Xbox Prices Are Going Up — Here's How to Save Right Now
If you've been on the fence about picking up a new Xbox console, the clock is officially ticking. Microsoft has confirmed that prices across its entire Xbox lineup will rise in August 2026, marking the second price increase in less than a year. The culprit? Persistently high memory costs that have been driving up prices in industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to consumer electronics. The good news is that right now, ahead of both the price hikes and Prime Day, you can still find meaningful discounts on both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S at major retailers. Here's everything you need to know to make a smart purchase before it's too late.
Why Xbox Prices Are Rising Again
Microsoft's decision to raise prices isn't happening in a vacuum. Global memory chip costs have continued to climb, squeezing manufacturers across virtually every tech category. Consoles, which rely heavily on fast, high-capacity storage and RAM, are especially vulnerable to these pressures. This is the second time in under a year that Xbox hardware pricing has gone up, signaling that the era of stable console pricing may be behind us for the foreseeable future.
For consumers, this creates a narrow but meaningful window of opportunity. The current retail prices are already discounted below their standard rates at several major stores — meaning you can save twice over by acting before August. Whether you're a hardcore gamer eyeing the flagship Xbox Series X or a more casual player considering the budget-friendly Xbox Series S, there's a deal worth paying attention to right now.
Xbox Series X: The Flagship Gets a Significant Price Cut
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's most powerful console, built for gamers who want the best visual experience available. With support for 4K gameplay, a built-in 4K Blu-ray disc drive, and 1TB of fast internal storage, it's the go-to choice for anyone who wants their living room setup to be truly future-proof. Under normal circumstances, the Series X retails for $649.99 — but that price is about to jump significantly to $799.99 when the August increase takes effect.
Right now, however, you can grab the 1TB Xbox Series X disc edition for considerably less:
- Walmart: $573.00 (down from $649.99)
- Target: $573.99 (down from $649.99)
That's a saving of roughly $76 to $77 off the standard price — and more importantly, it puts you nearly $227 ahead of where the price will land just weeks from now. If you're planning to pick up a new console to play highly anticipated releases like GTA VI later this year, the Xbox Series X at this price point is a genuinely compelling buy. The disc drive alone adds real long-term value, giving you the flexibility to purchase physical games, rent discs, and play 4K Blu-ray movies — something the digital-only variants can't offer.
Xbox Series S: Compact, Capable, and Still on Sale
Not everyone needs the full power of the Series X, and that's exactly where the Xbox Series S shines. This smaller, disc-free console is designed for digital-first gamers who want access to the same Xbox game library at a more accessible price. While it tops out at 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution rather than full 4K, for many players — especially those on 1080p televisions — the visual difference is negligible. The gaming experience, including access to Xbox Game Pass titles, backward compatibility, and fast load times, is essentially the same.
The Series S currently retails for $399.99, but that price is set to climb to $499.99 in August — a full $100 increase. Before that happens, here's where you can find it discounted:
- Dell: $349.99 for the 512GB model (down from $399.99) — currently the best available deal
- Target: $379.99 for the same 512GB model — slightly higher, but worth considering if you prefer local pickup or have a Target Circle Card for additional savings
Dell's offer is the standout here, shaving $50 off the current retail price and putting a full $150 of distance between what you'd pay now versus what you'd pay after the August hike. For budget-conscious buyers or parents shopping for a first console, this is a hard deal to ignore.
Which Xbox Console Should You Buy?
Choosing between the Series X and Series S really comes down to your priorities. If you own or plan to own a 4K television, watch physical media, or want the absolute best performance for demanding titles, the Xbox Series X at $573 is the stronger long-term investment — especially given that its post-hike price of $799.99 will make it considerably harder to justify. On the other hand, if you primarily game on a standard HD screen, prefer digital downloads, and want to spend less upfront, the Xbox Series S at $349.99 from Dell offers remarkable value for the price.
Either way, both consoles represent a better deal today than they will in August, and a far better deal than they'll be once prices normalize at the new, higher levels.
Act Before August — These Deals Won't Last
Retail discounts tied to promotional periods like Prime Day tend to be time-limited, and with Microsoft's price increases looming, inventory at these sale prices could move quickly. Whether you shop at Walmart, Target, or Dell, the window to lock in current pricing is shrinking. If a new Xbox has been on your wish list, there's genuinely no better time than right now to pull the trigger and save a meaningful amount of money before the market shifts.