PS5 Digital Edition Gets Price Bump In Europe & Australia — But There's A Silver Lining

Starting April 14, the new recommended retail prices (RRPs) for the PS5 Digital Edition are officially in effect.

The price for the standard PS5 with the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive remains unchanged in Europe and the UK.

Source : Kerde Severin/Unsplash

PS5 Price Hike: Sony has announced a price hike for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition across several global markets, citing tough economic conditions and currency fluctuations. The move affects buyers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Australia, and New Zealand — regions where the gaming giant says inflation and exchange rate instability have forced difficult pricing decisions. No announcements have been made for PS5 prices in India as of yet.

New Price Tags Hit Shelves This Week

Starting April 14, the new recommended retail prices (RRPs) for the PS5 Digital Edition are officially in effect. Here’s a quick look:

• Europe: €499.99
• United Kingdom: £429.99
• Australia: AUD $749.95
• New Zealand: NZD $859.95

Interestingly, the price for the standard PS5 with the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive remains unchanged in Europe and the UK. However, in Australia and New Zealand, both standard and digital editions are affected — the disc version now costs AUD $829.95 and NZD $949.95, respectively.

Sony clarified that this revision applies to select EMEA markets beyond the ones listed. "Please check with your local retailer and direct.playstation.com where available," the company advised.

Disc Drive Becomes a Bit More Wallet-Friendly

In a move to slightly cushion the blow, SIE is lowering the price of the attachable PS5 Disc Drive, which works with the newer PS5 models. Effective the same day as the console price revision, here are the updated RRPs:

• Europe: €79.99
• UK: £69.99
• Australia: AUD $124.95
• New Zealand: NZD $139.95

This may come as a welcome development for players who initially opted for the Digital Edition and are now considering expanding to physical games.

PS5 Pro Fans Can Breathe Easy — For Now

Gamers eyeing the higher-end PS5 Pro can rest assured — its pricing remains unaffected by the latest changes.

Sony emphasized that these pricing decisions weren't made lightly. "With a backdrop of a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates, SIE has made the tough decision to raise the recommended retail price (RRP) of the PlayStation 5 console in select markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Australia and New Zealand," the company stated.

While the move may not sit well with budget-conscious gamers, the company is seemingly trying to strike a balance between navigating global financial pressures and offering some relief through peripheral price cuts.