Console prices climb
Console prices are creeping up — PS5 and Xbox Series X are being reported at $650 in some markets, with observers blaming AI‑driven RAM shortages for the jump. (x.com) Steam Deck availability has tightened too, fueling talk that next‑gen handhelds could push past $1,000 if component pressure continues. (x.com)
Sony said the new recommended retail prices take effect April 2, 2026 and listed the U.S. PS5 at $649.99, the PS5 Digital Edition at $599.99 and the PS5 Pro at $899.99. (blog.playstation.com) Microsoft previously raised the Xbox Series X to $649.99, a change the company implemented starting October 3, 2025 and attributed to “macroeconomic conditions.” (gamedeveloper.com) Memory makers and industry analysts say AI hyperscaler demand has outstripped supply, with Micron’s Sumit Sadana saying demand “far outpaced” industry supply and HBM demand rising for next‑generation GPUs. (cnbc.com) TrendForce and other trackers expect average DRAM prices to jump roughly 50–55% quarter‑over‑quarter versus Q4 2025, a move analysts call unprecedented and one that feeds into higher hardware costs. (cnbc.com) Valve posted a notice on the Steam Deck store page warning the OLED models “may be out‑of‑stock intermittently” in some regions due to memory and storage shortages, and multiple outlets reported 512GB/1TB OLED variants sold out across markets. (engadget.com) Premium PC‑style handhelds have already breached the four‑figure threshold in some cases: the ROG Xbox Ally X priced at about $999 and models from Lenovo and MSI listing at $1,099 or above, showing manufacturers are passing component cost pressure into retail tags. (variety.com) Trade press and analysts link those price moves to the same component squeeze and tariff/production pressures affecting consoles and handhelds, with outlets noting recent $100‑level price creep on some new handhelds as evidence of broader inflationary trends in gaming hardware. (pcmag.com)
