Black Friday 2026 may not offer extra-huge discounts on consoles — here’s why
Big-ticket console deals could be thinner in Black Friday 2026 than many expect, as storage-driven costs limit how far platform holders and retailers can cut standalone console prices.
The SSD squeeze is the spoiler
Sony has spent the generation optimizing around fast NVMe storage, and for good reason: games rely on high throughput. But SSDs are now the biggest swing factor in the bill of materials. After a period of oversupply and now huge demand from AI data centers, NAND producers tightened output and repriced contracts; channel checks in recent weeks point to sharp jumps, with some segments seeing increases approaching 30–40%. That kind of move ripples straight into landed console costs.
Sony’s original PlayStation 5 Model launched with a custom 825GB SSD, and the slim revision moved to 1TB. Even with careful engineering and long-term procurement, the storage line item is rising. When a single component eats more budget, subsidy pools for doorbuster discounts shrink. The result isn’t “no deals,” but fewer jaw-dropping tags and more modest bundle-based savings.
Tariffs, a strong dollar, and thinner margins
The second headwind is macro. Consoles are global products priced off dollar-denominated supply chains. A firm USD lifts import costs for distributors in Europe and India, and elevated shipping and insurance still haven’t fully reverted to pre-2020 norms. Add country-specific taxes and duties—such as basic customs duties plus VAT/GST in markets like India—and the cushion for aggressive markdowns gets slimmer.
When the base unit’s landed cost rises because of currency and tariff effects, that means less discount. Most we Expect from Sony is Days of Play type MSRPs on consoles, selective rebates, and bundles that protect perceived value rather than deep cuts on standalone consoles.
What will still get hugely discounted: games and gear
Here’s the good news: PS5 Games and accessories like controllers should still see big slashes. Publishers depend on velocity during the holiday window, and back-catalog titles, deluxe editions, and seasonal hits routinely drop 40–80%—especially digitally, where inventory risk is near zero. Accessories carry healthier margins and flexible pricing, so look for strong promotions on controllers, headsets, charging docks and even VR bundles. Subscription deals (PlayStation Plus, Game Pass, EA Play) also tend to resurface with meaningful introductory offers.
Bottom line: Black Friday 2026 will likely favor value-packed bundles and strong deals on games and peripherals, while the consoles themselves see smaller, more targeted markdowns. If a console is on the list, watch for retailer-exclusive bundles and credit offers; if the goal is to build a library and kit out a setup, the savings should be excellent. Cross-check our full Shop for any bundle or limited-time promos
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