{"id":3511,"date":"2026-05-09T10:04:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T07:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/?p=3511"},"modified":"2026-05-09T10:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T07:05:13","slug":"ps5-total-sales-93-7-million-worst-quarter-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/ps5-total-sales-93-7-million-worst-quarter-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"PS5 Total Sales Hit 93.7 Million as Sony Reports Its Worst Quarter Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sony&#8217;s latest financial report reveals PS5 lifetime sales have reached 93.7 million units, but the January-March 2026 quarter saw just 1.5 million shipments, the lowest in the console&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PlayStation 5 has shipped 93.7 million units worldwide as of March 31, 2026. Sony confirmed the figure in its FY2025 financial results published on May 8, 2026, alongside a troubling milestone: the console&#8217;s worst quarter since launch, with just 1.5 million units shipped between January and March 2026. That number is lower than any previous quarter in PS5 history, including the supply-constrained early months of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Bad Was Q4 FY2025 for PlayStation 5?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 1.5 million units shipped in Q4 FY2025 (January to March 2026) represent a sharp drop from 2.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier, a decline of roughly 46 percent. Until now, PS5 quarterly shipments had never fallen below 2 million units. This single quarter dragged down the full fiscal year total to approximately 16 million units, compared to 18.5 million in FY2024 and the peak of 20.8 million in FY2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decline is especially notable because it occurred before Sony&#8217;s global price increase took effect on April 2, 2026. The PS5 Slim jumped from $549.99 to $649.99, the Digital Edition from $499.99 to $599.99, and the PS5 Pro from $749.99 to $899.99. If demand was already softening before the price hike, the post-increase outlook for hardware sales is uncertain at best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quarter-by-Quarter PS5 Sales Breakdown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Fiscal Year<\/th><th>Q1 (Apr-Jun)<\/th><th>Q2 (Jul-Sep)<\/th><th>Q3 (Oct-Dec)<\/th><th>Q4 (Jan-Mar)<\/th><th>Full Year<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>FY2020<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>4.5M<\/td><td>3.3M<\/td><td>7.8M<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FY2021<\/td><td>2.3M<\/td><td>3.3M<\/td><td>3.9M<\/td><td>2.0M<\/td><td>11.5M<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FY2022<\/td><td>2.4M<\/td><td>3.3M<\/td><td>7.1M<\/td><td>6.3M<\/td><td>19.1M<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FY2023<\/td><td>3.3M<\/td><td>4.9M<\/td><td>8.2M<\/td><td>4.5M<\/td><td>20.8M<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FY2024<\/td><td>2.4M<\/td><td>3.8M<\/td><td>9.5M<\/td><td>2.8M<\/td><td>18.5M<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FY2025<\/td><td>2.5M<\/td><td>3.9M<\/td><td>8.0M<\/td><td>1.5M<\/td><td>15.9M<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The table shows a clear lifecycle pattern: Q3 (the holiday season) consistently dominates, while Q4 trails off. But this latest Q4 represents a steeper cliff than anything the console has seen before, signalling that PS5 has entered the final phase of its commercial life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where Does PS5 Rank Among All-Time Best Sellers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With 93.7 million lifetime shipments, PS5 currently sits as the eighth best-selling home console of all time according to Wikipedia&#8217;s consolidated list. It surpassed PS3 (87.4 million) and Xbox 360 (84+ million) during 2025 and now trails Nintendo Wii (101.63 million) by roughly 8 million units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1.<\/strong> PlayStation 2: 160 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2.<\/strong> Nintendo Switch: 155.92 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3.<\/strong> PlayStation 4: 117.2 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4.<\/strong> PlayStation (PS1): 102.49 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>5.<\/strong> Nintendo Wii: 101.63 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>6.<\/strong> PlayStation 3: 87.4 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>7.<\/strong> Xbox 360: 84+ million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>8.<\/strong> PlayStation 5: 93.7 million<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VGChartz data shows that at 65 months on the market (March 2026), PS5 had sold an estimated 91.5 million units to consumers compared to PS4&#8217;s 94.9 million at the same lifecycle stage, a gap of roughly 3.4 million units. While PS5 has been competitive with PS4 for most of its life, the recent slowdown is widening that gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Software Sales and PlayStation Network Activity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hardware may be cooling, but Sony&#8217;s software and services ecosystem remains robust. In Q4 FY2025, PS4 and PS5 platforms combined sold 74.6 million software units, with 5.8 million coming from first-party titles. Full-game digital downloads now account for 85 percent of software sales, up five percentage points year-over-year, reflecting an accelerating shift away from physical media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the full fiscal year, combined software sales reached 317.9 million units. PlayStation Network monthly active users stood at 125 million as of March 2026, up from 124 million a year earlier. The December 2025 holiday period saw a record high of 132 million MAUs, demonstrating that user engagement remains strong even as new hardware sales taper off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sony&#8217;s Financial Performance and FY2026 Forecast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sony&#8217;s Game &amp; Network Services segment posted FY2025 revenue of 4,685.7 billion yen with operating income of 463.3 billion yen, a 13 percent year-over-year increase in profit. The segment&#8217;s record operating income was driven by software, subscriptions, and digital services rather than hardware margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For FY2026 (April 2026 to March 2027), Sony forecasts Game &amp; Network Services revenue will decline to 4,420 billion yen due to lower hardware unit sales. However, operating income is expected to jump 30 percent to 600 billion yen. Sony explicitly noted that the flat overall profit forecast reflects &#8220;an increase in investments for the next-generation platform,&#8221; strongly implying that PlayStation 6 development costs are now material enough to appear in forward guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PlayStation 6 Signals Are Getting Louder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sony has not officially announced PlayStation 6, but the financial language is unmistakable. The company stated that excluding next-generation platform investments, current business profits are expected to grow at a double-digit rate. This framing mirrors the kind of language console manufacturers typically use one to two years before a new generation reveal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reuters previously reported that Sony awarded the next PlayStation chip contract to AMD, with backward compatibility as a priority design criterion. With Microsoft reportedly beginning to market its own next-generation console (codenamed &#8220;Project Helix&#8221;), industry watchers expect Sony to respond with a formal PS6 reveal within the next year or two. Analysts generally project a 2028-2030 launch window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can GTA 6 Reverse the Decline?