Microsoft has confirmed another price increase for its Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles in the United States, a decision that is likely to draw a strong reaction from a significant part of the gaming community. Starting August 1, 2026, American players will have to pay more to access the Xbox ecosystem, as the console market is already facing significant economic pressure. The announcement mainly concerns the current Xbox Series models, with a particularly notable increase for versions featuring more storage.

Specifically, the price of the Xbox Series S will increase by $100, while the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X models equipped with 1 TB of storage will see their prices rise by $150. Microsoft has also confirmed the discontinuation of the 2 TB Xbox Series X model, which will therefore no longer be available for purchase. To justify this new increase, the company points to the rapidly rising costs associated with storage and memory, stating that these prices have increased by more than 2.5 times in recent months.

This decision is part of a trend already observed in recent years. It is, in fact, the third price increase for Xbox hardware, following those implemented in May 2025 and then September 2025. Microsoft is also anticipating further cost pressures, with the prices of memory and storage potentially increasing again by autumn 2027. For players, this situation could make it more difficult to access next-generation consoles, particularly for those who were still considering switching to the Xbox Series X or S.

To accompany this price increase, Microsoft is highlighting several solutions intended to make purchasing its consoles more accessible. In particular, the company offers deferred payment options through the Buy Now, Pay Later program on the Microsoft Store, as well as interest-free financing for up to 12 months on certain purchases made through Amazon. Microsoft is also working with partner retailers on used-console programs, allowing players to sell their old hardware in exchange for cash or store credit. Finally, certified refurbished Xbox consoles remain available on the Microsoft Store, with discounts of up to $100.