US console hardware sales are now showing the effect of recent price increases
Console sales down
Circana’s May 2026 US video game market data shows that Xbox hardware unit sales reached their lowest May total on record. PlayStation hardware unit sales also fell to their lowest May total since May 2000.
PlayStation 5 unit sales were down 58% compared to May 2025. PS5 hardware spending fell 43% year-over-year, with Circana linking the decline to recent price increases. Xbox Series hardware unit sales fell 12% year-over-year. However, Xbox hardware spending still increased 7%, which means Microsoft generated more hardware revenue despite selling fewer consoles. No doubt, a wishful dream is turning into reality for many executives working at these comapnies.
Hardware – PlayStation hardware unit sales fell to their lowest May total since May 2000, while Xbox hardware unit sales were the lowest ever recorded for a May month.
— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-06-26T13:00:03.581Z
But average sale price goes up
The average price paid for new video game hardware in the US reached $502 in May. This is up 14% from $440 a year earlier. Circana says average PS5 pricing increased 33% to $672, while Xbox Series pricing increased 22% to $524.
Nintendo Switch 2 carried the hardware category in May. It was the best-selling hardware platform in both units and dollars for the month and for 2026 year-to-date. Circana says Switch 2 reached a 5.9 million unit installed base in the US after its first twelve months on the market.
Hardware – The average price paid for a new unit of video game hardware reached $502 in May, up 14% compared to a year ago ($440). May 2026 PlayStation 5 average pricing increased by 33% versus a year ago to $672, with Xbox Series up 22%, to $524.
— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-06-26T13:00:03.582Z
The data arrives shortly after Microsoft confirmed another Xbox price increase . From August 1, Xbox console prices will rise by $100 for 512GB models and $150 for 1TB models. Microsoft says console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and may double again by fall 2027.
Sony raised PS5 prices in April. The standard PS5 now has a US price of $649.99, while the PS5 Digital Edition is $599.99 and the PS5 Pro is $899.99. Valve’s new Steam Machine also launched above $1,000, with the 512GB model priced at $1,049.
Source: Circana via Mat Piscatella
