PlayStation 5 Prices Set to Increase in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand

Sony has announced price increases for the PlayStation 5 in select markets around the world, effective April 14. The changes will impact consumers in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, while prices in other regions like North America remain unchanged for now.

According to Sony's official announcement, this "tough decision" comes as a response to ongoing economic challenges, including "high inflation rates" and "fluctuating currency exchange rates" that have affected markets globally.

The price adjustments specifically target the PS5 Digital Edition across all affected regions, while the standard PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive will see price increases only in Australia and New Zealand. Here's how the new pricing breaks down:

• In Europe, the PS5 Digital Edition will now cost €499.99, representing a €50 increase. The standard PS5 model will maintain its current price point.

• UK customers will see the Digital Edition rise to £429.99, a £40 increase, while the disc-based model remains at its existing price.

• Australian gamers face increases on both models, with the standard PS5 now priced at AUD $829.95 (up AUD $30) and the Digital Edition reaching AUD $749.95 (an increase of AUD $70).

• New Zealand sees similar adjustments, with the standard model rising to NZD $949.95 (up NZD $40) and the Digital Edition climbing to NZD $859.95 (an increase of NZD $90).

In what appears to be a move to soften the blow of these increases, Sony is simultaneously reducing the price of the standalone PS5 Disc Drive accessory in the affected regions. The new prices for this component will be €79.99 in Europe, £69.99 in the UK, AUD $124.95 in Australia, and NZD $139.95 in New Zealand.

Sony notes that the PS5 Pro, their premium console option, will maintain its current pricing structure across all markets.

The company also indicated that additional markets within the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region might see similar price adjustments, advising consumers to check with local retailers for specific details.

This isn't the first time Sony has implemented regional price increases for its PlayStation products this week. As per reports, PlayStation Plus subscription services recently saw price hikes of 8-21% across 16 Latin American countries, including major markets like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. In Brazil specifically, the annual cost of the Essential tier increased from $54.99 to $64.99, while the Extra and Deluxe tiers saw proportional increases.

While Sony's official statement focuses on regional economic factors like inflation and currency values, industry analysts point to additional pressures affecting global electronics manufacturing. Recent tariff policies implemented by the Trump administration, including a 10% universal import tariff and significantly higher levies on Chinese-made goods (reaching up to 125% as of April 2025), have substantially increased manufacturing costs for electronics companies.

These tariffs are particularly relevant to PlayStation production, as most PS5 components and completed consoles are manufactured in China. While the U.S. market was spared this PS5 price hike, Sony’s largest market could face tariff-related cost pressures, potentially prompting Sony to offset losses by raising prices elsewhere.

The European inflation rate currently sits between 5-7%, with Australia and New Zealand experiencing similar or higher rates. Combined with weakening currencies against the Japanese yen, these economic conditions create significant challenges for Japanese manufacturers like Sony when determining regional pricing strategies.

The timing of these changes coincides with similar market disruptions across the gaming industry. Nintendo recently delayed pre-orders for its anticipated Switch 2 console in U.S. and Canada, with reports suggesting that tariff uncertainties played a role in this decision.