According to The Verge, Microsoft detailed the price increases for Xbox consoles across Europe and the UK. The 1TB Xbox Series X jumps from £499.99 and €599.99 to £669.99 and €799.99. The 512GB Series S rises from £299.99 and €349.99 to £429.99 and €499.99.
The Series S was designed as the entry point for casual players, families, and budget-conscious buyers. A 43% price jump on the cheaper model destroys that positioning. At £429.99, it no longer undercuts PlayStation or Nintendo's premium offerings. Microsoft is betting the ecosystem (Game Pass, cloud gaming, backwards compatibility) justifies the cost. That's a risky bet when the box itself is the gateway.
Microsoft is signaling it has given up on competing on price or momentum. These increases don't reflect supply constraints or inflation. They reflect a company rationing demand because it cannot win on exclusives or market share at current volumes. The Series S was supposed to be the Trojan horse. Now it costs more than it's worth to most buyers.
Filed to the Technology desk · Aug 2