Microsoft has announced a global price increase for its Xbox console lineup, attributing the decision to the escalating costs of memory and storage chips. The premium Xbox Series X, which previously retailed for £500, will now cost £670. The entry-level Xbox Series S has seen a roughly 43% increase, moving from £300 to £430.
These adjustments follow similar trends in the technology sector, as companies grapple with the high demand for hardware components. The price of random-access memory (RAM) and graphics cards has surged, driven in part by the requirements of artificial intelligence firms. Other industry players, including Sony, have also raised prices for their hardware, with the PlayStation 5 seeing a £90 increase earlier this year.
The price hikes have drawn criticism from some consumers, who have expressed frustration over paying higher prices for hardware that has been on the market for several years. Jez Corden, an editor at Windows Central, suggested on social media that these increases may not represent the final price ceiling for the industry.
The move comes during a challenging period for Microsoft’s gaming division, which recently reported a dip in revenue. In July, the company initiated a significant restructuring effort, resulting in approximately 3,200 job cuts. As hardware costs continue to climb, some industry observers suggest that consumers may increasingly turn toward game streaming services as an alternative to purchasing consoles.
Source: BBC News
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