This month’s news of a second round of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration is expected to increase the costs American consumers pay for electronics, with import and export fees ranging from 10% to 50% depending on the country.
Months ago, these tariffs were reported to have an expected impact on consumer prices. The Wall Street Journal in April predicted that video game consoles, laptops, tablets and computer accessories were at significant risk of price increases that could range from 20 to 70%, based on an assumption of 25% tariffs.
Now, as the on-again, off-again threat of tariffs rears its head yet again, consumers are looking at what products will soon experience cost increases. Mashable spoke to experts who said prices will initially go up 5-10% for a number of products.
Prices are expected to increase on products like drones, car parts, clothing and furniture, some of which are already increasing in price, while consumer technology products may jump 20% in the coming months. That’s a significant enough hike that one expert recommended people in the market for new smartphones, computers, drones or video game consoles make purchases now before higher prices kick in.
For gamers and their loved ones who might be shopping for holiday gifts, time has already run out. In May, NBC reported Microsoft announced price hikes ranging from $80 to $100 for its Xbox video game consoles, which used to range from $300 to $500 and now cost between $380 to $600.
Accessories for the console also leapt in price after tariffs were announced and Microsoft plans to increase the price of some games from the standard rate of $60-70 to $80 beginning in the fall.
Microsoft was not alone, as gaming giant Nintendo announced price hikes for its consoles as well – including products that have been on the market for eight years, The Verge reported. For the first time since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch costs $339, up from $299, while an upgraded model saw its cost leap from $350 to $400 and a downgraded model from $199 to $229. The company said prices for its Switch 2 may also increase in the future.
Whatever direction prices go, there’s one way that seems more likely than others. Inflation rose in June 2025, up from another increase seen in May, according to Yahoo Finance.
