Key recommendations
- Trump's proposed tariffs could increase the price of the PS5 Pro 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 tariffs.
The PlayStation 5 Pro it could become even more expensive in 2025 and beyond if President-elect Donald Trump enacts the proposed tariffs. Trump has long been a supporter of high import tariffs and suggested particularly high tariffs on goods originating from China during his campaign. Depending on how these policies play out during his tenure, consoles like the PS5 Pro may pass those costs on to consumers.
Sony's latest console has already drawn criticism from some gamers for its high price. The PS5 Pro costs $700, making it $200 more than the disc-compatible version of the base PS5 and $300 more than the digital edition. While it's unclear how much the proposed tariffs could affect that cost, some are speculating that it could hurt players' wallets.
Related
PS5 Pro price compared to previous PlayStation consoles when adjusted for inflation
Here's how the PS5 Pro's massive price tag compares to previous PlayStation consoles when adjusted for inflation.
A recent article from Gizmodo outlines 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. As a result, the tariff could see many consoles raise their prices by around 40% to offset higher export costs. For the updated PS5, that could mean a price tag of nearly $1,000. The PlayStation 5 Pro already costs over $900 in the UK, but it would be sticker shock for US consumers.
The impact of the proposed tariffs on console prices is still uncertain
The idea of a $1,000 PS5 Pro isn't a comfortable one, but it's still far from certain that such a price hike will happen. Electronics made in Japan may not face such a high rate, so Sony may not need to pass on a higher cost burden to buyers. The Gizmodo article also points out that the 50 percent tariff imposed by Trump in his first term had an exception for electronics after successful lobbying by the tech industry. If something similar happens this time around, fans may not need to shell out the cash to experience all the enhanced games on the 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 quota 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 passes any official 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. The graphics card is touted to offer 67% more compute units than the base PS5, along with 28% faster memory. PS5 Pro also uses artificial intelligence to deliver improved resolution for 4K TV and advanced Ray Tracing.
The console does not come with a hard drive or vertical stand, both of which are sold separately.
- 4K capability
- Yes
- What is included
- DualSense controller, power supply
- mark
- Sony
- Storage
- 2TB SSD
- CPU
- Zen 2 with 8 cores
- Connectivity
- IEEE 802.11be
- Audio
- Tempest 3D AudioTech (in supported games)
- RAM
- 16 GB
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