If you have been sitting on the fence about picking up an Xbox, the clock is now ticking. Microsoft has confirmed a worldwide price increase for every Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X model, kicking in on August 1, 2026 — and the jumps are not small.
Xbox price increase 2026: the new numbers
Microsoft announced the changes on the official Xbox Wire, with all models affected from August 1:
- Xbox Series S 512GB — US$399.99 → US$499.99 (+US$100)
- Xbox Series S 1TB — US$449.99 → US$599.99 (+US$150)
- Xbox Series X Digital 1TB — US$599.99 → US$749.99 (+US$150)
- Xbox Series X 1TB with disc — US$649.99 → US$799.99 (+US$150)
The 2TB Xbox Series X model is being discontinued outright and will not continue at any price point. Microsoft has not yet released updated Singapore dollar pricing, but local retailers typically adjust within days of a global announcement, so the window to buy at current SGD rates is narrow. Check with major game retailers and electronics chains in Singapore for current stock and pricing before August 1.
Why is Microsoft raising Xbox prices?
Microsoft was direct about the reason. In the Xbox Wire post, the company stated that “console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027.” The post also reiterated that consoles are sold at or below cost — unlike phones or PCs — making component inflation a direct hit to the business.
This is the third price increase for the Xbox Series generation. The first came in May 2025, a second followed in October 2025 (US market only), and this August 2026 wave is the broadest yet, hitting markets worldwide simultaneously.
Microsoft’s buy-now options before August 1
To soften the blow, Microsoft has introduced several affordability measures alongside the announcement: interest-free buy now, pay later through the Microsoft Store; 0% APR financing for up to 12 months via Amazon; and trade-in programmes for pre-owned consoles with certified refurbished units at up to US$100 off the new MSRP.
For Singapore gamers, the practical takeaway is straightforward — if an Xbox is already on your shortlist, buying before August 1 at current local prices is the better deal. The Series S remains the most affordable entry point into the Xbox ecosystem and Microsoft’s Game Pass library, even at the higher price tier. For those on the fence between the Series X and a PS5, the relative value comparison has shifted slightly in Sony’s favour with this increase.
No changes have been announced to Game Pass subscription pricing at this time.