The Xbox Series S grabs a massive price hike and now costs as much as a PS5 Digital in Brazil, and Microsoft won't explain why

News
By Samuel Tolbert
published

Now the same price as a PS5 Digital Edition.

Xbox Series S on its side.
(Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Game consoles are traditionally more expensive in Brazil than in many other countries due to the price of imports on tech. 
  • A report from The Enemy indicates that Microsoft has raised the price of the Xbox Series S in Brazil. 
  • Microsoft is now recommending retailers sell Xbox Series S at R$3,599, which is close to the price of the PS5 Digital Edition. 

Microsoft's two-SKU Xbox model strategy is designed to target lower and higher-end price points, but that strategy now looks a fair bit stranger in one country.

News initially broke from Brazilian outlet The Enemy, which received a statement from Microsoft indicating that the price of the Xbox Series S was going up, but not the price of the Xbox Series X.

"At Xbox, we remain focused on offering the best gaming experience at a variety of price points, so gamers can choose what best fits their gaming needs and budget," reads the statement. "In the coming weeks, we will begin to communicate price adjustments for Xbox Series S consoles in Brazil."

"While the console remains an important part of the Xbox ecosystem, we will continue to offer great games, skills and options for gamers in Brazil so they can play how and where they want."

The Enemy notes that prior to this price increase, the Xbox Series S was available between R$2000 and R$2500, but the console will now be listed at a suggested retail price of R$3,599, which is around the retail price of the original PS5 Digital Edition model. This price increase is only applying to the white 512GB Xbox Series S, not the 1TB black model. 

When we reached out to Microsoft for comment, the company referred us to the The Enemy's article, confirming the price hike. 

Analysis: That's not good

I'm aware that the economy around the world is troubled and different regions have different specific issues, but this seems like a mistake. The gulf between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S has been drastically decreased, so it seems far more likely that most players who want an Xbox console will just save up a bit more and go for the higher-end model. 

Samuel Tolbert
Samuel Tolbert
Freelance Writer

Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter @SamuelTolbert.

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • fdruid
    New to the Third World economy? Sony will rise it too, of course. It's called inflation.

    Go research what stuff costs here in Argentina, you'll go crazy. Go look at how much games are going to cost too with Steam's currency change for the region. There you go.
    Reply
  • Ron-F
    fdruid said:
    New to the Third World economy? Sony will rise it too, of course. It's called inflation.

    Go research what stuff costs here in Argentina, you'll go crazy. Go look at how much games are going to cost too with Steam's currency change for the region. There you go.
    No sense, the inflation in Brazil for 2023 is being projected at 4.65%. At this price point, it is impossible to recommend Xbox over the similar priced PS5 or the much less expensive Switch. Microsoft gave up competing in the Brazilian console market.

    In the past, I've recommended the combo of Series S and GamePass to many lapsed gamers of my age, but I cannot do it anymore. If you're a Brazilian who enjoys Xbox games, you should get a gaming PC.
    Reply