Sony has announced an increase in the recommended retail prices (RRPs) for PlayStation 5 consoles in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, effective from April 14. The company attributes these changes to a "challenging economic environment," characterized by high inflation rates and fluctuating exchange rates. This news was officially shared through a post on the PlayStation Blog.

Here are the updated RRPs:

• Europe:

  • PS5 Digital Edition: €500 (The price of the standard PS5 with disc drive remains unchanged)

• UK:

  • PS5 Digital Edition: £430 (The price of the standard PS5 with disc drive remains unchanged)

• Australia:

  • Standard PS5 with disc drive: AUD $830
  • PS5 Digital Edition: AUD $750

• New Zealand:

  • Standard PS5 with disc drive: NZD $950
  • PS5 Digital Edition: NZD $860

It's worth noting that the price of the PS5 Pro has not been altered.

This adjustment follows similar price hikes implemented in 2022, making the PS5 significantly more expensive in many regions compared to its initial launch prices. In Europe and the UK, the PS5 Digital Edition has seen a €100/£70 increase from its launch price of €400/£360. In Australia, the standard PS5 has risen by AUD $80 from AUD $750, and the digital edition by AUD $150 from AUD $600. In New Zealand, the standard PS5 has increased by NZD $130 from NZD $820, while the digital version has gone up by NZD $210 from NZD $650.

Interestingly, the RRP for the PS5 disc drive is set to decrease to €80/£70/AUD $125/NZD $140, offering some relief amidst these price adjustments.