(UTV | COVID-19) – Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PlayStation 5 will reportedly launch later this year in a reduced capacity compared to the PS4’s launch reports Bloomberg.
The outlet claims Sony has apparently spoken to its manufacturing partners and say they will limit themselves to a smaller initial production run of “5-6 million units [of the PS5] in the fiscal year ending March 2021”. Compare that to the 7.5 million units the PS4 sold in its first two quarters alone.
Citing multiple sources within Sony, the article suggests the PS5 price could be higher than expected (ie. $499 or over) at launch as a result of its high-end specs and limited stock with the company reportedly struggling with its price-setting decision for the PS5 because of scarce components.
PlayStation’s marketing plans for the PS5 have also been impacted with Sony’s original plans for a grand PS5 reveal event likey ditched “due to infection fears” and current lockdown measures in place.
Damian Thong, an analyst at Macquarie Capital, says: “I think both the PS5 and Xbox Series X may end up at US$450 even though they would lose money at that price.” Both consoles are said to be comparable in costs to produce.
Mass-production of the PlayStation 5 is expected to begin in June ahead of the machine’s launch sometime later this year simultaneously around the globe.