PS4, Xbox One pre-order prices, launch dates appear

Amazon UK has listed pre-order pricing for both the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4; both are listed at the same price – £599.99 (±R8,915)*. The launch date for the Xbox One is listed as 31 December 2013. No date is given for the Ps4.

Before you start the engine on your Internet hate machine, note that Amazon lists this as a place-holder price.

Please note that there are no official prices announced for Xbox One/PlayStation 4 products. The price stated above is a placeholder. With our Pre-order Price Guarantee, you can order now and if the Amazon.co.uk price decreases between the time you place your order and the release date, you’ll be charged the lowest price.

It’s a bold move by Amazon UK, as they likely anticipate that next-gen consoles will not cost more than this price point. Perhaps they have the inside track on some pricing and availability info not yet revealed.

E3 2013 is just around the corner (11 June) and it is expected that both Microsoft and Sony will reveal more details about their consoles, and everyone is hoping to get some concrete pricing and availability info.

For interest sake, back at launch in December 2005 the “premium” Xbox 360 20GB model was £279.90. Using an inflation calculator, this works out to around £360 in 2013 money (±R5,350).

In March 2007, the PS3 40GB (the 20GB model didn’t make it to the UK) cost £299, which in 2013 money is £385 (±R5,720).

What will you be willing to pay for these next-gen consoles? Let us know in the comments below and on the MyGaming forum.