Microsoft's latest Xbox console price increase is now in effect. Starting August 1, 2026, every current 512 GB model costs $100 more in the United States, while current 1 TB models cost $150 more. Xbox is also ending the 2 TB Series X model.
That puts the least expensive current Xbox console at $499.99 and the standard disc-based Series X at $799.99. The increase does not add storage, accessories, Game Pass, or any new hardware feature. It is a straight change to the console price.
New Xbox Series X and Series S prices
These are the new U.S. prices based on Microsoft's announced increase and the previous official prices:
- Xbox Series S 512 GB: $499.99, up from $399.99
- Xbox Series S 1 TB: $599.99, up from $449.99
- Xbox Series X 1 TB All-Digital: $749.99, up from $599.99
- Xbox Series X 1 TB with disc drive: $799.99, up from $649.99
Microsoft says the change applies worldwide, but exact prices and availability can differ by country and retailer. Players should check their regional Microsoft Store before treating the U.S. figures as a direct conversion.
The company is also sunsetting the 2 TB Series X. Existing stock may remain at stores for a while, but Microsoft is no longer presenting that version as part of the continuing lineup.
Why Xbox raised console prices again
Xbox says storage and memory costs have increased by more than 2.5 times and could double again by fall 2027. Those parts are central to a modern console, especially a machine built around fast SSD storage and shared high-speed memory.
Microsoft also says consoles are usually sold at or below their manufacturing cost. Unlike a phone or laptop, the hardware is often treated as the doorway into a larger business built around games, subscriptions, accessories, and store purchases. When component prices rise sharply, there is less room to absorb the difference.
This is not the first recent Xbox increase. Microsoft raised U.S. console prices by $20 to $70 in October 2025. The August 2026 change is much larger, especially on the 1 TB models.
What this means for GTA 6 and other major releases
The timing is rough for anyone planning to buy an Xbox for the next wave of games. Microsoft's own announcement names Grand Theft Auto VI, Gears of War: E-Day, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Madden NFL 27 among the major releases it expects players to want.
The hardware increase arrives after GTA 6 preorders went live, so a new console-and-game purchase now costs noticeably more than it did a month ago. A Series S remains the lowest-cost current Xbox, but it is fully digital and has less storage than a Series X. The 512 GB model may also fill quickly once large games and updates are installed.
Players who already own a Series X or Series S do not need to do anything. The price change affects new console purchases, not the performance or features of consoles already in homes.
Does this change Game Pass or game prices?
No related Game Pass or software increase was announced with this hardware update. Microsoft described the change specifically as an Xbox console price adjustment.
Game Pass plans, digital game prices, controllers, and storage cards all have their own pricing. They could change separately, but the August 1 announcement should not be read as confirmation that they have changed now.
The same applies to the Xbox experience itself. Existing accounts, cloud saves, backward-compatible games, and online features are not being removed by this announcement.
Your lower-cost options
Microsoft is promoting several ways to reduce the upfront hit. Availability depends on the region, store, and buyer eligibility, but the list includes:
- Buy Now, Pay Later options on eligible hardware
- Interest-free financing through participating partners
- Trade-in programs for used consoles
- Previously played consoles sold through retail partners
- Certified refurbished Xbox consoles for up to $100 off MSRP
A refurbished Series X may make more sense for players with physical games, because the Series S cannot use discs. Someone with an all-digital library may be comfortable with a Series S or the white all-digital Series X, but storage still deserves attention before buying.
Should you wait before buying an Xbox?
There is no single answer now that the new prices are active. Retailers may still have older stock, bundles, open-box units, or temporary discounts, and those offers can vary quickly. Compare the final price rather than the size of the advertised discount.
If you mainly want one or two games, check whether they are also available on a platform you already own. If you want a long-term Xbox library, decide first whether you need a disc drive, how much storage you expect to use, and whether a refurbished console has a warranty you trust.
The Series S is still the cheapest way into the current Xbox console ecosystem, but $499.99 changes the value conversation. Players now have a stronger reason to compare every model carefully instead of choosing the smallest number on the shelf.
