Price Hike Sparks Backlash as Xbox’s Latest Model Offers No Performance Boost and PS5 Pro Emerges as the Better Deal.
Sony recently took heat for announcing the PS5 Pro at $700, with critics quick to slam the price—even though it came with notable upgrades over the original model.
But now, in an unexpected move, Microsoft has rolled out a new 2TB Galaxy Black Xbox Series X priced at an eye-watering $730, officially making it the most expensive next-gen console on the market.
This price spike follows a broader trend across the Xbox lineup. Microsoft has raised prices globally on consoles and controllers, and headsets are also seeing increases in the U.S. and Canada. On top of that, some first-party Xbox games will now cost $80 starting this holiday season.
Still, it’s the $730 console that’s grabbing the most attention—not for any leap in performance, but simply because it’s more expensive than Sony’s more powerful PS5 Pro.
Unlike the PS5 Pro, which justifies its price with meaningful performance enhancements, the updated Xbox Series X offers no internal upgrades. It only comes with double the storage and a new color, making its higher cost harder to defend.
The reaction is even more surprising considering how harshly Sony was criticized just weeks ago. Many of those critics are now noticeably quiet as Microsoft drops a more expensive but less capable machine.
As competition between Sony and Microsoft ramps up, this pricing move is reshaping the conversation. The focus is shifting from just raw power to how much value gamers are getting for their money.
Ironically, it’s Sony—once blasted for its high price—that now appears to be offering the better deal.
