Microsoft has announced a global price increase for all available Xbox consoles, effective August 2026. Meanwhile, the model with the largest storage capacity is being discontinued entirely.
There was a time, long before the storage crisis, when consoles actually got cheaper over the course of their time on the market. That’s just a pipe dream now; instead, we’re seeing yet another price increase.
This time, Microsoft announced on the
New Xbox Prices: Here’s What We Can Expect
Hopes for regional restrictions are quickly dashed: As Microsoft explains, the new prices apply worldwide. So far, however, only the new prices for the U.S. market have been announced:
- Xbox Series S (512 GB):From $400 to $500
- Xbox Series S (1 TB): From $450 to $600
- Xbox Series X (1 TB without optical drive):From $600 to $750
- Xbox Series X (1 TB with optical drive):From $650 to $800
Depending on the version, a price increase of between 100 and 150 euros is to be expected in Germany—Microsoft isn’t exactly known for taking currency exchange rates into account and typically passes on such increases on a one-to-one basis—as was the case, for example, with the most recent increase in May 2025.
As a result, the new MSRPs for the Xbox Series in Germany are expected to be as follows starting August 1, 2026:
- Xbox Series S (512 GB):From 350 to 450 euros
- Xbox Series S (1 TB): From 400 to 550 euros
- Xbox Series X (1 TB without optical drive):From 550 to 700 euros
- Xbox Series X (1 TB with optical drive):From 600 to 750 euros
If you’re missing a specific model from the list, you’ve been paying close attention: Where is the 2 TB Xbox Series X, which was also marketed as the “Galaxy Black Special Edition”?
Microsoft simply announced that the 2 TB version has been discontinued and removed from stores. No official reason is given, but reading between the lines—key phrase: “storage prices have doubled and a half”—it’s safe to assume that the price premium would have been too exorbitant to justify continued production.
To still provide gamers with an “accessible way” to get an Xbox console, Microsoft is introducing several programs in the same blog post. This will allow interested customers to purchase an Xbox using a “Buy Now, Pay Later” plan and make payments either interest-free through the Microsoft Store or via Amazon.
In addition, a new trade-in program for exchanging old Xbox consoles—in exchange for a discount, store credit, or cash—as well as a program for “certified refurbished consoles” that can be purchased directly from Microsoft will be launched.
