# Console Prices Drop Sales to New Lows

> High console prices push Xbox and PlayStation sales to record lows.
- Title: Console Prices Drop Sales to New Lows · Polygon | Shortify
- Summary: High console prices push Xbox and PlayStation sales to record lows. Xbox and PlayStation hardware sales dropped 33% and 25% year-to-date in August 2026 due…
- Keywords: xbox, playstation, console sales, ai component crisis, ram shortage, circana, console prices, gaming, culture, Console, Prices, Drop
- Source: Polygon — https://polygon.com/game-console-sales-down-ai-component-crisis-ram
- Author: Elijah Gonzalez
- Published: 2026-10-09T17:26:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: xbox, playstation, console sales, ai component crisis, ram shortage, circana, console prices, gaming, culture
## Xbox Sales Drop 33%
Xbox hardware sales fell 33% year-to-date in August 2026 compared to 2025.
## PlayStation Sales Drop 25%
PlayStation hardware sales dropped 25% year-to-date in August 2026 compared to 2025.
## Console Prices Surge
Xbox Series X now costs $799.99, up $300 from launch, while PS5 sold for $597, up 20%.
## AI Component Shortage
RAM shortages from AI data centers have driven up console prices since 2025.
## Sales at All-Time Lows
Xbox sales hit lowest August since 2020, PlayStation lowest since 2013.
## Key takeaway

Xbox and PlayStation hardware sales dropped 33% and 25% year-to-date in August 2026 due to AI component shortages.