to find in stock anywhere.

The price hike comes a few days after Sony announced a new DualSense Edge controller and pinned down the PlayStation VR2 release as happening in early 2023. It seems likely both of those PS5 products will also be impacted by inflation and currency trends, meaning they could carry a lower price in the US than everywhere else. And of course, everyone is now left wondering if Microsoft will end up increasing the price of the Xbox Series X and Series S in the weeks ahead.

PC Magazine