iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Microsoft’s announced Xbox price increase took effect worldwide on August 1, 2026, so it is no longer possible to buy ahead of that deadline. If you’re shopping now, compare the exact console model and condition, then check a retailer’s current price and stock before ordering. The post-increase U.S. prices reported at the time were rounded figures, not live quotes.
What changed, and when?
In an announcement dated June 25, 2026, Xbox said the new prices would take effect worldwide on August 1, 2026. The increases were based on console capacity: US$100 for 512GB models and US$150 for 1TB models. Xbox also said it would sunset the 2TB model. The announcement did not provide a country-by-country price table, so those dollar increases should not be treated as a complete local price list. Xbox’s price-change announcement
Xbox attributed the increase to rising component costs, saying storage and memory prices had increased by more than 2.5 times and that it expected another doubling by fall 2027. That is Xbox’s stated rationale and forecast, not an independently verified market statistic.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhat were the reported U.S. prices?
TechCrunch reported these rounded U.S. prices on June 25, 2026, following the announcement. They document reported prices at that time; they are not current retailer offers or a substitute for checking today’s listings. TechCrunch’s report on the increase
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
| Console | Reported U.S. post-change price |
|---|---|
| Xbox Series S, 512GB | $499 |
| Xbox Series S, 1TB | $599 |
| Xbox Series X, 1TB Digital | $750 |
| Xbox Series X, 1TB Disc | $800 |
For context, Microsoft’s U.S. recommended retail price sheet dated May 1, 2025 listed the following historical prices. These are not current prices and should not be compared with a retailer’s live listing as if they were today’s offers. Microsoft’s U.S. price sheet
| Console | U.S. recommended retail price, May 1, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Xbox Series S, 512GB | $379.99 |
| Xbox Series S, 1TB | $429.99 |
| Xbox Series X Digital, 1TB | $549.99 |
| Xbox Series X, 1TB | $599.99 |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition | $729.99 |
Which console fits your setup?
Choose by the features you need rather than the Series X or Series S name alone. Xbox describes Series X as its native-4K console, sold with either a UHD Blu-ray disc player or without a disc drive. Series S is disc-free, designed for 1440p output, and can upscale to 4K. Xbox console comparison
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
| Consideration | Series X | Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Disc access | Available with a UHD Blu-ray disc player, or as a disc-free model | Disc-free |
| Display target | Native 4K | Designed for 1440p; can upscale to 4K |
| Storage options in the cited models | 1TB models; a 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition was listed in Microsoft’s May 2025 U.S. price sheet, but Xbox said the 2TB model would be sunset | 512GB or 1TB |
| Price today | Check current retailer listings | Check current retailer listings |
Choose Series X if you need discs or native 4K
The disc-drive Series X is the option to consider if you want to play physical games or use UHD Blu-ray discs. If you do not need a drive, compare its Digital model with the disc version on current price and availability.
Choose Series S if disc-free gaming and 1440p suit you
Series S makes sense if you are comfortable buying and playing games digitally and its 1440p design meets your display needs. Compare the 512GB and 1TB versions based on how much storage you want; Xbox’s announced increase differed by capacity.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
How to shop for one now
- Decide on the must-haves. Choose whether you need a disc drive, whether native 4K matters, and whether 512GB or 1TB is the better storage fit.
- Match the exact model. Confirm the listing says Series X or Series S, the storage capacity, and—on Series X—whether it includes a disc drive. Do not use a broad console name to assume which SKU is being sold.
- Compare new and refurbished listings. Xbox says Certified Refurbished consoles are available through Microsoft Stores for up to US$100 off MSRP. Check the current listing for the specific model and condition; the cited announcement does not establish current stock or terms.
- Check the seller’s terms before paying. Confirm current price, stock, return window, warranty, and whether the seller is Microsoft or another retailer. These details can vary by seller and are not established by the historical price information above.
- Verify any financing offer directly. Xbox mentioned buy-now-pay-later and interest-free financing options for eligible hardware purchases, with options varying by region, eligibility, and terms. Review the actual offer and repayment terms shown at checkout rather than assuming a particular provider or offer is available.
Are refurbished or previously played consoles an option?
Xbox’s announcement identifies Certified Refurbished consoles through Microsoft Stores as an option, with savings of up to US$100 off MSRP. The same announcement said Xbox was working with retail partners on lower-cost previously played consoles and trade-ins, but it did not name partners or confirm availability. Treat those programs as possibilities to verify, not guaranteed offers. Xbox’s announcement on refurbished consoles and retail programs
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
