So, it finally happened. If you’re an Xbox aficionado living in Europe or the UK, you might want to sit down for this one. The price of the Xbox Series X has officially jumped by a whopping €200. Yes, you heard that right—two hundred euros. Just when you thought your wallet was safe!
Effective August 1, 2026, Microsoft raised Xbox Series X and S prices for the third time in 15 months due to a 2.5x increase in memory and storage costs. The flagship Series X disc drive now costs $799.99 (up $150), while the 512GB Series S rose to $499.99 (up $100). Microsoft also discontinued the 2TB Galaxy Black model and warned that component costs are expected to double again by late 2027.
Now, before you start throwing your controllers at the wall, let’s unpack this a little. The price increase comes as Microsoft continues to grapple with the reality of rising production costs, supply chain issues, and, let’s be honest, the general inflation that seems to be hitting us all like a bad hangover.
For those of you who might be wondering, the new price tags are €599 for the Series X and €499 for the Series S. It’s like Microsoft decided to give us all a little surprise party, but instead of cake, they brought a hefty bill. Thanks, guys!
But why the steep increase? Well, Microsoft hasn’t been shy about the challenges they’ve faced lately—everything from chip shortages to the cost of raw materials has been on the rise. It’s almost as if they’re trying to tell us that making video game consoles is not as easy as it looks (who knew?).
Now, before you rush out to buy an old-school console or start hunting for a second-hand unit, let’s take a moment to consider the implications of this price hike. First off, it’s likely that this won’t be the last increase we see. Other companies in the gaming space are also feeling the pinch, and if history has taught us anything, it’s that once prices start climbing, they tend to keep going up like a balloon at a kid’s birthday party.
On the bright side, if you were already planning to splurge on a new console, you might want to act fast. After all, who doesn’t love a good retail frenzy? It’s like Black Friday, but with more high-pitched squeals and less turkey.
And let’s not forget about the games! With the new price tag comes the added pressure for Microsoft to deliver top-tier gaming experiences. If we’re going to pay more, we better get a gaming library that’s worth every cent. So, fingers crossed for some epic titles coming our way soon!
In conclusion, while the price hike might sting a little, it’s a reminder that in the world of gaming, nothing is ever set in stone. Prices fluctuate, trends change, and at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to keep our gaming dreams alive. So, whether you’re a die-hard Xbox fan or just a casual gamer, let’s brace ourselves for whatever comes next in this ever-evolving gaming landscape.
Until then, keep your controllers charged and your wallets ready—it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Inspired by: “Xbox price increases in Europe and UK fully revealed, with Series X now costing €200 more” (r/technology)