Microsoft’s latest Xbox Series X and Series S price increases are now in effect, raising the cost of every current console model in the United States.
The changes took effect on August 1, 2026. Depending on the model, official prices have increased by between $100 and $150.
The standard Xbox Series X with a disc drive now costs $799.99, up from $649.99. The all digital Series X has risen from $599.99 to $749.99.
The Xbox Series S has also become considerably more expensive. The 512GB model now costs $499.99, while the 1TB version has increased to $599.99.
Microsoft has linked the changes to rising manufacturing and component costs. Memory, storage, and advanced chip prices have increased across the technology industry, placing additional pressure on console makers.
New Xbox Prices Took Effect on August 1
The largest increases apply to the Xbox Series X models and the 1TB Series S, each of which has risen by $150.
The 512GB Series S received a smaller but still substantial $100 increase.
| Xbox model | Previous price | New price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 512GB | $399.99 | $499.99 | $100 |
| Xbox Series S 1TB | $449.99 | $599.99 | $150 |
| Xbox Series X Digital 1TB | $599.99 | $749.99 | $150 |
| Xbox Series X 1TB with disc drive | $649.99 | $799.99 | $150 |
The standard Xbox Series X originally launched at $499 in 2020. Its new $799.99 price is roughly $300 higher than that original figure.
That is unusual for console hardware, which has historically become cheaper or remained close to its launch price as manufacturing processes improve.
This generation has followed a different pattern. Inflation, limited component supply, higher memory prices, and changing production costs have repeatedly pushed prices upward.
Retail Prices Are Already Varying
Official pricing does not always match the amount currently shown by retailers.
Some stores still have older inventory, delayed price updates, or third party listings that sit above or below Microsoft’s recommended price. Availability is also uneven, particularly for the Series X.
The standard 1TB Series X has appeared at prices ranging from around $799.99 to more than $860 depending on the retailer and stock status.
The all digital model has been listed for approximately $798 in some stores, which is higher than its new official $749.99 price.
Series S pricing is similarly inconsistent. Some retailers have listed the 1TB model below its new official price, while others have shown much higher figures for limited stock.
| Example listing | Reported retail price |
|---|---|
| Xbox Series X 1TB with disc drive | Around $809.99 |
| Xbox Series X Digital 1TB | Around $798 |
| Xbox Series S 1TB | Around $448 at one retailer |
| Xbox Series S 512GB | Around $499 |
These listings can change quickly. A lower price may reflect remaining stock purchased before the increase, while unusually high prices may come from third party sellers or limited availability.
Buyers should compare the seller, warranty, shipping cost, and return policy rather than relying only on the headline price.
The Series S Is No Longer a Low Cost Console
The Xbox Series S originally appealed to buyers who wanted a cheaper way to enter the current Xbox generation.
It uses a smaller design, lacks a disc drive, and targets lower resolutions than the Series X. Both consoles run the same games, but the Series S has weaker graphics hardware and less storage in its entry configuration.
At $499.99 for the 512GB version, the Series S now costs as much as the original launch price of the more powerful Series X.
The 1TB Series S at $599.99 moves even further away from its original budget position. That makes it harder to recommend without a meaningful sale, especially when storage capacity remains limited for modern games.
The Series X continues to offer stronger performance, native 4K targets in more titles, and a larger standard SSD. The disc model also supports physical games, Blu ray discs, and used software.
However, its $799.99 price places it much closer to premium PC and handheld gaming products than earlier console pricing.
Component Costs May Continue Rising
Microsoft says manufacturing and component expenses are the main reason for the changes.
RAM and NAND flash memory are used across consoles, PCs, smartphones, servers, and artificial intelligence systems. Strong demand from data centres and AI hardware makers has increased pressure on supply.
Console manufacturers usually negotiate large component contracts in advance, which can protect prices temporarily. Once those agreements expire or new production begins, higher supplier costs can affect retail prices.
Industry forecasts reportedly suggest that memory and advanced chip prices may remain elevated through 2027 and possibly into 2028.
That creates the possibility of further hardware increases, although Microsoft has not announced another Xbox price change.
A higher console price could also affect future hardware plans. Microsoft will need to balance performance, manufacturing cost, and affordability when preparing its next generation systems.
Storage Expansion Remains Expensive
The built in SSD capacity of Xbox consoles can fill quickly, particularly as individual games become larger.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 reportedly requires around 161GB before additional downloadable content. A few games of that size can consume most of the usable space on a 512GB Series S.
Xbox Series X and Series S consoles support proprietary storage expansion cards that run games at speeds similar to the internal SSD.
These cards are convenient but remain expensive.
| Expansion card | Reported price |
|---|---|
| Seagate 1TB | Around $199 |
| WD Black C50 1TB | Around $149.99 |
| Seagate 2TB | Around $299.99 during a sale |
| Seagate 4TB | Around $539.99 during a sale |
| WD Black C50 2TB | Around $499.99 to $549.99 |
USB drives can store compatible older games and archive current generation titles, but many Series X and Series S games must be moved back to internal or expansion card storage before they can be played.
This means the total cost of owning an Xbox can rise significantly if additional storage becomes necessary.
Discounts May Offer the Best Buying Opportunity
The August increase has reduced the value of buying an Xbox at full price.
Older inventory, retailer promotions, holiday sales, and bundle offers may provide more reasonable prices. The Series X previously fell to around $573 during a major sale, showing that meaningful discounts are still possible.
Whether similar deals return will depend on supply and Microsoft’s retail strategy. Rising component costs may make large discounts less common, especially if console inventory remains limited.
The best option may be to wait for a verified sale unless you need a console immediately. Buyers should also compare the price of a console and expansion storage against gaming PCs, handhelds, and other platforms.
Microsoft’s price increase marks a major change for the current Xbox generation. The Series X and Series S are now substantially more expensive than when they launched, and the entry level model no longer occupies the affordable position that originally defined it.
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