Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced a 20% price increase for the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and its accessories due to escalating costs of components such as semiconductors. The new pricing will take effect from September 2.
According to reports from Nikkei, Mogu Live, and PlayStation Blog, the standard PS5 with a disc drive will now cost JPY79,980 (US$552.7), up from JPY66,980, reflecting a 19% increase. The digital edition will rise to JPY72,980 from JPY59,980, marking a 21% increase.
The PS VR2 headset's price will be JPY89,980, up from JPY74,980, a 20% increase. Additionally, the DualSense wireless controller will now be priced at JPY11,480, an increase from JPY9,480, representing a 21% rise.
This adjustment represents Sony's third price hike for the PS5 in the Japanese market. The console was initially priced at JPY54,978 when it launched in November 2020. It increased to JPY60,478 in September 2022 and to JPY66,980 in November 2023. The new price of JPY79,980 is approximately JPY25,000 higher than the launch price.
In contrast, the PlayStation 4 has not experienced any price increases since its release. Sony has attributed the PS5 price adjustment to rising costs for semiconductors and memory. Sony Group president Hiroki Totoki noted in February 2024 that reducing costs for the PS5 compared to previous generations, such as the PS4, has become increasingly challenging. Despite these rising costs, Sony remains committed to offering products that are accessible to users.
For fiscal 2024 (April 2024 to March 2025), Sony has set a sales target of 18 million PS5 units, a reduction from the 20.8 million units targeted for the fiscal year 2023.
