When the PS5 Pro launched in November 2024 with a $699 price tag, many found it steep. However, by April 2026, a scenario no one anticipated came to pass: the console’s price surged to $900 in the U.S.
The increase is attributed to a global component shortage, primarily driven by corporations investing heavily in AI data centers. Sony opted not to absorb these escalating costs, passing them directly onto consumers.
Gaming, once considered an “affordable luxury,” is no longer accessible to everyone. For many, the choice has become stark: either invest in a new console or cover a month’s rent.
“I’ll never buy a house anyway, so at least I have this $900 box” has become a melancholic mantra for a growing number of gamers.
The issue extends beyond just price; a scarcity of games is also a major concern. During a comparable period in the PS4’s lifecycle, players had a rich selection of titles like God of War, Spider-Man, and Horizon. Now, in mid-2026, the number of true PlayStation exclusives can be counted on one hand.
Sony’s recent trajectory paints a picture of a corporation that shutters talented studios, such as Bluepoint Games, cancels ambitious projects, and inflates hardware prices for devices primarily used to re-run older hits with only marginal graphical improvements.
For decades, the tech industry operated on a simple rule: hardware becomes more affordable over time. This principle now appears shattered. The PS5, rather than decreasing in price, has seen its cost dramatically increase.