Sony has announced an increase in the recommended retail prices (RRPs) for PlayStation 5 consoles in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, attributing the change to a challenging economic climate characterized by high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates. This decision was officially communicated through a post on the PlayStation Blog.
The new RRPs, effective from April 14, are as follows:
Europe:
- PS5 Digital Edition: €500 (The price for the standard PS5 with a disc drive remains unchanged.)
UK:
- PS5 Digital Edition: £430 (The price for the standard PS5 with a disc drive remains unchanged.)
Australia:
- Standard PS5 with disc drive: AUD $830
- PS5 Digital Edition: AUD $750
New Zealand:
- Standard PS5 with disc drive: NZD $950
- PS5 Digital Edition: NZD $860
It's worth noting that the price of the PS5 Pro remains unchanged.
These price adjustments follow similar increases implemented in 2022, resulting in the PS5 being significantly pricier in many regions than at its initial launch. Specifically, in Europe and the UK, the PS5 Digital Edition has seen a €100/£70 increase from its launch price of €400/£360. In Australia, the standard PS5 is now AUD $80 more expensive than its launch price of AUD $750, while the digital edition has risen by AUD $150 from AUD $600. In New Zealand, the standard PS5 has increased by NZD $130 from NZD $820, and the digital version by NZD $210 from NZD $650.
Interestingly, the RRP of the PS5 disc drive is being reduced to €80/£70/AUD $125/NZD $140, offering some relief amidst these price hikes.
