As PlayStation fans well know, the availability of the PlayStation 5 console has been incredibly limited since its release in November 2020. A combination of hardware component limitations and shipping issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic have kept the PS5 from reaching the hands of many a fan. That's unlikely to change soon, either, as many of those constraints remain even now. But there may be an upcoming window this holiday season where more PS5s are available than normal.Industry insider Millie A shared a report on Twitter recently regarding upcoming plans for the PlayStation 5. The short update stated that Sony PS5 manufacturer Foxconn's allocation for October, November, and December is "substantial." In other words, there should be an increase in PS5 availability later this year if not into 2023. Millie A doesn't cite a source for this information, however, so it's worth taking with a grain of salt. Plans can always change or the information Millie A is sharing may not be correct.Exactly what Millie A means by substantial manufacturing allocation is entirely unclear, of course. The PlayStation 5 has been trickling out to the world at a surprisingly slow pace. A substantial increase over the current allotment doesn't necessarily mean widespread availability, by any means. It may not even be a noticeable increase for those still hunting for PS5s. Further context is going to be needed to create an accurate idea of how many more PS5s will be on hand compared to normal.
For some perspective into just how limited PlayStation 5 sales have been recently, in both May and June the Xbox Series outsold the PS5 in Japan. In May, it was the Xbox Series S that outsold the PS5. In June, it was the Xbox Series X. Xbox sales in Japan have historically been ghastly, which should give an idea of just how limited PS5s are even where PlayStation traditionally dominates the console market.
Perhaps to punctuate that Sony is making a big push this holiday season, Millie A also notes that several third-party devs have been reached out to about assets. This typically happens as Sony is planning a new State of Play or another type of game showcase. Millie A then mentions that Sony usually does these kinds of marketing pushes when it has hardware to sell.
While it may not seem wholly reliable, the situation works out well for those interested in picking up a PS5. If between now and the holiday season Sony announces a PlayStation State of Play event, then it could mean that Millie A's report is accurate and more PS5s should be available soon.