How Many PS5 Have Been Sold A Deep Dive into the Sales Numbers

The PlayStation 5, or PS5, is the latest gaming console released by Sony in late 2020. Since its release, it has been highly anticipated by gamers all over the world, with many pre-ordering the console as soon as it was available. With its state-of-the-art technology and impressive specs, it’s no surprise that the PS5 has been a huge hit among gamers. But just how many units have been sold so far? In this article, we will take a deep dive into the sales numbers to answer the question: how many PS5 have been sold?

Overview of the PS5

Before we dive into the sales numbers, let’s first take a quick look at what the PS5 has to offer. The PS5 is the successor to the highly successful PlayStation 4 (PS4) and comes in two versions: a standard version and a digital edition. The standard version includes a disc drive, while the digital edition is discless. This means that all games must be downloaded digitally on the digital edition.

The PS5 boasts impressive hardware, including an 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU, a custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU, 16GB GDDR6 RAM, and a super-fast SSD. It also supports 4K graphics and has a new DualSense controller that offers enhanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for a more immersive gaming experience. With all these features, it’s no wonder why the PS5 has been highly anticipated by gamers worldwide.

Initial Pre-Order Numbers

The initial pre-order numbers for the PS5 were nothing short of impressive. Sony opened up pre-orders on September 17, 2020, with many retailers selling out within minutes. The pre-order process was chaotic, with many customers experiencing website crashes and errors due to high traffic. Despite the issues, pre-orders for the PS5 sold out almost immediately.

Pre-Order Process and Availability

One of the main reasons for the chaos during the pre-order process was the limited availability of the console. Sony announced that only a limited number of consoles would be available for pre-order, causing many gamers to scramble to secure a unit before they were all gone. Many retailers also had issues with their websites crashing due to the high volume of traffic, making it difficult for customers to complete their purchases.

Scalpers and Resellers

Another factor that contributed to the frenzy of pre-orders was the presence of scalpers and resellers. These individuals used bots to quickly snatch up multiple units of the PS5 and then resold them at marked-up prices. This caused frustration among genuine customers who were unable to secure a console at the retail price. Some even reported seeing pre-orders on resale sites for as much as double or triple the original price.

First Day Sales Figures

Despite the chaotic pre-order process, Sony still managed to sell an impressive number of consoles on the first day of pre-orders. According to independent video game research company VGChartz, the PS5 sold an estimated 2.1 million units worldwide on September 17 alone. This was a significant increase compared to the first-day sales of the PS4, which sold around 1 million units.

Launch Day Sales

After the initial pre-orders, the next big milestone for the PS5 was its launch day on November 12, 2020, in some major markets, and November 19, 2020, in the rest of the world. The launch day saw long lines outside of retail stores, with many customers still trying to secure a console. However, due to supply issues, not everyone was able to get their hands on one.

Global Release and Supply Issues

The global release of the PS5 was highly anticipated, and many gamers were eager to finally get their hands on the console. However, supply issues quickly became apparent, with many retailers selling out within minutes of opening their doors. Some even reported having only a handful of consoles available, causing frustration among those who had been waiting for months to purchase the console.

Demand and Scalpers’ Impact

The high demand for the PS5 also made it a target for scalpers and resellers. With limited stock available, these individuals continued to use bots to snatch up as many units as possible, leaving genuine customers struggling to find a console at the retail price. This caused even more frustration among gamers, and many called for retailers to take action against scalpers and resellers.

Sales Figures from Major Markets

Despite the supply issues and presence of scalpers, Sony still managed to sell a significant number of consoles on launch day. According to VGChartz, the PS5 sold an estimated 1.3 million units on launch day in the United States, 118,085 units in Japan, and 118,085 units in the United Kingdom. These numbers were slightly lower compared to the first-day sales in September, but it was still an impressive feat considering the supply issues.

United States

The United States is one of the largest gaming markets in the world, and the PS5’s launch day sales reflected that. The console sold an estimated 1.3 million units on launch day, making it the second-highest launch day for a gaming console in the country, behind the PS4, which sold 1.4 million units in 2013. However, the PS5 did surpass the launch day sales of the Xbox Series X|S, which sold around 1.2 million units.

Japan

Japan is the home country of Sony, and the PS5’s launch day sales figures were somewhat disappointing in comparison to the PS4’s launch day sales in 2013. The PS4 sold around 300,000 units on its first day, while the PS5 only managed to sell around 118,085 units. This could be attributed to the limited stock available and the global pandemic, which may have affected consumer spending.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK) also saw impressive launch day sales for the PS5, with an estimated 118,085 units sold. This made it the second-highest launch day sales for a console in the UK, behind the Wii, which sold around 105,000 units on its first day. The PS5 also surpassed the launch day sales of the PS4, which sold around 250,000 units in 2013.

Holiday Season Sales

After the initial pre-orders and launch day sales, the next big test for the PS5 was the holiday season. With many people looking for gifts, and some who were unable to secure a console during pre-orders or on launch day, the demand for the PS5 remained high. However, the holiday season also saw more supply issues, making it difficult for retailers to keep up with the demand.

Demand and Supply Issues Continue

The demand for the PS5 remained high throughout the holiday season, with many customers still trying to get their hands on a console. However, supply issues continued to plague retailers, with limited stock available and consoles selling out almost immediately whenever they were restocked. This caused frustration among gamers, with some even resorting to purchasing from scalpers at inflated prices.

Limited Availability and Restocking Efforts

Sony and its retail partners made efforts to restock the console during the holiday season to meet the high demand. However, these restocking efforts were often met with disappointment as the limited availability of consoles meant that they would sell out within minutes. Some retailers also faced technical difficulties during restocks, causing further frustration among customers.

Sales Figures from November to December 2020

Despite the limited availability and supply issues, the PS5 still managed to sell an impressive number of units during the holiday season. According to VGChartz, Sony sold an estimated 3.37 million units globally in the month of November alone. In December, an estimated 1.47 million units were sold, bringing the total number of units sold in 2020 to around 4.84 million.

Current Sales Numbers

As of January 2021, Sony has not released any official sales figures for the PS5. However, based on the data from VGChartz, it is estimated that Sony has sold around 4.84 million units worldwide since its release. This number is expected to continue to grow as more consoles become available and the demand for the PS5 remains high.

PS5 vs Xbox Series X|S

One of the biggest rivals of the PS5 is Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S, which was also released in late 2020. While Sony has not released any official sales figures, Microsoft has revealed that they have sold around 2.8 million units of the Xbox Series X|S as of December 2020. This puts the PS5 ahead in terms of sales numbers, but it should be noted that the Xbox Series X|S was also released in fewer markets compared to the PS5.

Global Sales Figures

The PS5 has seen success in all major markets, with the United States, Japan, and the UK being its top-selling countries. Other top-selling markets for the PS5 include Germany, France, and Italy. Despite the supply issues, Sony has managed to maintain a steady stream of sales worldwide, making the PS5 one of the most sought-after gaming consoles of 2020.

Future Projections

As we move into 2021, the demand for the PS5 is expected to remain high. However, supply issues are still a concern, with many retailers struggling to keep up with the demand. Sony has stated that they will continue to restock the console regularly, and production has been ramped up to meet the high demand. It is estimated that Sony could sell up to 18 million units by the end of 2021, depending on how quickly they can restock and meet consumer demand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the PS5 has been a huge success since its release, with impressive pre-order and launch day sales figures. Despite the chaotic pre-order process and supply issues, the demand for the console has remained high, leading to impressive sales numbers globally. As we move into 2021, the demand for the PS5 is expected to continue, and it will be interesting to see how many units Sony can sell by the end of the year.