The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are triggering immediate and significant effects throughout international markets. Numerous businesses are halting their sales to the U.S., while others are considering price hikes to offset the financial burden of these tariffs. Coupling this uncertainty with rising inflation and various economic challenges makes the current economic landscape particularly precarious for countries around the world.

Regrettably, these rising operational costs rarely translate into advantages for consumers. Instead, it’s consumers who typically bear the brunt of these additional expenses. A prime example is the PlayStation 5, which has become more costly in many regions—even after four years on the market.

Increasing Costs for PS5

In a recent announcement from the PlayStation Blog, Sony revealed that it would be raising the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the PS5 in “select regions.” This price adjustment affects areas including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand; however, specific changes for the Middle East and Africa were not disclosed. Notably, the U.S. was excluded from any price hikes.

These adjustments are not just minor increases. For instance, the Digital Edition PS5 will cost an additional AUD $100 in Australia, while the standard version now exceeds AUD $800. On a slightly positive note, Sony has lowered the price of the Disc Drive accessory in these particular markets, although this may not bring much relief to affected consumers.

Here’s a breakdown of the current prices in these areas:

• Europe
  • PS5 Digital Edition: €499.99 (an increase of €50)
  • Disc Drive: €79.99 (a decrease of €40)
• UK
  • PS5 Digital Edition: £429.99 (an increase of £40)
  • Disc Drive: £69.99 (a decrease of £30)
• Australia
  • PS5 Digital Edition: AUD $749.95 (an increase of AUD $100)
  • PS5 with disc drive: AUD $829.95 (an increase of AUD $30)
  • Disc Drive: AUD $124.95 (a decrease of AUD $30)
• New Zealand
  • PS5 Digital Edition: NZD $859.95 (an increase of NZD $90)
  • PS5 with disc drive: NZD $949.95 (an increase of NZD $50)
  • Disc Drive: NZD $135.95 (a decrease of NZD $30)

Is the U.S. Next in Line for Price Increases?

This possibility cannot be dismissed. The U.S. market, amidst the tumult of the Trump administration’s unpredictable tariffs, could potentially see similar price changes. Should Sony find itself incurring additional costs when importing PS5 units to the U.S., those expenses might be passed on to American consumers.

Market analysts foresee varying outcomes. For instance, Christopher Dring from The Game Business speculates that Sony might refrain from raising PS5 prices in the U.S., prioritizing the protection of this market over global price adjustments. Conversely, Serkan Toto from Kantan Games believes that an increase is likely forthcoming, suggesting that the current market conditions are conducive to such a change.