Microsoft Raises Xbox Prices Globally One Day After GTA 6 Pre-Orders Opened

Xbox Price Increase 2026: Full Breakdown by Model

The latest Xbox price increase landed on June 25, 2026 — one day after GTA 6 pre-orders opened. The new prices hit every current next-gen Xbox model and kick in August 1. The 2TB Series X is also being discontinued with no replacement announced.

The increases run between $100 and $150 per console. Microsoft pointed to a global memory and storage component shortage — costs have gone up more than 2.5x already and another doubling is expected by fall 2027.

Source: Xbox — Official / Xbox Wire

New Console Prices From August 1 2026

Here is the full breakdown of old and new prices across every current Xbox model:

The Xbox Series S launched in 2020 at $299 as an affordable entry into next-gen gaming. It now starts at $499 for the base 512GB model — a $200 increase from launch price across multiple hike cycles.

Why Microsoft Announced This Xbox Price Increase Now

Component Costs Are Behind the Xbox Price Increase

Microsoft addressed the increase directly in the Xbox Wire post. The statement said: “We hoped another price increase would not be necessary. Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x, and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027. The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles.”

Consoles Are Sold at a Loss

Microsoft also confirmed that Xbox consoles are typically sold at cost or at a loss, with the company relying on software and Game Pass revenue to make up the difference. Component prices rising at this rate made continuing that model unsustainable. The price hike is a direct consequence of margin pressure rather than a move to increase profit on hardware.

The GTA 6 Timing Makes This Much Worse for Players

Xbox Is Now $100 More Expensive to Play GTA 6

GTA 6 skips last-gen hardware entirely. Players who want to play on Xbox need an Xbox Series X or Series S. The day before Microsoft raised prices, Rockstar opened GTA 6 pre-orders with a Standard Edition at $79.99 and an Ultimate Edition at $99.99.

The combination hits hard. A player looking to buy into Xbox specifically for GTA 6 now faces a minimum hardware cost of $499 for the Series S plus $79.99 for the game. That is over $580 before tax — $100 more than it would have cost 24 hours earlier.

Buy Now Pay Later Option

Microsoft announced a Buy Now Pay Later option alongside the price increases, allowing players to pay for consoles in installments rather than upfront. The plan gives players who cannot cover the full cost a way to get into the new hardware before GTA 6 launches on November 19. Whether the installment option offsets the frustration of the timing is another question entirely.

More News: How to Pre-Order GTA 6 From New Zealand and Play Before Your Region