One of the most worrying projections in 2025 is how the Sony PlayStation 5 or PS5 (and the Pro) consoles could cost up to $1,000 in the US with President Donald Trump’s tariffs in place. Sony, on the other hand, is already exercising its foresight on the matter with a pre-emptive solution and strategy.
Sony revealed its strategy during its Q3 2024 Fiscal Year call, with all the executives present during the report. For now, the company expects the potential impact of the Trump import tariffs to be minimal. As much as possible, Sony wants to avoid raising prices for the PS5. However, Sony will still remain flexible and reactive in the event that the PS5 becomes affected.
With that in mind, Sony’s executives have laid out their various plans to combat the tariffs. The most notable of these plans involves duplicating the console supply chains. Additionally, Sony will be increasing the stockpile of PlayStation and its peripherals in the US. In other words, if the PS5 doesn’t need to be imported to the US, it won’t be affected by a price increase caused by the import tariff.
On top of increasing the US inventory, Sony is also planning to increase PS5 production in Japan itself, specifically for the US customers since Trump’s tariffs mostly target import goods produced in China.
Previously, we reported that a study concluded that Trump’s impending tariffs could increase the PS5 Pro’s price to $980 or make that $1,000 (store or vendor tax and whatnot). Meanwhile, the regular PS5 Pro could cost as much as $800. Still, Sony’s stockpiling plan could very well insulate the PS5 from such a price increase in the US market.
Will the Stockpiles Last, Though?
There is one factor to consider for 2025, however, which is GTA 6. GTA 6 is expected to boost console sales in a rather steep trend once it releases, just as GTA 5 did. If we’re optimistic, GTA 6 could come out in September, which would give Sony just a few more months to stockpile the PS5.
Then, once the game comes out, we might see another buying frenzy for the PS5. At the very least, the US stock could become depleted rather quickly, which could then necessitate imports once again. The hope is that Sony finds a solution for manufacturing the PlayStation within Japan before the US stockpile runs out. Otherwise, US console gamers might have no choice but to bite the bullet on $800-$1000 PS5 units, in case Trump’s tariffs follow through.
