- Microsoft has confirmed new Xbox console price increases from August 1, 2026.
- Xbox Series X and Series S models are going up by between $100 and $150 in the US.
- The 2TB Xbox model is also being discontinued.
- Walmart currently has a discounted Xbox Series X deal that could save buyers money before the new pricing begins.
Microsoft is about to make Xbox hardware more expensive for the second time in less than a year, and if you have been thinking about buying an Xbox Series X, this might be the moment to stop waiting. The company has confirmed that fresh price increases for Xbox consoles will kick in from August 1, 2026, with some models set to jump by as much as $150 in the US.
That timing is particularly striking because it lands just ahead of one of the biggest gaming releases on the horizon: GTA VI. If you were already considering upgrading your setup before Rockstar’s next blockbuster arrives, the latest announcement makes today’s deals look far more appealing than they did a week ago.
And right now, one offer in particular stands out. Walmart currently has the 1TB disc version of the Xbox Series X available at a discount, which means buyers still have a small window to dodge Microsoft’s incoming price hike and pick up the flagship console for less.
Xbox prices are climbing again
In a post shared through Xbox News Wire, Microsoft said that Xbox console prices in the US will rise from August 1, 2026. According to the announcement, 512GB models will go up by $100, while 1TB models will increase by $150. Microsoft also said it is sunsetting its 2TB Xbox model, trimming the range as prices head in the opposite direction.
For anyone keeping score, this is not a minor adjustment. A $150 increase is enough to change the conversation around value, especially at a time when console buyers are already dealing with pricier games, accessories, and subscription services. It also puts more pressure on anyone who has been sitting on the fence, because the same machine could soon cost significantly more without offering anything new in return.
At the moment, the confirmed figures apply to the US market, but it would be surprising if the rest of the world escaped similar treatment. Microsoft has not yet detailed what this means for other regions, though price changes outside the US now feel more like a question of when and by how much rather than whether they will happen at all.
Why the timing matters so much
The timing of this increase is what makes it especially noteworthy. Xbox is heading into a period where hardware demand could spike, largely because GTA VI is looming over the games industry like a meteor. It is one of those rare releases that has the power to move consoles, pull casual players back into the market, and convince plenty of holdouts that now is the time to upgrade.
That makes this price rise feel less like a routine adjustment and more like a move made just before a major buying wave. Anyone hoping to jump into the current generation in time for Rockstar’s next giant release is now facing a simple calculation: buy before August, or risk paying considerably more for the same console later.
That is also why the current Walmart deal matters. Discounts on the Xbox Series X are always welcome, but they become far more valuable when they are stacked against an official price increase that is already locked in. A deal is one thing. A deal that lets you avoid a confirmed $150 jump is something else entirely.
The Walmart Xbox Series X deal is suddenly much more interesting
The standout offer right now is on the 1TB disc version of the Xbox Series X at Walmart. On its own, it is a solid console deal. In the context of Microsoft’s August pricing changes, it starts to look like one of the last genuinely smart buying opportunities before the floor shifts under the market.
The Series X remains the best Xbox console for players who want the full-fat experience. You get the most powerful Xbox hardware available, support for physical games, strong backwards compatibility, and enough performance headroom to make upcoming blockbuster releases feel worthwhile. If GTA VI is part of your gaming plans for the next year, this is still the Xbox most people should be looking at.
Of course, there is always the chance that more deals pop up between now and August 1. Retailers may decide to squeeze in a few more discounts before the higher pricing takes effect. But the risk is obvious too: once stock tied to current pricing starts to disappear, discounts may dry up quickly, and the new MSRP will become the new normal.
Buy now or wait later and pay more
If you were casually browsing for an Xbox Series X before, Microsoft’s latest announcement changes the equation. This is no longer just about grabbing a nice discount when one appears. It is about deciding whether you want to beat a confirmed price rise before it lands.
For buyers in the US, that makes the current Walmart deal feel like a short-term opportunity rather than just another weekly offer. For buyers outside the US, the situation is a little murkier, but not necessarily reassuring. If Microsoft follows the same pattern globally, waiting could end up being an expensive mistake.
The broader takeaway is fairly simple: Xbox hardware is getting more expensive, not less. And with one of the biggest games of the generation approaching, there is a strong chance that prices will only become harder to swallow once demand starts ramping up. If you know you want an Xbox Series X, buying before August now looks like the smarter move.
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