Despite the ongoing pandemic, Sony managed to pull off quite an impressive launch for the PS5 at the end of 2020. In fact, the launch was so impressive that the PS5 became the fastest-selling console in US history, despite major supply constraints.
Unfortunately, it seems that players who still haven't been able to purchase a PS5 due to those supply constraints are not out of the woods just yet. According to Sony, it seems the company still won't be able to catch up with the demand for the PS5 even going into 2022.
According to a report by Bloomberg, the publication received word from multiple anonymous sources who attended a briefing held by Sony to discuss financial results that the company would struggle to meet demand for the PS5 for some time. Reportedly, Sony told analysts that the PS5 has been hard for consumers to obtain due to component shortages, such as the global computer ship shortages that are still affecting both console and PC manufacturers. Unfortunately, Sony did not give analysts a solid estimate on when the company expects PS5 shortages to cease.
According to sources present during the briefing as reported by Bloomberg, Sony's chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki said, "I don't think demand is calming down this year and even if we secure a lot more devices and produce many more units of the PlayStation 5 next year, our supply wouldn't be able to catch up with demand." While Sony has also stated the company is working to increase the supply for PS5, it seems Sony is aware that those efforts may not be enough. Totoki said that Sony is aware that demand for the PS5 "will remain high regardless of the COVID-19 situation."
Still, Sony seems to be taking active steps to alleviate the situation as much as possible. Recently, multiple outlets reported that the PS5 would get a hardware redesign sometime next year to help alleviate some of the issues involving supply constraints. This potential hardware redesign would have more to do with the internals of the system rather than its exterior design, meaning Sony would opt for more readily available and cheaper CPUs. Though those reports have not been officially confirmed by Sony, it would make sense provided the company would not be skimping on overall power.
While this ongoing shortage spells bad news for consumers who have been actively trying to purchase a PS5, it's also bad news for Sony. Sony set some pretty ambitious financial goals for 2021, but part shortages and supply constraints may mean Sony won't reach its 2021 sales goal. Of course, the PS5 has sold staggeringly well despite these issues, but Sony would undoubtedly sell vastly more consoles if they were more readily available.
That fact alone is surely enough to dissatisfy many higher-ups at Sony. Sadly, it seems like players who were hoping to wait out the PS5's shortage issues may be waiting much longer than expected.
Source: Bloomberg