Xbox Series X Price Increases to $1,600 Outside the US as Stock Shortages Worsen

Microsoft increased Xbox console prices worldwide on August 1, citing a sharp increase in memory and storage costs. The latest price hike pushed the US price of the 1TB Xbox Series X with a disc drive to $799.99, up from $649.99. Now, reports of limited availability and increased retail prices are raising fresh questions about how easily players can buy an Xbox Series X outside the US.

A recent post from gaming industry insider and Windows Central journalist Jez Corden has brought the issue back into focus, prompting further discussion among Xbox fans. Over the weekend, Corden asked readers outside traditional English-speaking markets about Xbox console availability. The responses to his post on X highlighted a growing problem. Many players in several countries have reported that Xbox Series X|S consoles have become difficult to find at regular retail prices.

New Xbox Series X price in parts of Europe has been hiked to approx. $1600

Over on ResetEra, users shared examples of inflated prices in their respective markets. One ResetEra user reported that a Swedish retailer was asking the equivalent of around $1,600 for an Xbox Series X, far above Microsoft’s advertised price of approximately $770 for the 1TB disc-drive model. Another user reported that a major retailer in their country was listing the console for €1,325.40, compared with the official European price of €799.99 following the August increase.

The situation reportedly extends beyond Sweden. Spain has also faced months of limited availability, while Xbox hardware availability in parts of Latin America has become a concern for local players. In Brazil, users have complained about Microsoft’s reduced hardware presence. Meanwhile, US buyers appear to have better access to consoles, although some retailers have reduced the shelf space dedicated to Xbox products.

Xbox’s price hike is making the shortage more painful

Microsoft’s August price increase pushed the US price of the standard 1TB Xbox Series X to $799.99. The company attributed the change to rising memory and storage costs, saying those component prices had increased by more than 2.5 times and could double again by fall 2027. However, the problem for players in affected markets is no longer just the official price. When consoles are unavailable through regular retailers, buyers may have to turn to marketplace sellers charging hundreds of dollars more.

The shortage also raises questions about Xbox’s hardware strategy as Microsoft returns to releasing more console-exclusive games. New releases can attract players, but that strategy becomes harder to sustain if potential customers can’t find a console at a reasonable price.