Xbox Prices Could Climb Again as Microsoft Faces Major RAM Shortage, Leaks Warn

Microsoft is considering another price increase on Xbox consoles after already bumping up hardware costs twice this year. The latest threat comes from a worldwide RAM shortage, one that could push console prices even higher, according to multiple industry sources.

This surge isn’t just a distant possibility. “Sooner rather than later,” is how leaker Moore’s Law is Dead puts it, citing conversations with Microsoft’s own sales reps. The price hike, or even a complete drying up of Xbox console supply, could hit shelves way faster than you’d expect.

RAM Shortage Squeezes Xbox, Consumers Pay the Price

The core problem? RAM supplies are stretched painfully thin right now. Global demand is skyrocketing, thanks to massive AI data centres snapping up memory chips at record rates. Consumer tech, including game consoles like the Xbox Series S and X, is suddenly left scrambling for scraps, with suppliers ramping up prices just as fast as companies can place orders.

According to Moore’s Law is Dead (relayed via TGP), Microsoft did not anticipate this shortage. The company reportedly failed to lock in enough RAM at affordable rates while supply was still strong, leaving its console business vulnerable. In their words: “[Microsoft] didn’t plan ahead at all, apparently.”

That lack of foresight now has real consequences. If you’re hoping to grab an Xbox at its current price, Moore’s Law is Dead puts it bluntly: “Those prices could go up soon, or supply could just entirely dry up.” The pressure is coming from all angles, and there’s little Microsoft can do in the short term besides pass the cost to customers or watch the shelves empty.

Sony Dodges the Crisis: PlayStation Prices Stay Low (For Now)

Not everyone is caught flat-footed. Sony, makers of the PlayStation 5, saw the crunch coming and acted early. Moore’s Law is Dead reports that Sony bought up massive quantities of RAM while prices were low, putting them in a far stronger position for the coming months.

“From what I’ve heard, Sony planned ahead, bought up gobs of RAM near the bottom of the pricing, and thus they should be fine for months,’ says the leaker. Sony reportedly picked up so much GDDR6 (the memory powering PlayStation 5) that they’re not sweating the shortage at all, at least through the medium term.

There’s even a likely reason why PlayStation 5 prices are dropping for Black Friday. It’s not a desperation move or sign of weak sales: “They can afford to do it; apparently, they are not worried about the RAM shortage, at least in the short- to mid-term,” according to Moore’s Law is Dead. Don’t be shocked if PlayStation prices rise later on, but for now, Sony can undercut Microsoft confidently.

Game Pass Costs Jump, Squeezing Xbox Fans Even Harder

Hardware isn’t the only thing getting pricier. Microsoft has also ramped up the cost of Xbox Game Pass, hiking the Ultimate tier to $29.99 / £22.99 per month. Recent changes bundle in more than 75 day-one game releases yearly, along with perks like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics.

Cloud gaming via Game Pass is set for a quality boost, and there’s a new Rewards program, but the sting of higher subscription fees is hard to ignore, especially as console prices loom large again. For fans keeping score, 2025 has already seen two Xbox hardware price hikes, and this potential third jump could tip even more players to reconsider their next-gen loyalties.

All Eyes on Microsoft as Console Supply and Pricing Head into Uncertainty

Here’s what we know so far: Multiple, credible leaks now suggest that an Xbox shortage or another round of price hikes is imminent, fueled by Microsoft’s scramble for enough RAM to stay in the game. Sony, meanwhile, seems to have played the long game, securing enough memory and keeping PlayStation 5 prices low, at least through the critical holiday shopping season.

The bottom line? If you’re thinking about buying an Xbox, you may want to act fast; waiting much longer could mean paying more, or watching them vanish from shelves.