The PlayStation 5 is expected to be released as planned in late 2020. However, the number of available consoles might initially be lower and the price higher than that of its predecessor, the PS4.
Where does this information come from? The website Bloomberg reports that Sony is supposedly planning a limited production run of the PS5 for the period between its release in late 2020 and March 31, 2021.
It is expected that 5 to 6 million consoles will be produced by then, as Sony has apparently informed partner companies. For comparison: The PS4 was sold 7.5 million times during this period.
The price of the console is also expected to be higher than many anticipated. While first retailers are accepting pre-orders for around $400, Bloomberg suggests the console could be priced between $499 and $549. Many of you might even be willing to pay that much for a new console.
Expensive hardware and fewer buyers due to Corona?
Why do the infos sound plausible? According to Bloomberg, the hardware of the PS5 is said to be expensive. The increased price is intended to ensure that the console is still profitable for Sony. This discussion occurred early in 2020 when an insider stated that the PS5 would not cost $400 like its predecessor, but significantly more.
The lower production run may stem from several issues arising from the coronavirus:
- The production itself is taking place under difficult conditions. Companies in China were shut down for a while, and now many Sony employees worldwide are working from home.
- The number of launch titles for the new console may be lower because developers are also affected by the restrictions due to Corona.
- Many people are facing financial losses due to the virus, especially freelancers and employees of smaller companies.
It is quite possible that there will be fewer interested parties for the PS5 in 2020 than there were in 2013 at the launch of the PS4.
A delay is reportedly not planned: Bloomberg reports in the article that although there have been cuts in marketing, Sony still aims for a release during the Christmas season of 2020.
Whether the demand for the console will ultimately be greater remains to be seen at the release. It might still be helpful to pre-order the console if you really want it.
