Sony Raises PS5 Pro Price as Demand Surges Before GTA 6

Sony's PlayStation 5 family has become more expensive in 2026, with the PS5 Pro reaching $900 and facing shortages as players prepare for Grand Theft Auto VI. The price changes follow rising manufacturing costs and increased demand for higher-performance hardware.

According to Engadget, the standard PS5 Digital Edition launched at $399 in 2020 but now costs $599, while the disc model rose from $499 to $649. The increases came after Sony raised prices by $50 in August 2025 and another $100 in April 2026.

Engadget reported that inflation alone does not explain the difference. The original $399 Digital Edition would equal about $514.90 in 2026 dollars, while the current price remains higher.

Sony linked the higher costs to memory supply pressures affecting electronics manufacturers. The company said the shortage has been influenced by demand for high-performance memory used in data centers, limiting supply for consumer devices.

"Rising memory prices increase bill of materials (BOM) costs and worsen manufacturing costs [for the PS5]." said Sony in a Q4 2025 investor call.

Engadget reported that Sony expects memory supply constraints to continue into 2027 and said the company has secured enough supply to maintain manufacturing capacity through the end of 2026.

The PS5 Pro also faced availability issues after its $899 launch price failed to prevent rapid sellouts on PlayStation Direct, according to en.gamegpu.com. The 2 TB console was listed as out of stock shortly after orders opened.

Demand increased as players sought upgraded hardware ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI's November launch, en.gamegpu.com reported. Resellers later listed sealed consoles on secondary marketplaces for around $1,500.

GameStop also faced criticism after a used PS5 Pro appeared on its website for $1,400 on Oct. 6, according to thecooldown.com. The listing was about 56% above Sony's $900 suggested retail price.

Thecooldown.com reported that an alleged internal GameStop notice described the higher pricing as "intentional."

The reported GameStop listing appeared while both new and used PS5 Pro units were out of stock on the retailer's website by 9:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 6. Third-party sellers on other marketplaces also offered consoles above the official price, according to thecooldown.com.

Engadget reported that console makers traditionally reduce prices later in a generation as manufacturing becomes cheaper. The PS5 has instead moved in the opposite direction because of increased component costs.