Sophos increases prices for XGS hardware and associated subscriptions
Sophos has informed its partners by email of a global price increase. From July 1, 2026, a flat-rate increase of 10% will apply to XGS hardware and the associated subscriptions. Virtual appliances and software-only subscriptions are not affected.
What will be more expensive
The increase of +10 % affects the following product groups:
- Sophos XGS hardware appliances and accessories
- Bundles with XGS hardware and subscriptions
- Sophos Firewall term and MSP subscriptions for XGS hardware (new purchase and renewal)
- Promotional bundles for XGS desktop appliances (North America only)
Sophos distributes the 10% proportionally between the hardware and the associated subscriptions so that the existing relationship between device and license is maintained. In practice, this means that both the hardware and the licenses sold with it will become more expensive – not just one of the two.
What will not become more expensive
Anyone running a virtual Sophos Firewall or a software-only subscription is not affected by this adjustment. This means that the license adjustment for virtual and software versions introduced a year ago remains unchanged. This is a clear signal: Sophos is tightening the screw where its own hardware costs have risen and is leaving the software world out of the equation.
Explanation from Sophos
The official reasoning follows the current situation on the semiconductor market: the global supply chains for DRAM and NAND flash are under pressure because the demand for AI infrastructure is rising sharply. Manufacturers are shifting production capacities from traditional DDR4/DDR5 to high bandwidth memory (HBM), which is used in AI accelerators. In addition, there are geopolitical influences on global logistics. Sophos writes that its own stockpiling measures are only partially cushioning the bottlenecks and the increased component costs can no longer be fully compensated for.
The reasoning is understandable and is in line with what we are currently seeing from other hardware manufacturers. Spot prices for DRAM and NAND have been rising for months, and the HBM shift by major memory manufacturers is real. An adjustment in the single-digit to low double-digit range was therefore foreseeable. 10% is at the lower end of what could have been expected at present. Nevertheless, it is of course bitter for all existing customers who are now paying more for the XGS license.
A final thought
Sophos explicitly states in the press release that the situation will continue to be monitored and that further adjustments cannot be ruled out. This indicates that the 10% is not necessarily the end of the line if component prices continue to rise. Anyone planning major hardware purchases would therefore be well advised to initiate procurement now rather than in the second half of the year. However, it should not be forgotten that Sophos can make licenses more expensive at any time. A favorable hardware purchase before the deadline does not mean that the subscriptions will also remain favorable. A separate price adjustment for licenses is possible at any time and has occurred regularly in recent years.
