Since its release in November 2020, the PlayStation 5 has been a staple in homes worldwide, continuing Sony’s legacy of gaming dominance. Now, the latest figures show that Sony has sold a staggering 65.5 million PS5 consoles globally, marking another milestone for the console as it enters its fourth year on the market.
The PlayStation 5 launched with high expectations—and it delivered. The console immediately wowed gamers with its state-of-the-art graphics, the revolutionary DualSense controller, and its overall performance boost compared to the previous generation. Despite a limited library at launch, titles like Astro’s Playroom and Spider-Man: Miles Morales became instant hits, setting the stage for continued success.
PS5 Sales Track with PS4
In a recent update from Sony’s Q2 results for fiscal year 2024, the PlayStation 5 has shipped 65.5 million units, closely mirroring the PlayStation 4’s performance at the same point in its lifecycle (67.7 million). While PS5 sales slightly dipped in Q2 2024—selling 3.8 million consoles, 1.1 million fewer than the same period last year—this is not a cause for concern. The dip is attributed to external factors, including supply chain challenges and overall market conditions.
Despite a minor drop in console sales, Sony is seeing a surge in game sales. A total of 77.7 million PS5 games were sold in Q2, with 5.3 million of these being first-party titles. The shift toward digital games is evident, with 70% of all games sold in Q2 being digital—a sign of the growing preference for downloadable content over physical media.
The Shift Toward Digital and PlayStation Network Growth
Sony has also noted that the number of active monthly users on the PlayStation Network remains stable at 116 million. Although Sony stopped reporting PlayStation Plus subscriber numbers in late 2023, the service continues to be an essential part of PlayStation’s ecosystem, especially for players who enjoy a vast library of classic and current titles.
As for hardware, the PlayStation 5 has expanded with the introduction of the PS5 Pro on November 7, 2024. This upgraded version features a powerful GPU, AI-driven upscaling, and advanced ray tracing capabilities, offering players a visual upgrade with smoother frame rates and more immersive graphics. The PS5 Pro is also backward compatible with over 8,500 PS4 titles, breathing new life into the previous generation’s library. Additionally, it includes PS5 Pro Game Boost, enhancing the experience for these older games, ensuring they look and play better than ever.
The Future of PlayStation
Sony’s impressive sales numbers indicate a continued demand for PlayStation consoles, but the future may hold even more exciting possibilities. Rumors suggest that the PlayStation 6 could make its debut in 2028, though Sony has yet to officially announce any details. For now, Sony’s focus remains on pushing the boundaries of what the PS5 can offer, with the release of the PS5 Pro being a testament to their commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
As PlayStation remains a dominant force in the gaming industry, all eyes will be on Sony’s next moves. Will the PS5 continue to break records, or is the next-generation console already on the horizon? Only time will tell.
https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/er/pdf/24q2_supplement.pdf
