Sony’s PlayStation 5 continues to dominate the latest console generation, shipping an estimated 4.5 million units worldwide in the first quarter of 2024 according to data from research firm Niko Partners. This dwarfs the performance of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S over the same period, which industry analysts believe shipped only around 900,000 consoles.
The prolific PlayStation 5 sales cement its decisive lead, with Sony’s next-gen system having now sold through an impressive 59.3 million units globally since its launch in November 2020. While solid figures, this slightly trails the pace of the PS4 over the same timeframe.
In stark contrast, Microsoft remained quiet on precise Xbox Series X/S shipment data. However, the tech giant did disclose that console hardware revenue plummeted 31% year-over-year for the quarter ending March 31st. This sharp decline likely indicates continuing struggles for Xbox in the face of PlayStation’s dominance.
“While console hardware sales are healthy, Sony is unable to sell more units than the prior generation,” said Daniel Ahmad, Niko Partners’ director of research and insights. “However, the PS5 is shipping almost 5 times as many consoles as Xbox in the latest quarter based on our estimates.”
5. The PlayStation 5 shipped 4.5 million units in the last quarter. According to our estimates, this is almost 5x more than the Xbox Series X|S shipped in the same period.
(This is a bonus one for the console warriors + my rent is due)
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) May 14, 2024
The lopsided sales figures underscore the chasm between the two gaming platforms. According to estimates by Ampere Analysis last year, the PS5 outsold Xbox Series X/S by a nearly 3-to-1 margin over the entirety of 2023. A report from Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two also revealed the PlayStation 5 had doubled up its rival roughly 2-to-1 through the end of 2022.
Microsoft has effectively conceded the “console war” this generation, with Phil Spencer acknowledging in 2022 that the company had “lost the worst generation to lose” following the Xbox One’s struggles against PS4. The firm is now prioritizing efforts to bring more games to rival platforms alongside its own hardware.
“We’re not in the business of out-consoling Sony or out-consoling Nintendo,” Spencer stated last year as Microsoft announced plans to release titles like Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush on PlayStation and Switch.
As the current console cycle ages, PlayStation shows no signs of letting up its blistering sales pace that has cemented market dominance for the iconic brand. With major forthcoming exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on the horizon, the PS5 appears poised to reinforce its heavyweight standing.
