The PlayStation 5, which is approaching its third anniversary, is currently experiencing a surge in sales unlike any seen before due in part to its limited availability during the first two years. The latest console from PlayStation has been widely available in the first quarter of 2023, leading to a new sales record for any single quarter of any platform creator.
According to Sony’s consolidated financial results, the PS5 sold a staggering 6.3 million units in the first quarter of this year, which is a remarkable feat that even outshines the previous record-holder, the PS4. As the PS4 had already sold over 100 million units before the PS5’s launch, the sales of the new console are naturally being compared to its predecessor.
Sony have done it. PlayStation 5 has had the Biggest Q1 for ANY console in HISTORY shipping 6.3 Million Units!
Incredible achievement pic.twitter.com/DSIMevT6Hf
— Benji-Sales (@BenjiSales) April 28, 2023
Interestingly, the PS5 has managed to more than double the PS4’s best quarter, which sold three million consoles. Despite this remarkable feat, the PS4 still holds an advantage over its successor, having sold 40 million units in the same timeframe. However, this is largely due to the supply constraints the PS5 faced in its early days. Currently, the PS5 has sold 38.3 million units, surpassing the Mega Drive and N64 and ranking among the top 20 best-selling consoles of all time.
As the PS5 continues to break sales records and surpass the pace of the PS4, it is likely that it will surpass its predecessor’s sales figures. The PS4 sits comfortably in the top five best-selling consoles of all time, with over 117 million units sold, outranked only by the PS2. The future holds the key to whether the PS5 will surpass the PS4’s sales record and claim the title of one of the best-selling consoles of all time.
The PS5 has been setting sales records and finally becoming more widely available after more than two years of shortages, and it seems that PlayStation is already considering a mid-gen upgrade. Rumors have been circulating about a new version that may feature a detachable disc drive, and these rumors were given weight this week when Sony filed a patent that appears to relate to this feature.
There has also been talking of a potential PS5 Slim, as a listing for this product mysteriously appeared on an Australian retail site last month. It remains to be seen whether these rumors will come to fruition, but it is clear that PlayStation is not slowing down anytime soon.
