Gaming · Console Buying Guide
Xbox Series X vs PS5 Pro: 3-Year Cost After 2026 Price Hikes
$799.99 vs $899.99 — and why the cheaper box can cost more
Both consoles got more expensive in 2026. The subscription you pair them with matters just as much. (Illustration)
Writes about console and PC gaming costs for players who want the math before they buy.
⚡ Quick Verdict
- Console alone: Xbox Series X is $100 cheaper ($799.99 vs $899.99).
- Over 3 years with a subscription: PS5 Pro + PS Plus Extra comes out about $323 cheaper than Xbox Series X + Game Pass Ultimate.
- Buy PS5 Pro if you want the stronger GPU, 2TB of storage, and lower subscription costs.
- Buy Xbox Series X if you want a built-in disc drive, Game Pass, or the two new Xbox exclusives.
- Wait if you mostly want next-gen Xbox — AMD has pointed to a 2027 window.
📑 In This Guide
What Each Console Costs Now (and When It Changed)
Both consoles got much more expensive in 2026. Sony and Microsoft both point to memory and storage costs.
PS5 Pro: Sony set the US price at $899.99, effective April 2, 2026. The console launched at $699.99 in 2024. PlayStation.Blog lists the new price. PlayStation Direct shows the same $899 figure today.
Xbox Series X: Microsoft raised 1TB models by $150 on August 1, 2026, and 512GB models by $100. Xbox Wire says console memory and storage prices rose more than 2.5x. That puts the disc model at $799.99, up from $649.99.
Xbox Series X Digital (1TB): The Microsoft Store lists it at $749.99.
| Official US list price | Price | In effect since |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 Pro (2TB, no disc drive) | $899.99 | April 2, 2026 |
| Xbox Series X (1TB, disc drive) | $799.99 | August 1, 2026 |
| Xbox Series X Digital (1TB) | $749.99 | August 1, 2026 |
Checked 2026-09-15. Retailer sale prices change weekly and are not shown.
You may see a claim online that Sony cut the PS5 Pro back to $749.99 in August 2026. We could not find that announcement on PlayStation.Blog. Sony's own store still lists $899 as of today.
The 3-Year Cost at Official List Prices
The console price is only the entry fee. Most players also pay for a subscription, and that is where the math flips.
We used only official list prices:
- Game Pass Ultimate: $22.99 per month since April 21, 2026 (Xbox Wire). It was $29.99 before that.
- PS Plus 12-month plans: Essential $79.99, Extra $134.99, Premium $159.99 (PlayStation.com).
| Setup (36 months) | Math | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 Pro + PS Plus Essential | $899.99 + 3 × $79.99 | $1,139.96 |
| PS5 Pro + PS Plus Extra | $899.99 + 3 × $134.99 | $1,304.96 |
| PS5 Pro + PS Plus Premium | $899.99 + 3 × $159.99 | $1,379.96 |
| Xbox Series X Digital + Game Pass Ultimate | $749.99 + 36 × $22.99 | $1,577.63 |
| Xbox Series X + Game Pass Ultimate | $799.99 + 36 × $22.99 | $1,627.63 |
Official list prices checked 2026-09-15. Excludes tax, games, accessories, and sales.
The cheaper console becomes the pricier setup. Xbox Series X with Game Pass Ultimate costs about $323 more over 3 years than PS5 Pro with PS Plus Extra.
Two caveats keep this fair:
- The libraries are not the same. Compare the game lists on Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus before you decide.
- Xbox has cheaper Game Pass tiers. If you pick one of those, the gap shrinks. Plug in the tier price you would actually pay.
Also note one policy change: new Call of Duty games no longer join Game Pass at launch. Xbox says they arrive the following holiday season, about a year later.
What the Extra $100 Buys on PS5 Pro
Sony built PS5 Pro as a mid-generation power upgrade. Xbox Series X is the same hardware Microsoft launched in 2020.
PS5 Pro, per Sony
- GPU: 67% more compute units than the standard PS5, plus 28% faster memory.
- Rendering: "up to 45% faster rendering for gameplay" compared with PS5.
- PSSR: AI-based upscaling for sharper 4K images. Sony has since shipped an upgraded PSSR.
- Wi-Fi 7 support and a 2TB SSD.
Sources: PlayStation.Blog reveal, PS5 Pro product page, PSSR upgrade post.
Xbox Series X, per Microsoft
- GPU: 12 teraflops, custom AMD RDNA 2.
- CPU: 8-core custom AMD Zen 2.
- Targets: "True 4K" gaming and up to 120 FPS.
- Quick Resume to switch between several suspended games.
Source: Xbox Series X official page.
Important: Sony's 45% figure compares PS5 Pro with the standard PS5, not with Xbox Series X. No official benchmark compares these two consoles directly. Real results depend on how each game is patched.
If raw graphics are your top priority, a gaming PC is the other option. Our PS5 Pro vs PC breakdown covers that choice.
The Disc Drive and Storage Details Nobody Adds In
These two details change the real price for some buyers.
- PS5 Pro has no disc drive. PlayStation Direct states: "Disc Drive and Vertical Stand sold separately." If you own physical PS5 games or Blu-rays, add the Disc Drive to your budget.
