Sony, Microsoft Console Shortage Could Last Until 2023

Sony and Microsoft may see the shortage for their current generation of consoles extend until 2023, according to Toshiba. 

The makers of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles are experiencing production delays due to the semiconductor shortage plaguing the tech industry. 

Despite the shortage, both company’s new consoles are flying off the shelves. 

• Estimates suggest Microsoft has sold roughly 6.5 million Xbox Series X|S consoles as of June 30, 2021, but the company doesn’t disclose exact hardware sales figures. 
• The PS5 has sold more than 10 million units globally since its November 2020 release, making it the fastest-selling console in Sony’s history. 
• Xbox hardware revenue increased 172% year-over-year during fiscal Q4 2021. Microsoft’s overall gaming category posted $3.7 billion in revenue, up 11% compared to Q4 2020. 
• Sony expects to sell 14.8 million PS5 units in the fiscal year ending in March 2022. 

Despite the success of the Xbox, Microsoft says it has never turned a profit on hardware sales from its consoles. The bombshell was revealed in May during the trial between Epic Games and Apple. 

During an investor presentation the same month, Sony said it expected the PS5 to become profitable in June, when the cost of selling the console was set to drop below its wholesale price.