Middle Eastern conflict ignites key chip raw materials, PS5 series consoles' prices soar.

People’s Finance Network, March 30—According to reports from U.S. media, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced recently that it would raise the prices of its PS5 console series. This is the company’s second price adjustment in less than a year. The reports say that in the U.S. market, the disc-drive version of the PS5 console will be increased by $100 from $549.99 to $649.99 (about RMB 4498); the digital edition price is also raised by $100 to $599.99 (about RMB 4152). Sony’s most powerful PS5 Pro model is also increased by $150, with the price rising to $899.99 (about RMB 6228). Sony said that price adjustments of varying degrees were also made in markets including China, Japan, and Europe. Some analysts noted that due to rising memory prices, this increase was unavoidable.

In addition, the Associated Press reported that although Sony did not explicitly mention the specific reasons for the price increase, earlier an Iranian attack on Qatar’s natural gas export facilities had threatened the supply of helium—a key input for computer chip production—by forcing the facilities to shut down. According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, Qatar supplies one-third of the world’s helium. QatarEnergy previously said that the shutdown of the facilities would reduce the country’s helium export volume by 14%. Analysts said that a reduction in helium supply will push up its price, and if the fighting continues for several months or even longer, the magnitude of the price increase may further expand. (CCTV Finance)