XBOX Series X Hits €800 in Europe After Major Price Increase

Microsoft's latest price hikes have made Xbox consoles significantly more expensive across Europe, leaving many gamers wondering how much the next generation of hardware will cost.

Buying a new gaming console has never been exactly cheap, but Xbox's latest price increases are turning heads for all the wrong reasons. According to the sources, Microsoft has rolled out another round of price hikes, and European gamers are feeling the biggest impact. With some Xbox models now costing hundreds more than they did at launch, many fans are starting to question whether consoles are still the budget-friendly way to play.

The biggest surprise is the Xbox Series X 1TB model with a disc drive. When it launched in 2020, it carried a $500 price tag in the United States. Fast forward to 2026, and that same console now sells for $800. That's a huge jump in just a few years, especially for hardware that's already well into its life cycle.

The situation looks even more dramatic in Europe. According to the sources, the Xbox Series X 1TB disc model is now priced at €800. After converting the price, that's well over $900, making it one of the most expensive current-generation consoles on the market. The more affordable Xbox Series S hasn't escaped the increases either.

The 512GB version now starts at €499, bringing it close to the $600 mark once exchange rates are taken into account.

The UK hasn't been spared, either. We now hear that the Xbox Series X with a disc drive is £670, a further indication that Microsoft's recent pricing policy is impacting numerous regions rather than just one market. For many players, the numbers are becoming difficult to ignore. Consoles have traditionally been the cheaper alternative to building or buying a gaming PC, but that gap is shrinking.

When a console starts creeping toward PC-level pricing, it's fair to ask whether the value proposition still holds up. So why are prices climbing so much? Microsoft is still dealing with rising production costs despite charging more for the hardware. One major reason is memory prices. 

Industry analysts and RAM manufacturers reportedly expect memory costs to continue increasing next year, meaning the pressure on hardware makers isn't going away anytime soon. That also raises questions about what's coming next. Rumors continue to circulate about Microsoft's next-generation Xbox project, often referred to as Project Helix, while reports have also suggested that Sony is preparing for the next PlayStation.

How much will future systems cost? As it is, today's consoles are already nearing the $1,000 level in some countries.

There has even been some industry talk of next-gen consoles costing $1,000 or more, with high-end predictions going much beyond that if component prices keep rising. Those numbers are speculative, but speak to a rising anxiety about the future of gaming gear.

For now, one thing is clear: dependable console pricing appears to be a thing of the past. Whether gamers are planning to upgrade soon or waiting for the next wave of hardware, the cost of getting into the latest generation has become a much bigger conversation than anyone expected. With prices climbing this fast, could gamers start holding onto their old consoles longer instead of rushing to buy the next one?