- Xbox Series X includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive on the standard model. The $749.99 Digital model does not.
- Storage: PS5 Pro ships with 2TB. Xbox Series X ships with 1TB. On Xbox, you expand with official Storage Expansion Cards or a USB hard drive for older games.
Bottom line on extras: A disc-based player may spend more on PS5 Pro than the sticker suggests. A digital-only player gets twice the storage on PS5 Pro for $150 more than Series X Digital.
Planning to sell your current console to cover the upgrade? See where to sell used electronics.
Exclusives, GTA 6, and the Next Xbox
GTA 6 is on both
Rockstar set Grand Theft Auto VI for November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (Rockstar Newswire). GTA 6 alone is not a reason to pick one side. Rockstar has not published a PS5 Pro vs Series X performance comparison. More in our GTA 6 release guide.
Xbox is bringing back exclusives
At its June 2026 showcase, Xbox said Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console exclusives, "not timed exclusives" (Xbox Wire). Games already announced as multiplatform stay multiplatform.
A next-gen Xbox may arrive in 2027
AMD's CEO said its semi-custom chip is ready to support a 2027 launch for the next Xbox (Tom's Hardware). Microsoft has not announced a date. Buying a $799.99 Series X late in its life is a real trade-off.
Who Should Buy Which
Choose PS5 Pro if you…
- want the most GPU power of the two
- play mostly digital and want 2TB out of the box
- plan to keep a subscription for years (lower 3-year cost)
Choose Xbox Series X if you…
- want a built-in disc drive with no add-on
- already rely on Game Pass or its cheaper tiers
- want Gears of War: E-Day or Clockwork Revolution
Consider waiting if you…
- are an Xbox fan who can hold out for next-gen hardware
- only need a console for GTA 6 and already own a PS5 or Series X|S
Whichever you pick, a good controller matters. Compare the premium options in our DualSense Edge vs Xbox Elite guide.
📚 Sources
- PlayStation.Blog — New Price Changes for PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal (Mar 27, 2026)
- PlayStation Direct — PS5 Pro Console 2TB listing
- Xbox Wire — Updated Xbox Console Prices (Jun 25, 2026)
- Microsoft Store — Xbox consoles
- Xbox Wire — Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Update (Apr 21, 2026)
- PlayStation.com — PlayStation Plus plans
- PlayStation.Blog — Welcome PlayStation 5 Pro (Sep 10, 2024)
- Xbox.com — Xbox Series X specs
- Xbox Wire — Xbox Games Showcase 2026 Recap
- Rockstar Newswire — GTA VI set for November 19, 2026
- The Shortcut — Xbox Series X price increase, August 2026
- Tom's Hardware — AMD on a 2027 next-gen Xbox
🔍 Limitations
- We did not test either console. Performance notes come from Sony's and Microsoft's published specs.
- No direct benchmark exists between PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X from either company. Sony's 45% claim is versus the standard PS5.
- Only official list prices are used. Retail sales change weekly, so we left them out rather than print numbers that go stale.
- The 3-year math assumes today's subscription prices stay flat. Both companies changed them in the past year.
- We did not price the PS5 Disc Drive or Xbox Storage Expansion Cards, because retailer prices vary. Check the official stores.
FAQ
How much is Xbox Series X in 2026?
The 1TB disc model is $799.99 after the August 1, 2026 increase. The 1TB Digital model is $749.99 on the Microsoft Store.
How much is PS5 Pro in 2026?
Sony's US price is $899.99 since April 2, 2026. We found no official price cut after that date.
Is PS5 Pro more powerful than Xbox Series X?
PS5 Pro has the newer GPU, AI upscaling (PSSR), and 2TB storage. However, no official head-to-head benchmark exists. Results vary by game.
Does PS5 Pro come with a disc drive?
No. Sony sells the Disc Drive separately. Xbox Series X includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive on the standard model.
Which is cheaper over 3 years?
At official list prices, PS5 Pro + PS Plus Extra ($1,304.96) costs less than Xbox Series X + Game Pass Ultimate ($1,627.63). Cheaper Game Pass tiers narrow the gap.
📝 Update Log
- 2026-09-15: Published. Prices checked against PlayStation Direct, Microsoft Store, Xbox Wire, and PlayStation.Blog.
The Bottom Line
Xbox Series X wins the checkout. PS5 Pro wins the long run. Against PS Plus Extra, the $100 you save on Series X disappears within the first year of Game Pass Ultimate.
Pick PS5 Pro for power and lower subscription costs. Pick Series X for the disc drive, Game Pass, and new Xbox exclusives. And if you are loyal to Xbox, watch for next-gen news before spending $800.
💬 Which way are you leaning? Tell us in the comments which subscription you would actually pay for.
🔜 Next up: Switch 2 is now $499.99 and Steam Deck OLED starts at $789. We are updating our handheld comparison with the new prices.
📖 Related Posts
#XboxSeriesX #PS5Pro #ConsoleWars #GamePass #PSPlus #GTA6 #GamingDeals #ConsolePrices
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