The GPU market is finally giving buyers some relief — at least in Japan. AMD‘s Radeon RX 9000 series, which saw prices inflate by 30–40% between late 2025 and January 2026, is now retreating sharply. The RX 9070 XT has dropped nearly 22% since its January peak, with the average price now back to levels last seen in November 2025. And at retailer Ark PC’s Spring Sale, one variant dipped under ¥100,000 — below even pre-spike pricing.
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AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series Price Movement in Japan (Gazlog Data)
| GPU | November 2025 Avg | January 2026 Peak | Current Average | Drop From Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 9070 XT | ~¥105,000 (~$660) | ¥144,000 (~$876) | ¥109,000 (~$682) | ~22% |
| RX 9070 XT (Ark PC sale) | — | — | ¥99,800 (~$632) | — |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | — | ¥87,000 (~$562) | ¥71,000 (~$458) | ~18% |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB (Ark PC) | — | — | ¥59,800 (~$379) | — |
What Caused the Spike — and Why It’s Reversing
The price surge wasn’t random. A global GDDR6 and DDR5 memory shortage — dubbed the “RAMpocalypse” — drove up component costs for virtually all GPU makers. At the same time, tight NVIDIA RTX 50 Series supply pushed gamers toward AMD alternatives, creating a demand spike on top of an already constrained supply chain. The result: RX 9070 XT prices in Japan climbed nearly 40% in the space of six weeks.
The correction came when buyers simply stopped purchasing. Japan saw a sudden drop in GPU sales due to the price hikes, forcing AMD and retailers to slash prices to clear stagnant inventory. It’s a textbook demand-destruction cycle — and one that buyers who waited have now benefited from considerably.
The RX 9070 XT launched at $599 MSRP in early 2025. It’s still above that in most markets, but the current Japanese average of ~$682 is a significant improvement from the $876 peak in January.
AMD vs NVIDIA: A Striking Divergence
While AMD prices are normalising, the RTX 50 Series has not followed the same path. The RTX 50 series cards didn’t see much relief, and the mid-range and budget cards saw a price rise instead.
This creates an interesting dynamic for buyers right now. The RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 represent strong value-per-frame propositions in the $450–700 range, and with prices continuing to ease, the case for AMD RDNA 4 over similarly-priced RTX 50 cards is getting stronger by the week — especially for buyers who don’t have specific DLSS 4.5 or path tracing requirements.
Should Indian Buyers Pay Attention?
Japan’s GPU market is watched closely because prices move quickly and transparently — it’s often a leading indicator for global market direction. If Japanese retail is discounting this aggressively, global markets including India are likely to see similar softening in the coming weeks.
That said, India’s GPU import pricing, currency exchange, and distributor margins mean the benefit won’t be 1:1. For Indian buyers eyeing the RX 9070 XT, it’s worth watching the next 4–6 weeks before pulling the trigger.
For the latest GPU pricing updates and buying advice, check our graphics card coverage on Technosports. And for the best GPU to buy in India right now at every budget, see our GPU buying guide on Technosports.
FAQs
By how much has the AMD RX 9070 XT price dropped in Japan?
It has dropped approximately 22% from its January 2026 peak of ¥144,000 (~$876) to around ¥109,000 (~$682), with some Spring Sale listings going under ¥100,000.
Why did AMD RX 9000 series prices spike and then fall?
A global GDDR6 memory shortage pushed prices up 30–40% between late 2025 and January 2026. When buyers stopped purchasing at inflated prices, demand collapsed and retailers cut prices to move inventory.
