Since its November 2020 release, PlayStation 5 consoles have been extremely difficult to find, but Sony has a (widely-criticized) answer: continuing production of its PlayStation 4.
Sony planned to discontinue production of the PS4 at the end of 2021, but limited availability of the PS5 due to supply chain constraints and the semiconductor shortage has forced the Tokyo-based company to change course.
- The PS5 has sold 13.4 million units globally since its release, making it the fastest-selling console in Sony’s history, despite the shortage.
- Sony lowered its full-year production forecast for the PS5 to 15 million units by March 2022, down from 16 million.
- The company previously had a target of 22.6 million PS5 units sold in the next fiscal year.
Rival Takes Different Approach
Microsoft is no longer manufacturing any versions of the Xbox One to focus on the production of its Xbox Series X|S consoles, which also hit the market in November 2020.
The Washington state-based company doesn’t disclose exact hardware sales figures but estimates suggest that over 12 million Xbox Series X|S consoles have been sold.
On Monday, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer told The New York Times the consoles were Microsoft’s fastest-selling ever.
