US Tariffs Impact PlayStation Prices: Sony Raises PS5 Cost by $50

Sony is increasing the price of PlayStation 5 consoles in the US due to US tariffs, with the new price set at $550. The tariffs, imposed by President Donald Trump, have left companies with the decision of whether to pass on the costs to consumers or take a hit to their profit. Other companies, such as Estée Lauder and PepsiCo, are also considering raising prices to offset the additional costs.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced a price increase for its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States, effective from Thursday, August 21, 2025. The new prices will be $50 higher than the current recommended retail prices, with the most expensive PS5 Pro version now priced at $749.99. The base model will cost $499.99, while the Digital Edition will be priced at $549.99 [1][2][3].

The price hike comes as a result of the rising costs faced by Sony due to US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. These tariffs have significantly increased the cost of importing Japanese electronics, including gaming consoles, into the United States. Sony's vice president of global marketing, Isabelle Tomatis, stated that the company has made the difficult decision to increase prices to offset these additional costs [1][2][3].

Sony is not the only company affected by these tariffs. Other major gaming companies, such as Microsoft and Nintendo, have also raised the prices of their consoles and accessories in various countries this year [1][2]. Additionally, non-gaming companies like Estée Lauder and PepsiCo are considering price increases to offset the additional costs imposed by the tariffs [1][2][3].

The tariffs, which include a 25% blanket tariff on major household tech items, have created a cascade effect across the entire electronics industry, leading to sharp price increases for computers, televisions, and gaming hardware [3]. The impact of these tariffs is expected to continue to be felt by consumers in the coming months and years, as companies struggle to absorb the additional costs.

Sony's decision to raise prices is a reflection of the challenging economic environment faced by many global businesses. The company has stated that it will continue to navigate this environment while striving to provide high-quality gaming experiences to its customers [1][2][3].

References:
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy081prg9jjo
[2] https://asia.nikkei.com/business/media-entertainment/sony-hikes-playstation-5-prices-in-us-facing-tariff-uncertainties
[3] https://nypost.com/2025/08/20/business/sony-hikes-playstation-prices-by-50-as-trump-tariffs-hit-us-gamers/