Sony is raising the price of the PS5 (again)
Sony has recently announced a significant price increase for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition in several regions, including Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The new pricing is as follows:
- Europe: €499.99 (up from €449.99)
- UK: £429.99 (up from £389.99)
- Australia: AUD $749.95 (up from AUD $649.95)
- New Zealand: NZD $859.95 (up from NZD $749.95)
Sony attributes this increase to "a challenging economic environment," citing factors such as high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates. Notably, the standard PS5 with a disc drive and the PS5 Pro remain unaffected by this price adjustment.
The timing of this price hike has sparked criticism among gamers, as it precedes the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), scheduled for Fall 2025. Some fans speculate that Sony is leveraging the upcoming game's launch to justify the price increase, especially given rumors that GTA 6 may be priced as high as $100 at launch.
While Sony maintains that the price adjustment is due to economic factors, the decision has led to frustration within the gaming community, particularly among those planning to purchase a PS5 specifically for GTA 6.
For a more in-depth discussion on this topic, you might find the following video insightful: