Sony Hits Gamers’ Wallets Hard: PS5 Prices Jump Sharply Starting April 2, 2026 – Gaming Is Becoming a Luxury
Sony has officially announced another significant price increase for the entire PlayStation 5 lineup. Effective April 2, 2026, all PS5 consoles and accessories are getting more expensive across Europe and globally.
This marks the third notable price hike for the current generation. New recommended retail prices in Europe are now:
- PS5 with disc drive — €649.99 (was €549.99)
- PS5 Digital Edition — €599.99 (was €499.99)
- PS5 Pro — €899.99 (was €799.99)
- PlayStation Portal — €249.99 (was €199.99)
Important note for readers in Serbia: These prices are the official European recommended retail prices (RRP). In Serbia, the final selling price will be noticeably higher due to 20% VAT (PDV), import duties, retailer margins, and the EUR to RSD exchange rate. Expect local prices to be 15–30% above the European RRP, depending on the store (Gigatron, WinWin, Tehnomanija, etc.).
Why Is Sony Raising PS5 Prices?
In its official announcement on the PlayStation Blog, Sony cited “continued pressures in the global economic landscape.” The main drivers include:
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- Severe global memory (DRAM) shortages caused by massive demand from the AI industry
- Rising costs of components, manufacturing, logistics, and tariffs
- Overall inflation in the technology supply chain
Sony states that the increase is necessary to maintain product quality and continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences. However, many players are expressing frustration as gaming hardware becomes increasingly unaffordable.
Bad Timing Ahead of GTA 6
The timing is particularly unfortunate, coming just months before the highly anticipated release of GTA 6 — one of the biggest games of all time. Many fans will now face higher costs not only for the console but also for games and additional content.
This trend raises an important question: Will the next-generation consoles (including the rumored PS6) break the €1,000 barrier? Gaming, once a relatively accessible hobby, is steadily moving into luxury territory.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a PS5 or PS5 Pro, now might be one of the last chances to get it at the current (lower) price before stocks sell out at retailers.
