PlayStation 5 sales double ahead of Sony price hikes

In a notable development, Sony recently announced price increases for PlayStation 5 models, which has had a significant impact on console sales figures. For the first time in console history, we’re seeing sales rise before prices actually go up. That comes as a surprise, given the usual trend of prices falling as a console’s lifecycle progresses.

Price hikes announced

On April 2, 2026, Sony confirmed that the price of every PlayStation 5 model will increase by at least $100. The base PlayStation 5 will go from $500 to $650, while the Digital Edition now costs $600. This marks the second price increase for the PS5 in the past two years, with earlier hikes also taking place during a period of economic pressure and fluctuations in production costs.

Sales surge in March

During the week ending April 4, 2026, Sony posted its best sales results of 2026. According to Circana data, as shared by Mat Piscatella, PlayStation 5 hardware sales nearly doubled compared with the previous week. That was driven by rumors of the upcoming price hike, which prompted many consumers to buy a PS5 before the increase took effect.