Xbox Series X Becomes €200 More Expensive Across Europe

Microsoft has implemented another major price increase for Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, with European buyers now facing increases of up to €200.

The standard 1TB Xbox Series X with a disc drive has reportedly climbed from €599.99 to €799.99. The all-digital Series X has received the same €200 increase, while both Series S models have also become considerably more expensive.

The revised pricing took effect on August 1, 2026, following Microsoft’s announcement in June that global console prices would rise because of sharply increasing hardware costs.

New Xbox Prices Across Europe

The Xbox Series S remains the cheapest current-generation console in Microsoft’s lineup, but its price advantage has narrowed significantly. The 512GB model now reportedly costs €499.99, an increase of €150 from its previous European price.

The 1TB Series S has moved from €399.99 to €599.99. That puts the compact digital console at the former price of the disc-based Series X, despite offering less storage performance and graphical power.

The reported European price changes are:

• Xbox Series S 512GB: €499.99, previously €349.99
• Xbox Series S 1TB: €599.99, previously €399.99
• Xbox Series X 1TB Digital: €749.99, previously €549.99
• Xbox Series X 1TB Disc: €799.99, previously €599.99

The increase is particularly striking because the Xbox Series X launched in Europe at €499.99 in 2020. The standard model now costs approximately €300 more than it did at launch, despite entering the sixth year of its hardware cycle.

Microsoft Blames Memory and Storage Costs

Microsoft announced the latest adjustment in June but initially focused on the new prices for the United States. The company said Xbox consoles with 512GB of storage would rise by $100, while 1TB models would increase by $150.

Xbox attributed the decision to a wider component shortage affecting consumer electronics. According to Microsoft, storage and memory costs have increased by more than 2.5 times, with another significant rise potentially expected by late 2027.

The unusual result is that established Xbox hardware is becoming substantially more expensive as it gets older rather than gradually falling in price.

Consoles are traditionally sold with relatively small profit margins, as platform holders expect to generate revenue through games, subscriptions and accessories. Higher component costs therefore create pressure that is harder to absorb than it may be for other electronics categories.

Console	Previous European price	New reported price
Series S 512GB	€349.99	€499.99
Series S 1TB	€399.99	€599.99
Series X Digital	€549.99	€749.99
Series X Disc	€599.99	€799.99

Microsoft is also discontinuing the 2TB Xbox Series X model as part of the broader hardware changes.

UK Buyers Face Similar Increases

The increases are not limited to the European Union. Xbox hardware prices have also risen substantially in the United Kingdom.

The standard Series X with a disc drive reportedly now costs £669.99, up from £499.99. The digital Series X has increased from £449.99 to £619.99.

The UK Series S prices have changed as follows:

• Series S 512GB rises from £299.99 to £429.99
• Series S 1TB rises from £349.99 to £519.99
• Series X Digital rises from £449.99 to £619.99
• Series X Disc rises from £499.99 to £669.99

These changes could make it more difficult for Xbox to attract new console buyers, particularly when used hardware, gaming PCs and rival platforms offer alternative routes into many of the same games.

Microsoft has increasingly released its first-party titles outside the Xbox ecosystem. That strategy gives the company access to more players, but it may also reduce the incentive to purchase an expensive Xbox console specifically for exclusive software.

Financing and Refurbished Consoles Become More Important

Alongside the price announcement, Microsoft highlighted several measures designed to make Xbox hardware more accessible. These include instalment plans, interest-free financing in selected markets and greater support for refurbished or previously owned consoles.

Certified refurbished models may become more attractive as the cost of new hardware increases. Trade-in programmes could also help reduce the effective upgrade price for existing owners.

However, financing changes how customers pay rather than reducing the overall cost. Buyers still face a significantly higher price for technology that has been available since 2020.

The Series S was originally positioned as an affordable entry point into the current console generation. At nearly €500 for the base model, that role is now much harder to maintain.

Assessment

The latest Xbox price increase represents a major shift in the economics of console gaming. Hardware prices have occasionally risen during a generation, but an increase of up to €200 this late in the cycle is highly unusual.

Microsoft’s explanation around memory and storage costs provides a clear business reason for the adjustment. Even so, European consumers will judge the consoles according to the value they offer against competing platforms and older discounted hardware.

The €799.99 Series X remains a powerful console, but its new price places it closer to premium electronics than a mass-market gaming device. The Series S faces an even greater identity problem, as its original appeal depended heavily on affordability.

The long-term impact will depend on retailer discounts, refurbished availability and whether Microsoft introduces new hardware. For now, joining the Xbox ecosystem through a new console has become substantially more expensive across Europe.