Sony raises price of PS5 in Africa, other select regions amid global tensions 

The Japanese tech giant confirmed the price hikes on Monday, citing persistent inflation and volatile currency exchange rates as key factors behind what it described as a “tough decision.”

The changes, which exclude the United States market, took effect immediately.

In a blog post published, Sony said, “With a backdrop of a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates, we have made the difficult choice to adjust pricing in select markets.” The company did not provide detailed breakdowns for all regions but confirmed that customers in the Middle East and Africa would see higher prices on some PlayStation 5 models.

In Europe, the digital-only edition of the PlayStation 5, which lacks a Blu-ray disc drive, will now retail for €499.99 (about $570), representing a price increase of over 10%.

In the United Kingdom, the same model will now cost £429.99 ($566.53). Australia and New Zealand are also affected, with both the digital and standard editions seeing price hikes. The standard version includes a disc drive for physical games.

Although Sony has not disclosed specific pricing for African markets, the company confirmed that some adjustments would take place across the region. The announcement marks a rare price revision for a console mid-cycle, underscoring the impact of a shifting global economic climate.

The adjustments arrive at a time of growing volatility in the global economy, fueled in part by the ongoing tariff standoff between the United States and China. The trade tensions, reignited by U.S. President Donald Trump’s expansive tariff policies, have triggered market instability and renewed fears of a broader economic slowdown.

As global consumers brace for higher electronics prices, Sony’s decision reflects the broader financial pressures facing the tech industry.