Sony has announced that it will raise the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States by $50, a move the company says has become unavoidable in the face of a difficult economic climate and new trade tariffs.
The standard PlayStation 5 will now sell for $550, while the Digital Edition will retail for $500. A new Pro version is expected to go for $750. According to Isabelle Tomatis, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s vice president of global marketing, the decision reflects the added costs created by tariffs on Japanese imports into the US.
“Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment,” Tomatis explained in a post on Wednesday. She noted that although Japan had successfully bargained down a threatened 25 percent tariff to 15 percent, the impact remains significant. Sony has estimated the policy could shave as much as $680 million from its earnings this fiscal year, making the increase in console prices a matter of necessity rather than choice.
Sony is not alone in feeling the squeeze. Across industries, US-bound companies are adjusting to higher costs. Cosmetics giant Estee Lauder has warned of a $100 million tariff hit in its next financial year and is preparing to raise product prices. PepsiCo is reportedly considering a 10 percent increase in its soft drink prices due to higher aluminium costs from tariffs on imported cans. Energy drink maker Monster Beverages has also signalled possible price changes, citing what its executives describe as a “complex and dynamic customs landscape.”
Meanwhile, the US Commerce Department has broadened tariffs on steel and aluminium, extending them to cover hundreds of everyday products ranging from child car seats and tableware to heavy equipment. The sweeping measures form part of President Donald Trump’s revived protectionist strategy since returning to office, one that now touches almost all of America’s major trading partners.
Although economists say the effect of these tariffs on consumer prices has so far been muted, they warn the true costs will surface gradually. Some companies have responded by stockpiling goods ahead of tariffs, while others, like Sony, have chosen to pass the burden on to customers.
For American gamers, this means that owning the PlayStation 5 will now cost significantly more — a reminder that global trade battles and shifting economic policies can have very local consequences, even in the world of entertainment.
