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

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a PlayStation 5, you might want to read this before saving another penny. Sony just dropped two bombshells that are going to hit gamers' wallets harder than we expected. First up: another price hike on several console models (yes, again). Second: a complete halt on sales of CFexpress memory cards, just when they were starting to look like a solid option for expanding internal storage. Let’s break it all down — this is a mess worth unpacking.

PS5 prices are jumping (again) starting April 2

If you’ve been keeping tabs on the market, you know 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 no choice but to pass those added costs on to customers. Starting April 2, prices for the PlayStation 5 Slim Digital, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal are going up in one go. And we’re not talking pocket change — in some cases, the increase tops €100.

Here’s the clear breakdown so you don’t get sticker shock at the store:

• 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 (a €100 increase).
• PlayStation Portal: the remote-play handheld goes from €219.99 to €249.99 (€30 more).

Heads up: the disc-drive models (standard PS5) are spared for now. But don’t celebrate too soon — the geopolitical situation is still a wild card. If component costs rise further, don’t rule out a fourth price 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 storage (way faster than external USB drives), Sony slammed the brakes. The company has suspended sales of these cards with no warning, and worse — there’s no estimated return date. If you head to the PlayStation Store or any official retailer right now, you’ll see “out of stock” or straight-up “product not available.”

Official reason? Logistics issues with memory controllers — something we’ve seen from other manufacturers before. But many of us suspect there’s also an attempt to push users toward Sony’s own official internal SSD drives, which cost twice as much as an equivalent CFexpress card. Either way, if you’re one of those still rocking a PlayStation 4 and thinking about jumping to the next generation, know that expanding storage right now is a major headache. And no, adapter tricks don’t always work well.

What should you do if you’re planning to buy a PS5?

My down-to-earth advice: if you can scrape together the cash before April 2, run. Current prices will hold through April 1 inclusive, but after that, you’ll be paying the new rates. I also suggest checking second-hand options or PlayStation Store bundles with 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 price hikes or shortages yet.

Either way, this is just another chapter in the hardware roller coaster. The PlayStation 5 is still an incredible machine, but keeping it happy keeps getting more expensive. The only good news? PlayStation 4 games still run great on the new console, so at least backward compatibility has your back. For everything else, it’s time to tighten your belt and mark your calendar: April 2 is coming, and your wallet has been warned.