In a move that’s sparked widespread backlash across social media and gaming forums, Microsoft has announced yet another price increase for its Xbox Series S console, effective October 3, 2025. This marks the second hike in less than six months, pushing the entry-level 512GB model from $379.99 to $399.99. Fans are expressing frustration over what they see as escalating costs during a time when gaming hardware should be becoming more accessible, not less.
The Details of the Latest Price Hike
Microsoft’s announcement, detailed on their official support page and echoed across tech news outlets, attributes the increases to “changes in the macroeconomic environment” and ongoing U.S. tariffs on imports from China. Here’s a breakdown of the affected models:
- Xbox Series S (512GB): Rising from $379.99 to $399.99 (a $20 increase).
- Xbox Series S (1TB): Jumping from $429.99 to $449.99 (a $20 increase).
- Xbox Series X (Standard): Increasing from $599.99 to $649.99 (a $50 increase).
- Xbox Series X (Digital Edition): From $549.99 to $599.99 (a $50 increase).
- Xbox Series X (2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition): From $729.99 to $799.99 (a $70 increase).
This follows an earlier adjustment in May 2025, where the Series S saw a significant jump from its original $299.99 launch price to $379.99, alongside increases for other models and even some first-party games to $79.99. Accessories like controllers and headsets have also been affected in prior hikes, though they remain unchanged this time around.
Fan Backlash: From Social Media to Forums
The reaction from the Xbox community has been swift and heated. On X (formerly Twitter), users have voiced their dismay, with many pointing out the irony of raising prices on a console marketed as an affordable entry point to next-gen gaming. One user lamented, “Microsoft really got the nerve to raise prices, especially making a Series S of all things $400 now?! The Xbox brand is not as strong anymore in 2025 to even do shit like this, what the hell are they thinking?”
Another post highlighted the rapid succession of increases: “Raising the price on the Series S twice in 1 year is dirty work.” Fans recall that just a year ago, the Series S could often be found on sale for as low as $250, making the current trajectory feel like a betrayal. “You could get a Series S for $250 a year ago. Microsoft done lost their minds if they think somebody dropping $400 on one. They defeated the whole point of the console,” shared another frustrated gamer.
Gaming sites and Reddit threads are ablaze with similar sentiments. A Reddit discussion called the prices “absurd,” comparing the Series X’s performance to a midrange 2020 PC while now costing up to $649.99. ComicBook.com captured the mood, quoting fans who feel “the price is just getting worse and worse,” with some worried about being priced out of the hobby altogether. Eurogamer noted the timing—just four months after the last hike—as particularly galling for U.S. consumers.
Even content creators are chiming in. YouTuber discussions, like one titled “Xbox Console PRICE GOES UP AGAIN!!! – $800 XBOX SERIES X?!”, speculate on the long-term impact, with some predicting sales dips ahead of the holiday season. On X, calls for boycotts and switches to competitors like PlayStation or PC are gaining traction, though not everyone is panicking—one user downplayed it as “not the end of the world.”
Broader Context: Tariffs, Competition, and Xbox’s Struggles
Microsoft’s rationale ties into broader economic pressures, including tariffs that have plagued tech pricing throughout 2025. This isn’t isolated—Sony raised PS5 prices earlier in the year, and Nintendo’s Switch 2 is rumored to follow suit. However, Xbox’s repeated adjustments come amid declining hardware sales, down 30% following the May increase, while subscriptions like Game Pass continue to grow.
Critics link this to Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision acquisition, which some say has strained finances, leading to layoffs and a reliance on price hikes to offset costs. With next-gen consoles on the horizon, fans are staggered by projections that Xbox’s successor could cost significantly more than the PS6 due to advanced hardware and potential third-party store support.
What’s Next for Xbox?
As the October 3 deadline approaches, gamers have until then to snag current prices. Microsoft has kept Game Pass pricing stable for now, but whispers of future adjustments loom. Whether this backlash translates to lower sales or pushes more users toward PC gaming remains to be seen. For many, the dream of affordable console gaming in 2025 feels increasingly out of reach.
If you’re an Xbox owner, how do you feel about these changes? Sound off in the comments below.