Microsoft to raise Xbox Series X, Game Pass prices

Kip Kniskern

The Verge is reporting that Microsoft is raising the prices of both the Xbox Series X in most countries beginning in August, while leaving the current pricing alone in the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. The increase will bring the Xbox Series X closer to the price of a Sony Playstation 5:

Xbox Series X console pricing will largely match the price hike Sony announced for the PS5 last year, with the Xbox Series X moving to £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 across most European markets, CAD $649.99 in Canada, and AUD $799.99 in Australia starting August 1st. The Xbox Series S pricing will not be adjusted in any markets, remaining at $249.99.

In addition, the price for Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate will be going up as well, from $9.99 to $10.99 per month for the base subscription:

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console pricing will increase starting July 6th. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will move from $14.99 per month to $16.99 (€14.99 / £12.99). The base Xbox Game Pass for Console pricing will also move from $9.99 a month up to $10.99 (€10.99 / £8.99). Microsoft is not changing PC Game Pass pricing, though.

For existing Game Pass subscribers, the price hikes won’t take effect until August 13th (or September 13th in Germany). For those with a yearly code, that price will hold until your subscription runs out.

This is the first price hike for Game Pass subscriptions since their launch in 2017 (Game Pass Ultimate debuted in June 2019).