Sony’s Price Increase Triggered PlayStation 5 Buying Rush for Record 2026 Sales

Sony recently announced sweeping price increases for the PlayStation 5, which meant that, as of April 2, the PS5 base would cost $649.99, while the Digital Edition would cost $599.99, and the PS5 Pro rose to a whopping $899.99. According to industry analyst, Mat Piscatella of Circana Reseach, the announcement of a price increase resulted in a buying rush for the PlayStation 5 towards the end of March and during the first week of April.

As a result of this buying rush, PlayStation 5 sales reached an annual high for 2026 during the first week of April. The increase in sales amounted to a nearly 100% increase in year-over-year console hardware sales when compared to the same week in 2025. Part of this increase in sales can almost certainly be explained by the threat of further price increases down the line, which are expected to result in launch pricing of the PS6 sitting at around $800. With no end to the current DRAM supply issues in sight, it makes sense that some prospective PS5 buyers would want to get hold of the hardware before they are priced out, although it remains to be seen how Sony plays the launch of the PS6.