The latest Xbox Series X price increase is now in effect worldwide, making Microsoft’s current-generation consoles considerably more expensive for UK gamers.
From 1 August 2026, the recommended UK price of the standard 1TB Xbox Series X with a disc drive increased from £499.99 to £669.99. The entry-level Xbox Series S 512GB rose from £299.99 to £429.99.
Microsoft announced the worldwide change in June, blaming rapidly rising storage and memory component costs. The company has also confirmed that it is discontinuing, or “sunsetting”, its 2TB Xbox Series X model.
How Much Does the Xbox Series X Cost Now?
The standard Xbox Series X 1TB with a disc drive now has a recommended UK price of £669.99, up from £499.99.
That represents:
- A £170 price increase
- An increase of approximately 34%
- A price £220 higher than the console’s original £449 UK launch price in 2020
The digital-only 1TB Series X has also risen from £449.99 to £619.99, while both versions of the lower-powered Series S have received substantial increases.
These are recommended prices. Individual retailers may offer temporary discounts, older stock, trade-in promotions or console bundles at different prices.
Xbox Series X and Series S UK Price Changes
The following table shows how the recommended UK prices have changed across the current Xbox console range.
| Xbox console | Previous UK price | New UK price | Cash increase | Percentage increase |
| Xbox Series S 512GB | £299.99 | £429.99 | £130 | 43.3% |
| Xbox Series S 1TB | £349.99 | £519.99 | £170 | 48.6% |
| Xbox Series X Digital 1TB | £449.99 | £619.99 | £170 | 37.8% |
| Xbox Series X Disc 1TB | £499.99 | £669.99 | £170 | 34% |
| Xbox Series X 2TB | £589.99 previously | Being discontinued | Not applicable | Not applicable |
The percentage increase is largest for the 1TB Series S, which is now almost 49% more expensive than before.
The 512GB Series S remains the cheapest new Xbox console, but its new £429.99 price is much closer to premium-console territory than its earlier £299.99 price.
When Did the Xbox Price Increase Take Effect?
Microsoft announced the worldwide pricing change on 25 June 2026, with the new recommended prices taking effect on 1 August 2026.
In its official Xbox console price update, Microsoft said the decision followed significant increases in the cost of memory and storage components used in gaming hardware.
The change applies across multiple markets, including the UK, United States and European Union, although the exact prices and increases vary by currency and console model.
In the United States, Microsoft said that:
- 512GB console models would increase by $100
- 1TB console models would increase by $150
- The 2TB model would be discontinued
The company did not simply convert those dollar amounts directly into pounds. UK prices were adjusted separately, resulting in increases of £130 or £170 depending on the console.
Why Has Microsoft Increased Xbox Series X Prices?
Microsoft says the Xbox Series X and Series S increases are primarily the result of significantly higher memory and storage costs.
According to the company, console storage and memory prices have risen by more than 2.5 times. Microsoft also expects those costs to double again by autumn 2027.
Both Xbox Series X and Series S use specialist solid-state storage and GDDR6 memory.
These components affect loading speeds, game performance, operating-system functions and the consoles’ ability to handle modern titles.
Microsoft said it had spent several months discussing alternatives with suppliers before deciding another retail price increase was necessary.
The company also argued that consoles are particularly exposed to higher component costs because gaming hardware is frequently sold at very low margins or below its manufacturing cost.
Is Artificial Intelligence Responsible for Higher Xbox Prices?
Microsoft did not directly blame artificial intelligence companies in its official announcement. It referred more broadly to a consumer-electronics component crisis and rapidly rising memory and storage costs.
However, wider industry reporting has connected pressure in the memory market to demand from companies building AI infrastructure and data centres.
High-performance computing systems require substantial quantities of memory and storage, potentially increasing competition for manufacturing capacity.
It would therefore be more accurate to say that growing AI-sector demand may be one factor affecting the wider component market—not that Microsoft has officially stated AI is solely responsible for the Xbox price rise.
What Does the Increase Mean for UK Xbox Buyers?
The higher prices make the decision between Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5 and a gaming PC more complicated.
The Series X remains the more powerful Xbox console. It offers 4K gaming, 16GB of GDDR6 memory, a 1TB solid-state drive and support for frame rates of up to 120 frames per second in compatible games.
The standard black model also includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray disc drive.
The Series S is smaller, digital-only and less powerful. It remains suitable for players who primarily download games, use Xbox Game Pass and do not require native 4K performance.
However, the new £429.99 starting price reduces the financial advantage that previously made the Series S an obvious entry-level option.
Before buying, UK customers should consider:
- Whether they need a disc drive for physical and pre-owned games
- Whether 512GB of internal storage will be sufficient
- The cost of additional storage expansion
- Available refurbished or pre-owned consoles
- The full price of bundles, subscriptions and accessories
A £429.99 Series S may initially appear cheaper than a £669.99 Series X, but additional storage can increase the total cost. Conversely, a Series X with a disc drive may allow a player to buy, borrow, exchange or resell physical games.
Is the Xbox Series X Still Worth Buying at £669.99?
The answer depends on what the buyer already owns and how the console will be used.
For someone upgrading from an original Xbox One or Xbox One S, the Series X can provide significantly faster loading, higher resolutions, improved frame rates and access to current-generation games.
