Microsoft is significantly raising Xbox console prices in the UK and Europe, according to reporting from Video Games Chronicle, Tom's Hardware, and TechPowerUp. The increases, set to take effect August 1, come about a week after U.S. pricing hikes of up to $150 were revealed for the same consoles.

In Europe, prices are rising by as much as €200, while UK prices are increasing by up to £170, depending on the SKU. The Xbox Series S (512GB) goes from €349 to €499 in Europe and from £299 to £429 in the UK. The Xbox Series S (1TB) rises from €399 to €599 in Europe and from £349 to £519 in the UK. The Xbox Series X (1TB, Digital) increases from €549 to €749 in Europe and from £449 to £619 in the UK. The Xbox Series X (1TB, Disc) climbs from €599 to €799 in Europe and from £499 to £669 in the UK.

In the U.S., the Xbox Series S (512GB) rises from $399 to $499, the Xbox Series S (1TB) from $449 to $599, the Xbox Series X (1TB, Digital) from $599 to $749, and the Xbox Series X (1TB, Disc) from $649 to $799. TechPowerUp notes that the base Xbox Series S price hike amounts to a 43% increase, while the Xbox Series X increases range from 33% to 36% depending on the edition.

Tom's Hardware points out that European buyers appear to be hit hardest, with the €200 increase converting to roughly $230, though it notes that UK and European prices include sales taxes, unlike U.S. pricing. Tom's Hardware also notes that Microsoft has discontinued the 2TB console model as part of this round of changes, and that current prices put the Xbox Series X as much as $300 higher than its 2020 launch price.

Both outlets attribute the price increases to sharply rising costs for components such as RAM and SSDs, driven by demand from AI data centers — a phenomenon Tom's Hardware refers to as the 'RAMpocalypse.' TechPowerUp adds that Microsoft's supply of GDDR6 memory for the consoles has been affected by higher prices, and notes that rivals like Sony have been stockpiling memory to maintain supply, especially with demand expected to rise around the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.

Tom's Hardware also notes that Sony raised all PlayStation 5 prices by $100 in April and may need to raise prices again, while PC component prices and devices like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine are also seeing significant increases amid the same component shortages.