Xbox Series S Price Surges to Match Series X Launch Cost
When Xbox Series S launched alongside Series X and PS5, it presented a compelling argument: Play all of the same games as elsewhere, albeit with lesser performance and visuals, for way cheaper.
When Xbox Series S launched alongside Series X and PS5, it presented a compelling argument: Play all of the same games as elsewhere, albeit with lesser performance and visuals, for way cheaper.
At its launch, the Xbox Series S offered a budget-friendly alternative to the Series X and PS5, priced at $300. However, starting August 1, the Series S will cost as much as the Series X did at its 2020 launch: $500, marking a 67% price increase almost six years later. This unexpected price hike goes against the typical trend of console prices decreasing over time.
The surge in price is attributed to factors like AI-driven chip shortages affecting hardware costs. Microsoft's contribution to the AI market has inadvertently impacted the pricing of the Series S. This price increase reflects a broader shift in the gaming industry, where consoles are becoming less affordable and major changes are reshaping how games are developed, distributed, and consumed.
