Anyone who has a PlayStation 5 at home starts to feel like they have almost a small treasure: Instead of getting cheaper over the years, Sony's console keeps going up in price in EuropeWhat was once an exception is starting to resemble a new norm within the console market.
After several upward revisions since its launch in 2020, The Japanese brand has confirmed a new price adjustment for the entire PS5 family in Europe.This move, which comes at the height of the generation's maturity, consolidates an unusual trend: it is becoming increasingly difficult to access the PlayStation ecosystem.
From the first rumors to the official confirmation of the price increase
Before Sony made a public statement, The first alarms were raised in Francewhere some content creators claimed that stores were being informed of an imminent price increase for the PS5 and its derivative models. These leaks already mentioned a €100 price hike for PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro, in addition to An extra 30 euros for the PlayStation Portal remote device.
One of the voices that generated the most noise was that of insider Gyo, which claimed that several French retailers had received warnings of a drastic increase in console prices in EuropeAccording to their message, the official announcement was imminent, although the exact date on which the changes would be implemented was unknown.
The figures that were being discussed in those early rumors pointed to a PS5 priced around 649,99 Eurosa PS5 Digital Edition hovering around 599,99 Euros and a PS5 Pro scaling up to 899,99 Euroswith PlayStation Portal moving to 249,99 EurosThese were amounts that many viewed with skepticism, but which fit within the context of general increase in costs for components such as RAM and storage.
This speculation was also supported by the company's recent history: This was not the first time PlayStation had raised the price of its hardware this generation, something that at the time already broke with the usual logic of the sector.
The new PS5 price list in Europe from April 2nd
As the weeks went by, What began as a rumor has ended up crystallizing into a official announcementSony has announced through its channels that there will be a new price increase in Europe effective from [date missing]. April 2th 2026affecting both consoles and PlayStation Portal.
These are the recommended prices in the European market after the review:
- PlayStation 5 with reader (PS5 / PS5 Slim): 649,99 euros (previously €549,99)
- PlayStation 5 Digital Edition: 599,99 euros (previously €499,99)
- PlayStation 5 Pro: 899,99 euros (previously €799,99)
- PlayStation Portal: 249,99 euros (previously €219,99)
In practice, All PS5 range consoles suddenly increase in price by 100 euros in EuropeThe remote gaming device adds €30 to the price. This brings the most powerful model dangerously close to the psychological barrier of €1.000, something unprecedented for a mainstream home console.
This change means that the standard model with reader is now located 50 euros above direct competitors such as Xbox Series X in some European marketsDespite the fact that Microsoft's console has also seen price adjustments in recent years, the gap, therefore, leans even further towards PlayStation in terms of entry cost.
In the case of PlayStation Portal, The price increase from €219,99 to €249,99 consolidates its position as a clearly premium accessory.far from being a mere affordable add-on for those who already have a PS5 at home.
A look back at all the PS5 price increases since its launch
To understand why this latest revision has generated so much conversation, it's worth looking back. The PlayStation 5 arrived on the European market in November 2020 with two main configurations: the version with a disc drive 499,99 Euros and the digital edition, without an optical drive, to 399,99 Euros.
Two years later, in August 2022, came the first unexpected twist. Sony announced a €50 price increase for both models in Europe.bringing the PS5 with a disc drive to €549,99 and the PS5 Digital Edition to €449,99. The move caught many gamers by surprise, as they are used to seeing consoles become cheaper over time.
But it didn't end there. In April 2025, The digital version of PS5 received a second price increase of 50 euros, up to 499,99 euros, already in its Slim format, which had replaced the original model in 2023. The model with a reader, however, maintained the price it had already reached after the increase in 2022.
In parallel, The PS5 Pro landed in European stores in November 2024 at €799,99 In its 2TB version without a disc drive, its price remained unchanged until the 2026 adjustment. PlayStation Portal also debuted during that same period at €219,99, becoming the official device for remote play from PS5.
If all these reviews are added together, the result is conclusive: The standard model with reader has increased in price by 150 euros since its launch price.Meanwhile, the digital edition has seen a price increase of €200 in six years. For many users, the feeling is clear: entering the PS5 generation now is significantly more expensive than it was in 2020.
The reasons given by Sony: global economic pressure and rising costs
In their official statements, Sony justifies this new price increase by citing "continuous pressures in the global economic landscape."The company points directly to factors such as sustained inflation, the increased cost of key components, supply chain tensions, and rising energy costs.
According to spokespeople for the PlayStation division, The adjustment was made after carefully evaluating the cost situation internationally.The message they convey is that it is an unpopular measure, but one they consider necessary to continue offering the level of product and services their players expect.
Behind these words lies a context that is repeated in other technological sectors: RAM, storage, and other electronic components have experienced significant price fluctuations.This directly impacts hardware manufacturing costs. Added to this are less favorable exchange rates for the yen and logistical expenses still strained after the problems stemming from the pandemic.
On a more speculative level, some analysts suggest that Sony may be trying to bolster profitability per unit sold rather than solely pursuing volume.. With a console base already very large in EuropeThe company would prefer to improve margins instead of focusing entirely on selling at the lowest possible price.
A change in trend in the console market
Beyond the specific figures, What's striking is how PS5 has reversed the classic logic of the console market.For decades, it was normal for the price of hardware to decrease gradually, with internal revisions that reduced production costs and somewhat cheaper Slim models.
In this generation, the film is different. Not only has there not been a sustained price drop, but the cost of the PS5 has been increasing over timeeven when the console has been in stores for years and the technology it relies on is no longer so new.
The new price list puts particular emphasis on PS5 Digital Edition, which goes from being the most affordable entry point to operating in a much more demanding range.From the initial €399,99 to the current €599,99 there is a jump of 50%, a considerable increase for a model that does without a disc drive.
For its part, The PS5 Pro is positioned in a territory that, for some users, borders on being off-putting.With €899,99 on the table, a comparison with certain mid-to-high-end PCs, capable of offering similar or superior performance, becomes inevitable.
This scenario opens the debate about whether Consoles remain the most logical and economical entry point to video games or if, because of these price levelsMore and more players will opt for alternatives such as PC, direct competition, or the second-hand market.
Impact on European players and the PS5 lifecycle
The price increase, which comes into effect in April, comes at a delicate moment in the console's life cycle. At this point, there are still millions of users in Europe who have not made the jump to PS5either because they're still on PS4, or because they were waiting for a particularly attractive offer or bundle.
For that type of player, The new price threshold presents an additional obstacle when making a decision.What could have been an impulse purchase or a relatively affordable Christmas gift now requires more serious planning of household spending.
The situation may also affect the growth rate of the PS5 installed base in EuropeThe higher the entry cost, the longer the purchase decision is delayed and the more weight options such as waiting for a future generation, resorting to second-hand purchases, or opting for other platforms gain.
In parallel, Players who already own the console are looking at their investment in a different light.The implicit message is that if the hardware increases in value in stores, it's worth taking extra care of it to extend its lifespan, because replacing it isn't going to be cheap.
All of this is happening, moreover, at a time when major releases are on the horizon, such as GTA 6, which This could spark interest in the console and become a marketing tool to sell more units despite the new price.There are those who interpret the rise as a way to take advantage of that media attention.
With this new price tier, PS5 establishes itself in Europe as a clearly premium productFar removed from the idea of ​​an "affordable for everyone" console that dominated previous cycles, the combination of inflation, manufacturing costs, and business strategy has led to a scenario where acquiring a PlayStation 5 has never been so expensive, and where each buyer will have to carefully consider whether the jump to the current generation is worthwhile under these conditions.
