Sony's PS5 sales have reached 77 million units, almost matching the PS4's sales at the same point

Sony sold 77.8M PS5s since Nov 2020, nearly matching PS4's sales despite pandemic and supply issues.

: Sony's PlayStation 5 has achieved sales of 77.8 million units, which is just shy of the PlayStation 4's performance at the same point in its sales timeline, having sold 79 million units. The impressive sales numbers come despite major hurdles such as the COVID-19 pandemic, a global chip shortage, and supply chain disruptions. The PS5 faced significant demand challenges, with scalpers and logistical issues making availability scarce until mid-2023. Sony anticipates a decline in sales for the current financial year, estimating sales of 15 million units, partially due to factors like Grand Theft Auto VI's delayed release and price increases in certain regions.

Sony has announced that the PlayStation 5 (PS5) has achieved a significant milestone, with total shipments reaching 77.8 million units as of March 31, 2025. This figure closely mirrors the PlayStation 4's (PS4) performance, which had sold approximately 79 million units at the same point in its lifecycle. The PS5's impressive sales come despite challenges such as the global pandemic and semiconductor shortages that affected its initial launch period.

In the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, Sony shipped 2.8 million PS5 units, a decrease from the 4.5 million units shipped during the same period the previous year. This decline reflects a broader trend of slowing hardware sales, prompting Sony to adjust its projections. For the upcoming fiscal year, the company anticipates shipping 15 million PS5 units, down from 18.5 million in the previous year.

Despite the slowdown in hardware sales, Sony's gaming division continues to perform well, bolstered by strong software sales and increased engagement on the PlayStation Network. The number of monthly active users on the network has risen to 124 million, up from 118 million the previous year. Additionally, combined software sales for PS5 and PS4 reached 76.1 million units in the last quarter, indicating sustained interest in Sony's gaming ecosystem.

However, Sony faces potential challenges ahead, including the impact of U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made goods. The company is considering strategies such as relocating manufacturing to the United States and adjusting product pricing to mitigate these effects. These measures aim to preserve profitability while navigating the complexities of international trade policies.

In summary, the PS5's sales trajectory remains strong, nearly matching the PS4's performance at a comparable stage. While hardware sales have experienced a slight decline, Sony's robust software offerings and growing online user base position the company well for continued success in the gaming industry.

Sources: TechSpot, NotebookCheck, Reuters, The Verge, WSJ