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Gaming , PS5
Trevor Barnes
2 2 min read

PS5 Tag Jumps (Again) in EU, AU, and NZ — Here’s What’s Changing and Why It Matters

🎮 I Swear This Already Happened…

I swear this déjà vu is real—didn’t this already happen? Oh right, it did, back in 2022. Sony raised the PlayStation 5’s price in a bunch of countries outside the U.S., citing “global economic conditions” and all that. At the time, I figured it was a one-time adjustment. Fast-forward to 2025, and here we are again. Another round of price bumps, and once again, folks in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are footing the bill.

💸 What’s Shifting and Where

Starting April 14, the official price tags for PS5 consoles are getting a refresh in a few key regions. Here’s what’s changing:

  • Europe: PS5 Digital now at €500 (disc model stays the same).
  • UK: Digital version jumps to £430 (no change to the disc edition).
  • Australia: Standard PS5 now $830 AUD; Digital version hits $750 AUD.
  • New Zealand: Standard up to $950 NZD; Digital climbs to $860 NZD.

The high-spec PS5 Pro? Still sitting tight at its current price—for now, at least.

🌍 Why the Bump (Again)?

Sony pointed to—you guessed it—economic turbulence. They mention things like inflation, unstable currency values, and a generally tough market. It’s basically a copy-paste of their 2022 explanation, which makes sense, but also feels like déjà vu with a new timestamp.

🧮 How Much More Are We Talking?

Let’s put this in real-world terms compared to launch pricing:

  • EU & UK: Digital Edition is now €100 / £70 higher than day one.
  • Australia: Disc model is up $80 AUD; Digital is a whopping $150 AUD more.
  • New Zealand: Disc version up $130 NZD; Digital increased by $210 NZD.

Interestingly, in some places, the disc version is actually dropping in price a bit (by €80 / £70 / $125 AUD / $140 NZD). But that reduction doesn’t quite soften the blow of the Digital Edition’s spike.

🕹️ What’s It Mean for Gamers?

If you’ve been holding out for a PS5, this is definitely a buzzkill—especially if you had your eye on the Digital model. It used to be the cheaper, more accessible option, but now it’s edging uncomfortably close to the disc version’s price, which suddenly feels like a better deal.

Honestly, if I were buying today, I’d probably look for a refurbished unit or wait for a bundle. And as someone who already owns a PS5, it’s just wild watching the cost keep climbing while the tech stays the same.

✅ Trevor Score: 5/10 — Understandable, But Still Frustrating

“This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt using this thing. A gut-check from someone who actually used it.”

I get that prices can’t stay locked forever, and Sony’s probably juggling more behind the scenes than we know. But this second hike in three years doesn’t sit great—especially for players just trying to get into the ecosystem. It’s still a great console, but the value proposition is thinning out.

🧩 Final Take: Still a Great Console, Just a Bit Harder to Justify

Sony clearly believes the PS5 can bear a higher sticker without scaring off too many buyers. And maybe they’re right. But if you’re late to the party, you’re now paying more for the same experience. That’s a tough pill to swallow, even if the games are top-tier.

🎙️ New Price, Same Console — It’s Déjà Vu with a Dollar Sign

If this whole thing feels familiar, that’s because it is. History just repeated itself, and your wallet might be feeling it. Hang in there, fellow gamers—and maybe keep an eye on secondhand deals while you’re at it.

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