It also supports thousands of compatible titles from earlier Xbox generations.
However, the value proposition is less clear for someone who already owns a Series S or another current-generation console.
Paying £669.99 for hardware originally released in 2020 may be difficult to justify unless the buyer specifically wants:
- The strongest current Xbox console performance
- A built-in disc drive
- Access to an existing Xbox game library
- Backwards compatibility with older Xbox games
- Xbox-specific services and features
Buyers should compare current retailer prices rather than assuming every shop will immediately charge the full recommended amount.
Remaining inventory purchased before the increase may occasionally be offered at an older price, although availability cannot be guaranteed.
Is the Xbox Series S Still the Cheapest Xbox?
Yes. The 512GB Xbox Series S remains the lowest-priced new console in Microsoft’s current range, at a recommended £429.99.
Nevertheless, its relative affordability has weakened. Before the change, the £200 difference between the £299.99 Series S and £499.99 Series X gave budget-conscious buyers a clear choice.
The new difference between £429.99 and £669.99 is £240, but both consoles now require a much larger initial payment.
The 1TB Series S costs £519.99. That places it only £100 below the £619.99 digital Series X, which offers substantially greater graphical performance.
Buyers comparing those two models may therefore find the digital Series X more attractive, provided they can afford the additional cost.
What Is Happening to the 2TB Xbox Series X?
Microsoft is sunsetting the 2TB Xbox Series X rather than applying the same long-term pricing structure to it.
“Sunsetting” normally means Microsoft will stop producing or routinely offering the model. It does not necessarily mean every remaining unit will disappear immediately.
Retailers may continue selling existing inventory until it runs out.
Microsoft has not said that existing 2TB consoles will stop working or lose support.
The change concerns the continued sale and production of the hardware, not the functionality of consoles already owned by customers.
Are Other Games Consoles Becoming More Expensive?
Xbox is not the only major gaming platform to have increased hardware prices.
Sony announced new PlayStation 5 pricing in March 2026, effective from 2 April 2026.
In the UK, the standard PS5 rose to £569.99, while the PS5 Digital Edition increased to £519.99 and the PS5 Pro to £789.99. Sony referred to continued pressure in the global economic environment when announcing the change.
The changes show that higher hardware costs are affecting several parts of the games industry. Buyers now face higher prices not only for consoles, but potentially for storage, graphics hardware and other gaming equipment.
What Options Has Microsoft Announced to Make Xbox More Affordable?
Alongside the price increase, Microsoft announced several programmes intended to reduce the immediate cost for customers.
These include:
- Buy now, pay later options on eligible Microsoft Store purchases
- Interest-free financing of up to 12 months through participating partners
- Trade-in programmes involving retail partners
- Lower-priced previously played consoles
- Certified refurbished Xbox consoles
Availability varies by country, retailer and customer eligibility. Credit products may require status checks and are provided by third parties. Buyers should check the total amount payable and the terms before entering any finance agreement.
A monthly payment can make a console feel more affordable, but it does not necessarily reduce the total purchase price. A discounted refurbished console or a reputable pre-owned unit may offer a more direct saving.
Final Takeaway
The Xbox Series X price increase is now in effect worldwide, with the standard UK disc model rising from £499.99 to £669.99. The Xbox Series S has also become significantly more expensive, starting at £429.99 instead of £299.99.
Microsoft attributes the change to sharply rising memory and storage costs and has warned that component pressure may continue. It is also discontinuing the 2TB Series X while introducing or expanding financing, refurbished-console and trade-in options.
For UK gamers, the best choice will depend on performance requirements, storage needs, physical-game preferences and available retailer discounts.
The increased prices make it more important to compare the full cost of each console including storage, subscriptions and accessories rather than choosing solely on the headline purchase price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Xbox Series X in the UK now?
The recommended UK price for the 1TB Xbox Series X with a disc drive is now £669.99. The 1TB digital-only Series X is priced at £619.99.
How much did the Xbox Series X price increase by?
Both UK Series X models increased by £170. The disc model rose from £499.99 to £669.99, while the digital model increased from £449.99 to £619.99.
When did the Xbox Series X price rise start?
The worldwide increase took effect on 1 August 2026. Microsoft originally announced it on 25 June 2026.
What is the new Xbox Series S price?
The 512GB Series S now has a recommended UK price of £429.99. The 1TB version is priced at £519.99.
Why is Xbox Series X more expensive?
Microsoft says memory and storage component costs have risen by more than 2.5 times. It also expects further increases in those costs by autumn 2027.
Is Microsoft discontinuing the Xbox Series X?
Microsoft is not discontinuing the entire Series X range. It is sunsetting the 2TB Series X model, while the 1TB disc and digital versions remain part of the range.
Will retailers still sell Xbox consoles below the new price?
Retailers can set their own selling prices and may offer discounts, bundles, clearance stock or pre-owned consoles. The £669.99 figure is the recommended UK price rather than a guarantee that every retailer will charge exactly that amount.
Is a refurbished Xbox covered by a warranty?
Warranty terms depend on the seller and the specific product. Microsoft sells certified refurbished consoles, but buyers should read the warranty, returns policy and condition description before purchasing.
