Microsoft raises pricing of Xbox Series X, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

We were warned... and now it's happening.

Microsoft will raise the price of the Xbox Series X console alongside its Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions in regions including Australia.

Locally, the Xbox Series X will jump $50 AUD from $749 AUD to $799 AUD. Other impacted regions include the UK (soon £479.99), select European Union markets (€549.99), and Canada ($649 CAD). Xbox Series X pricing has not changed in the USA.

The news comes after a price hike — of sorts — on the lesser-powered Xbox Series S. A new 1TB model costs $50 AUD more than it’s 500GB counterpart at $550 AUD, but obviously sports double the storage capacity.

Additionally, The Verge reports that Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions will also increase $1 and $2 $3, respectively; we’ve reached out to local Microsoft representatives for a confirmation on pricing down under. PC Game Pass pricing has not changed. New customers will see the price increases from 6 July, while existing customers will notice the bump from 13 August.

Update: A Microsoft representative has confirmed local price changes and the dates they will come into effect. That means Xbox Game Pass pricing will jump to $11.95 AUD per month, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $17.95 $18.95 AUD per month. PC Game Pass remains at $10.95 AUD per month.

Xbox head Phil Spencer teased price hikes in 2023 way back in October 2022. Microsoft has also increased pricing of its games — September’s Starfield starts at $120 AUD.

Sony too raised the price of its flagship console, the PS5; announced last year, the published said inflation was to blame for the increase.

A miscommunication between Stevivor and Microsoft representatives in Australia meant we first reported the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription would increase by $2 AUD instead of $3 AUD. We’ve amended this article to reflect this corrected information.