Games

Xbox consoles delivered to shops after 1 May will cost €50 more

Xbox confirms that the price increase is not retroactive

2 May 2025

Un giocatore con un controller Microsoft Xbox (Emmanuel Dunand/Afp)

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Key points

The Xbox consoles are mainly produced in China.

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Microsoft increases the price in Europe of the Xbox Series X and Series S video game consoles, as well as new games and accessories.

The company confirmed this, explaining that as of 1 May, the Series S, which is cheaper, costs EUR 349.99 while the Series X starts at EUR 549.99.

This is an increase of EUR 50 for both, compared to the EUR 299.99 charged for the Series S and EUR 499.99 for the Series X.

The decision affects the international market, including Europe, and comes a few weeks after the target="_self" href="https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/dazi-e-inflazione-sony-ritocca-prezzo-ps5-dell-11percento-AH7BqpJ">price increase of the Sony PlayStation in the EU and UK of around 25 per cent.

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"We know these changes are challenging and have been made with careful consideration, considering market conditions and increased development costs," reads an official Microsoft note. "As we look to the future, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more titles on any screen and ensure value for gamers."

In the US and Canada, the giant also raises the price tag on Xbox headsets, which are exempt in the European block.

While not directly citing the causes, many, such as the specialised website Engadget, attribute the upward strategy to data imposed by Donald Trump.

The Xbox consoles are mainly produced in China.

Xbox consoles are mainly produced in China.

In particular, Foxconn, a Taiwanese multinational, is one of the main manufacturers responsible for assembly in large factories located in Shenzhen.

Xbox confirms that the price increase is not retroactive, so titles already in shops should not be affected, while from Christmas the company will adjust 'the price of some of our new video games'.

The Xbox is not the only price increase for Microsoft, which since February has raised the subscription price for the Microsoft 365 Family service from EUR 99 to EUR 129 per year.

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