Xbox Series X Reaches 799.99€ as Microsoft Raises European Prices
Microsoft has implemented another major Xbox Series X and Series S price increase across Europe and the United Kingdom, pushing several models hundreds above their original launch prices. The adjustment took effect on August 1, 2026, following an earlier global announcement that blamed rapidly rising memory and storage costs. The European price of the Xbox Series S with 512 GB of storage has increased from 349.99€ to 499.99€, representing a 150€ increase. The 1 TB Series S has moved from 399.99€ to 599.99€, placing Microsoft’s entry level console at a price previously associated with premium hardware.
Xbox Series X pricing has increased even further. The 1 TB digital model now costs 749.99€, while the standard 1 TB model with a disc drive has reached 799.99€. Both systems received a 200€ increase, according to ResetEra users.
| Xbox Console | Previous European Price | New European Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 512 GB | €349.99 | €499.99 | €150 |
| Xbox Series S 1 TB | €399.99 | €599.99 | €200 |
| Xbox Series X Digital 1 TB | €549.99 | €749.99 | €200 |
| Xbox Series X 1 TB with Disc Drive | €599.99 | €799.99 | €200 |
Players in the United Kingdom are facing similarly significant adjustments. The 512 GB Series S has increased from 299.99£ to 429.99£, while the 1 TB version now costs 519.99£. The digital Series X has moved to 619.99£, and the model with a disc drive now costs 669.99£.
| Xbox Console | Previous United Kingdom Price | New United Kingdom Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 512 GB | £299.99 | £429.99 | £130 |
| Xbox Series S 1 TB | £349.99 | £519.99 | £170 |
| Xbox Series X Digital 1 TB | £449.99 | £619.99 | £170 |
| Xbox Series X 1 TB with Disc Drive | £499.99 | £669.99 | £170 |
The proportional increase is particularly severe for the 512 GB Series S, which now costs approximately 42.9% more in Europe and 43.3% more in the United Kingdom. The 1 TB Series S received the largest European percentage increase at approximately 50%.
Microsoft announced the worldwide adjustment on June 25, stating that 512 GB consoles would increase by an amount equivalent to 100$ and 1 TB models by approximately 150$. The company also confirmed that it would discontinue the 2 TB Xbox Series X Galaxy Black edition as pressure on storage supply continues.
"Console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027."
— Quote by: Team Xbox.
Microsoft said it spent several months working with suppliers before approving the increase. Unlike many consumer electronics products, consoles are commonly sold with minimal margins or at a loss because platform holders expect to recover revenue through games, subscriptions, accessories, and digital services.
Recent reporting suggests Microsoft could still be losing approximately 150$ on every Xbox console after the latest adjustments. That situation helps explain why the company is transferring more of the component increase to consumers instead of continuing to absorb the full manufacturing cost.
Microsoft is attempting to reduce the immediate financial barrier through interest free financing, short term payment plans, trade in programs, and the future sale of previously owned consoles through participating retailers. However, these programs spread the cost rather than reducing the final retail price.
The increases also create a larger strategic problem for the next Xbox generation. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has already warned that Project Helix needs a more accessible business model, as rising memory and storage prices could push premium console hardware beyond the reach of mainstream players.
Microsoft’s explanation reflects a genuine component crisis, but the new prices significantly weaken the value proposition of hardware released in 2020. The Xbox Series S was originally positioned as an affordable entry into the current generation. At 499.99€ for 512 GB or 599.99€ for 1 TB, that identity is increasingly difficult to maintain.
The 799.99€ Xbox Series X faces an equally difficult market position. It remains a capable console, but its processor, graphics architecture, and memory configuration have not changed enough to justify a price hundreds above launch from a consumer perspective.
Microsoft may have limited room to absorb additional losses, especially while attempting to make Xbox financially sustainable. However, higher prices could further reduce hardware sales and create an even smaller audience for the ecosystem the company is trying to rebuild.
The most important question is no longer whether the increase is financially understandable. It is whether players still see enough value in buying an Xbox console at these prices instead of choosing PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, cloud gaming, or remaining on their existing hardware.
Would you still purchase an Xbox Series X at 799.99€, or has Microsoft priced the console beyond its realistic market value?
