PS Plus Price Increase Hits Hong Kong and Taiwan First – Is the U.S. Next?

Sony has announced another round of PlayStation Plus price increases, this time targeting the Hong Kong and Taiwan regions. Starting from April 16, 2025, new subscribers and users who modify their membership plans will be charged according to the updated pricing. For current subscribers, the new prices will automatically apply starting from June 24, 2025, upon their next renewal.

 

Although this round of adjustments is region-specific, it may foreshadow similar moves in other markets, including the United States, which already experienced significant PS Plus price increases in late 2023.

 

 

What Are the New Prices?

 

PlayStation Plus still offers three subscription tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. In Hong Kong, the Premium annual plan has now reached 1000 HKD. In Taiwan, the equivalent cost is 4078 TWD for one year of the same tier. The Essential and Extra tiers also saw similar increases across monthly, quarterly, and annual plans.

 

These numbers represent a clear upward shift in subscription costs, breaking psychological pricing barriers in both regions. This follows the trend set back in September 2023, when Sony increased the U.S. annual rates to 79.99 dollars for Essential, 134.99 dollars for Extra, and 159.99 dollars for Premium.

 

 

Why Is Sony Raising Prices Again?

 

According to Sony, the changes are due to several global factors. High inflation, currency fluctuations, and rising operational costs have made it more expensive to maintain and deliver high-quality services. Sony says the price increase is necessary to continue investing in content, expand the game catalog, and maintain platform quality.

 

Players may find this explanation reasonable in theory, but in practice, not everyone is convinced. While the catalog of downloadable and cloud-based games has grown, some users are frustrated by the rotating availability of titles, inconsistent regional access to cloud streaming, and a lack of consistent value in monthly free games.

 

 

Should You Still Subscribe to PS Plus?

 

The answer depends entirely on how you play.

 

If you primarily enjoy single-player games and don’t need online multiplayer, the Essential tier might not be worth the rising cost. On the other hand, if you regularly engage in multiplayer sessions in games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, EA Sports FC, or Apex Legends, then PS Plus remains a required and essential service.

 

Players who want access to a large and regularly updated catalog of downloadable games may find real value in the Extra tier. Meanwhile, Premium subscribers get access to time-limited trials of full games and a retro library of PlayStation classics from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras.

 

While the service is clearly more expensive than it once was, it still offers strong value for players who make full use of its features. However, those who only use it for online multiplayer may now be more sensitive to both price and performance.

 

 

Rising Costs, Same Lag? It's Time to Optimize

 

For many PlayStation gamers, especially in regions with unstable internet infrastructure or when connecting to international servers, price isn’t the only issue. Lag, disconnections, and high ping continue to be major concerns. With PS Plus now demanding more from your wallet, your connection should deliver more in return.

 

GearUP Booster – Designed for PlayStation Online Stability

 

GearUP Booster is not just a PC game VPN. It is fully compatible with PlayStation consoles through your home network. Once configured through your router, it works behind the scenes to ensure that your PS4 or PS5 connects through the most stable, lowest-latency path possible.

 

By leveraging a smart routing system, GearUP Booster helps bypass congested ISP routes, reduce packet loss, and improve ping across a wide range of online multiplayer titles. It supports thousands of games and is especially effective when connecting to cross-region servers, such as U.S. players accessing Japanese or European servers.

 

Setup is straightforward, and no technical expertise is needed. If you're tired of dropped matches and lag spikes, this is a powerful solution that integrates seamlessly into your existing network.

 

 

HYPEREV – Powered by GearUP, Built for Console Players

 

If you prefer a dedicated hardware solution, HYPEREV is a gaming router specifically built for console gamers and powered by GearUP Booster technology. It provides all the benefits of smart game acceleration in a plug-and-play form.

 

With HYPEREV, your console traffic is prioritized automatically, reducing latency and avoiding interference from other devices on your home network. It offers optimized routes to game servers globally, intelligent ping stabilization, and an extremely simple setup process. Scan a QR code, connect your PlayStation console, and you’re ready to play.

 

Unlike traditional gaming routers that require complicated manual configuration, HYPEREV focuses on simplicity and performance. It’s ideal for players who want low-ping, interruption-free gaming without dealing with technical complexity.

 

 

 

In Summary

 

PS Plus prices are on the rise again, starting with Hong Kong and Taiwan. While U.S. users are not affected by this new adjustment yet, the global trend suggests that further increases could be on the horizon.