Tag: Price Increase

  • Price of 7-Year-Old Sony Game Doubles Unexpectedly

    Price of 7-Year-Old Sony Game Doubles Unexpectedly

    The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to launch with a starting price of $700. If you want the complete package, which includes the drive and stand, the cost can rise to $850. While Sony describes the console as a "complete package for dedicated gamers," many fans consider the price to be too high. This has led to a perception that the company is making another mistake.

    Horizon: Zero Dawn’s Price Increase

    Horizon: Zero Dawn is an open-world action role-playing game where players take on the role of Aloy, a hunter navigating a post-apocalyptic world filled with machine creatures. Originally released for the PlayStation 4 in 2017, it later joined the "PlayStation Hit" list, which features popular titles at a lower price of $20. However, the price has now been raised to $40 without any prior announcement. The increase seems to coincide with the upcoming release of the Horizon: Zero Dawn Remaster.

    Starting October 31, 2024, anyone who already owns the game can upgrade to the remastered version for just $10. By raising the price now, Sony appears to be trying to deter players from buying the less expensive version and then upgrading later. With the current game priced at $40 and the upgrade costing $10, the total comes to $50, which is the same as the price for the remastered version. This means that early buyers will not benefit from any cost savings.

    Mixed Reactions on Reddit

    On Reddit, opinions about this pricing strategy are mixed. Some users express understanding, suggesting that Sony’s approach is reasonable:

    […] Anyone could buy the game for $20, get the upgrade for $10, and end up with a PS5 version. They would essentially lose $20 to anyone with basic brain cells. EVERY company would do that, so why is anyone surprised?

    It’s important to note that Sony offered the game for free during the pandemic as part of the "Play at Home" initiative, which means many players may already have it on their consoles. However, critics argue that Sony is engaging in price gouging and unnecessary remastering, especially considering the game is only seven years old and still runs well on current systems.

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  • Xiaomi 15 Series Price Leaked, Expected from 4,599 Yuan ($650)

    Xiaomi 15 Series Price Leaked, Expected from 4,599 Yuan ($650)

    Xiaomi is rumored to be launching the Xiaomi 15 series, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip, in the last week of October. The predecessor, the Xiaomi 14 series, debuted with a starting price of 3,999 Yuan (around $565). It’s speculated that the new series will be at least 500 Yuan more expensive. A fresh leak from CNMO indicates the starting prices for the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro models.

    Expected Pricing for the Xiaomi 15 Series

    According to a tech blogger cited by the publication, the Xiaomi 15 is expected to be priced at 4,599 Yuan (approximately $650), and the 15 Pro at 5,499 Yuan (around $775). The increase in price is attributed to the rising costs of chipsets and storage, prompting smartphone makers to revise their pricing strategies. Remarks by Xiaomi’s founder and chairman, Lei Jun, during the Xiaomi 14 launch event, also suggested that the Xiaomi 15 series would surpass the previous starting price of 3,999 Yuan.

    Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will utilize TSMC‘s advanced N3E process, significantly inflating manufacturing costs. The cost of this chip is estimated to be 25 to 30 percent higher than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, ranging from $190 to $200. This surge in chip cost is expected to influence the overall pricing of the Xiaomi 15 series.

    Technical Specifications and Features

    Leaks suggest that the Xiaomi 15 series will feature substantial upgrades, including large primary sensors, telephoto macro, ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanners, glass bodies, silicon anode batteries, rapid wireless charging, and IP68-rated dust and water resistance. The standard Xiaomi 15 will sport a 1.5K resolution flat screen, focusing on a compact, portable design. In contrast, the Xiaomi 15 Pro will retain a 2K resolution new base material fully equal-depth micro-curved screen with slimmer bezels.

    Imaging System Enhancements

    The standard version of the Xiaomi 15 is expected to come with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 50-megapixel telephoto lens. The Xiaomi 15 Pro’s imaging system will be even more advanced, featuring a 50-megapixel main camera with a larger lens, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens.

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