Sony hikes PlayStation 5 prices again and halts CFexpress card sales: everything you need to know

If you've been thinking about grabbing a PlayStation 5, you might want to read this before you keep saving. Sony has just dropped two bombshells that are going to hit gamers' wallets harder than we expected. First up, another price hike for several models of its console (yes, again). And second, a complete halt on sales of CFexpress memory cards – just when they were starting to look like a decent option for expanding internal storage. Let's break it down, because there's a lot to unpack.

PS5 prices are jumping (again) from April 2

Anyone following the market closely knows this isn't the first time. But what really stings is the reason: the conflict in Iran is hammering global supply chains, and Sony has had no choice but to pass those extra costs on to the end user. From April 2, prices for the PlayStation 5 Slim Digital, PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal will jump. And we're not talking pocket change – we're looking at increases that in some cases exceed €100.

Here's the clear breakdown so you don't get a shock at the checkout:

• PS5 Slim Digital Edition: goes from €449.99 to €499.99 (€50 more).
• PS5 Pro: the top-tier model jumps from €799.99 to €899.99 (€100 hike).
• PlayStation Portal: the remote play handheld goes from €219.99 to €249.99 (€30 more).

Keep in mind that disc-drive models (the standard PS5) are safe for now. But let's not count our chickens too quickly – the geopolitical situation is still a wildcard. If component costs rise further, don't rule out a fourth wave before the end of the year.

More trouble: Sony says goodbye to CFexpress cards

Just when the PlayStation 5 community was starting to warm up to CFexpress cards for expanding internal memory (much faster than external USB hard drives), Sony has slammed the brakes. The company has suspended sales of these cards without any warning, and what's worse – there's no estimated date for when they'll be back in stock. If you head to the PlayStation Store or any official retailer right now, you'll see "sold out" or straight-up "product not available".

The official reason? Logistics issues with memory controllers – something we've seen with other manufacturers before. But many of us suspect there's also a push to steer users toward Sony's official internal SSD drives, which cost double what an equivalent CFexpress card would. Either way, if you're one of those with a PlayStation 4 thinking about making the leap to the new generation, be aware that expanding storage right now is a real headache. And no, dodgy adapter tricks don't always work well.

What should I do if I'm planning to buy a PS5?

My plain and simple advice: if you can scrape together the cash before April 2, run. Current prices will hold until April 1 inclusive, but after that you'll be forking out the new amounts. I'd also suggest looking at second-hand units or PlayStation Store bundles that include digital games – sometimes retailers throw in deals to soften the blow. As for CFexpress cards… patience. Or start looking at alternative brands like Sabrent or WD Black, which haven't announced any price hikes or stock shortages yet.

Either way, this is just another chapter in the hardware rollercoaster. The PlayStation 5 is still an incredible machine, but it's getting more expensive to keep it happy. The only good news is that PlayStation 4 games still run brilliantly on the new console, so at least backwards compatibility has your back. For everything else, it's time to tighten the belt and keep a close eye on the date: April 2 is coming, and your wallet has been warned.