Key Takeaways
- Trump’s proposed tariffs could raise the PS5 Pro price due to increased export costs.
- Uncertainty remains about the impact of tariffs on console prices; exemptions may be possible.
- Sony may not need to pass on higher costs to buyers if Japanese electronics face lower tariff rates.
The PlayStation 5 Pro could become even more expensive in 2025 and beyond if President-elect Donald Trump enacts his proposed tariffs. Trump has long been a proponent of high tariffs on imports and has suggested particularly high taxes on goods coming from China during his campaign. Depending on how these policies play out during his term, consoles like the PS5 Pro may pass these costs onto consumers.
Sony’s most recent console has already drawn criticism from some gamers for its high price tag. The PS5 Pro costs $700, making it a whole $200 more than the disc-compatible version of the baseline PS5 and $300 more than the Digital Edition. While it’s unclear how much the proposed tariffs might affect that cost, some speculate that it could hit players’ wallets hard.
Related
PS5 Pro Price Compared to Past PlayStation Consoles When Adjusted for Inflation
This is how the PS5 Pro’s massive price tag compares to past PlayStation consoles when adjusted for inflation.
A recent article from Gizmodo highlights how higher tariffs could impact console prices, citing Trump’s proposed 60% tax on Chinese exports. While Sony is a Japanese company, some PS5 consoles and their components are made in China. Consequently, the tariff could see many consoles raise their prices by roughly 40% to make up for the higher export costs. For the upgraded PS5, that could mean a price tag of nearly $1,000. The PlayStation 5 Pro already costs over $900 in the U.K., but it would be quite the sticker shock for U.S. consumers.
Proposed Tariffs’ Impact on Console Prices Still Uncertain
The idea of a $1,000 PS5 Pro isn’t a comfortable one, but it’s still not certain that such a price hike will happen. Japanese-manufactured electronics may not face such a high rate, so Sony may not need to pass a higher cost burden onto buyers. The Gizmodo article also points out that the 50% tariff Trump imposed in his first term had an exception for electronics after successful lobbying from the tech industry. If something similar happens this time around, fans may not need to scramble for cash to experience all the enhanced games on PS5 Pro.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that Trump won’t even enact the tariffs he proposed during his campaign. Alternatively, he could impose a different rate or make exceptions for some products. It’s impossible to say for sure how the situation will play out before he actually takes office and enacts any formal legislation.
PlayStation 5 Pro
Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro is the mid-generation evolution of the PS5, one that comes with an improved GPU and 2TB of storage space. The graphics card is advertised to offer 67% more compute units than the base PS5, along with 28% faster memory. The PS5 Pro also uses AI to offer an enhanced resolution for 4K TV and Advanced Ray Tracing.
The console does not come with a disc drive or a vertical stand, both of which are sold separately.
- 4K Capability
- Yes
- What’s Included
- DualSense Controller, Power Supply
- Brand
- Sony
- Storage
- 2TB SSD
- CPU
- 8-core Zen 2
- Connectivity
- IEEE 802.11be
- Audio
- Tempest 3D AudioTech (In Supported Games)
- RAM
- 16GB
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