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second half of 2026 could bring a significant sales lift for PS5. Grand Theft Auto 6, widely expected to be one of the biggest game launches in history, is slated for release later this year. Sony has reportedly secured marketing rights for the title, positioning PS5 as the primary console platform for GTA 6&#8217;s debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An earlier Ampere Analysis report estimated that GTA 6&#8217;s absence from the 2025 release schedule cost the industry approximately $2.7 billion in revenue and 700,000 console sales across PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. When the game finally arrives, it could serve as the definitive system seller for PS5&#8217;s twilight period. In Europe, where PS5 remains the top-selling console, the GTA 6 effect could be especially strong given the franchise&#8217;s traditional popularity in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Competition Heats Up: Switch 2 Takes the Lead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PS5 is no longer the top-selling console in the United States. According to Circana data, Nintendo Switch 2 claimed the number-one spot in both unit and dollar sales for March 2026 and for the year-to-date. In Europe, however, PS5 maintains its lead: VGChartz estimates showed PS5 selling 290,650 units in February 2026, ahead of Switch 2&#8217;s 192,560 units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The competitive landscape adds pressure to Sony&#8217;s pricing strategy. With the recent $100 price increase making PS5 significantly more expensive, and Switch 2 building momentum with titles like Pok\u00e9mon Pok\u00e9pia, PS5&#8217;s market position will increasingly depend on exclusive software and the GTA 6 launch window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does This Mean for the PS5 Ecosystem Going Forward?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sony&#8217;s strategy is clearly shifting from hardware volume to software and services profitability. The 30 percent operating income growth forecast for FY2026, despite declining hardware sales, underscores this pivot. PlayStation Plus subscriptions, digital game sales, and first-party franchise expansion are now the primary revenue drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For gamers invested in the PlayStation ecosystem, the practical implication is that PS5 will continue receiving strong software support. First-party releases remain steady, third-party publishers are committed to the platform&#8217;s 93.7-million installed base, and digital services are expanding. The console itself is far from dead, even if new unit sales are winding down. The growing importance of digital purchases, game codes, and e-pins for accessing PS5 content is a trend reflected in the platform&#8217;s 85 percent digital attach rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those looking to explore PlayStation deals, game codes, or digital content options, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/ps5-refurbished-price-increase-2026-updated-prices\/\">GamerMarkt&#8217;s analysis of PS5 pricing trends<\/a> provides useful context on where the market stands after the 2026 price increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Questions About PS5 Sales in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How many PS5 consoles have been sold in total?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of March 31, 2026, Sony has shipped 93.7 million PS5 units worldwide. This figure comes from Sony&#8217;s official FY2025 financial results published on May 8, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is the PS5 still selling well?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PS5 remains the second best-selling current-generation console globally, but quarterly sales have dropped significantly. The 1.5 million units shipped in Q1 2026 represent the console&#8217;s worst quarter ever. Annual sales fell from 20.8 million at their peak (FY2023) to 16 million in FY2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will PS5 ever outsell PS4?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PS4 sold 117.2 million units over its lifetime. PS5 would need to sell roughly 24 million more units to match that total. Given the declining trajectory and next-generation platform investments, reaching PS4&#8217;s total appears unlikely unless GTA 6 and other major titles drive an extended tail of strong sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When will PlayStation 6 launch?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sony has not announced a date. Its FY2026 financial forecast explicitly mentions increased investment in a &#8220;next-generation platform.&#8221; Industry analysts generally expect a 2028-2030 launch. AMD is confirmed as the chip supplier, with backward compatibility as a key design goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why did Sony raise PS5 prices in 2026?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sony implemented global price increases on April 2, 2026, adding $100 to PS5 Slim models and $150 to the PS5 Pro. The company cited macroeconomic conditions. Additional price increases were applied to six more countries in South Korea and Southeast Asia from May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PS5 at 93.7 million units is a commercially successful console by any measure, firmly in the all-time top ten. But its growth era is over. Sony&#8217;s own financial projections confirm that hardware revenue will continue to shrink while software and services carry the profit load. The PlayStation 6 investment is real and accelerating. For the remaining lifespan of PS5, the story will be defined by GTA 6&#8217;s potential to drive one final sales surge, the competitive pressure from Nintendo Switch 2, and whether Sony can maintain its record-high profitability while simultaneously funding the next generation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sony&#8217;s latest financial report reveals PS5 lifetime sales have reached 93.7 million units, but the January-March 2026 quarter saw just 1.5 million shipments, the lowest in the console&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[322],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3511"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3513,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511\/revisions\/3513"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}