Scarcity is typical for new consoles, but the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated it by closing factories in China early last year. Then the demand for laptops and other electronics for remote work led to a shortage of chips and other computer parts. Malfunctioning chips played a role in the supply problems as well.
Why is there a shortage of new console parts?
Scarcity is typical for new consoles, but the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated it by closing factories in China early last year. Then the demand for laptops and other electronics for remote work led to a shortage of chips and other computer parts.
When will the Xbox series X be back in stock?
It's been a slow couple of weeks in terms of Xbox Series X restocks, bar a very limited Microsoft restock June 8 and Best Buy stock June 3. We're hoping this lack of drops will soon change. Amazon, Walmart, and GameStop could all restock Microsoft's bulky black box in the coming days, although nothing is yet confirmed.
Are the console wars basically over?
Even when stock arrives, it feels like you need to carry out a blood sacrifice to a hundred retail and internet gods before you even get a whiff of new console stock. And that has me coming to two conclusions: the first is the console wars are basically over, and the second is the ‘next generation’ simply hasn't arrived yet.
Is there a shortage of PS5 and Xbox series X consoles?
Since their highly anticipated release in November, the new generations of consoles — Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s PS5 — have been in short supply.
How are the new consoles still out of stock?
One of the reasons for Xbox Series X and Series S stock shortages is due to scalpers snapping up large amounts of next-gen consoles in one big sweep and then selling them for extortionate prices; we're taking thousands of dollars for a $499 games console.
Why are PS5 consoles still out of stock?
The reason? The ongoing chip shortage — yep, that's still a major issue — and shipping delays across the global supply chain. And based on Sony's decision to cut its PS5 shipments forecast by some 3.3 million units in fiscal year 2022, it's not going to get easier to snag a console soon.
Why is there still a console shortage?
The cause of this particular shortage is a combination of rising demand and already depleted stocks further impacted by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most people took notice of the chip shortage when Covid-19 swept across the globe.
How long will console shortages last?
The CEO of Intel has warned that the global shortage of semiconductors will now likely last until 2024. Pat Gelsinger had previously told CNBC that he expected the issue – which has caused production issues and shortages for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and graphics cards – wouldn't end until 2023.
How long will PS5 shortages last?
PS5 stock woes could last until 2024, as Intel warns of further chip shortages. PS5 stock shortages look set to continue, as Intel's CEO Pat Gelsinger has predicted that the global chip and semiconductor crisis could continue well into 2024.
Is it still hard to get a PS5?
Despite the PS5 approaching its two-year anniversary in November, PS5 stock is still hard to find thanks to high demand and supply problems caused by the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.
Why are new consoles so hard to get?
Xbox Chief Says Forget The Chip Shortage, Here's Why It's So Hard To Buy An Xbox Series X Or PS5. Even though many folks have spent a lot of time talking about microprocessor shortages, the real shortage hampering enthusiasts right now is actually a shortage of smaller discrete components.
Why is Xbox sold out everywhere?
Supply chain bottlenecks, chip shortages and scalpers (folks who snap-up multiple consoles to resell online at huge markups) have made it a struggle to get hold of the Xbox Series S... and nigh-on impossible to buy the more powerful Xbox Series X.
Why are all consoles sold out?
Sony is struggling to produce and ship enough consoles to meet the demand, largely due to component and chip shortages. AMD, one of the chipmakers that Sony relies on, is facing major bottlenecks in its supply chain.
What is Sony doing about PS5 scalpers?
In an attempt to combat those issues, Sony Japan has started issuing anti-scalping stickers to vendors in that country. The way it works is simple: the sticker is applied to the outside of the Playstation 5 box, and when someone buys the console, the sticker is cut — marking the product as “sold.”
Hardware Insufficiencies
By far the biggest issue at play here is a shortage of semiconductor, or microprocessor, chips. In short, these are the part of computational devices that does the ‘thinking’, i.e. the processing. They are an essential component of any computer and play a major role in the inner workings of gaming consoles.
The Human Factor
Semiconductor chip shortage or not, there is still the matter of console restocks selling out in minutes. Given that nearly a year has passed since their initial release, it stands to reason that demand should be declining. This is where the second major problem comes in: scalping.
Have Brexit and the US-China Trade War Had an Impact?
Outside of the gaming industry, the UK is currently experiencing a lot of problems with shipping. The reasons behind this are complex, but they have arisen, largely, as a result of the changes brought about by the country’s departure from the European Union.
So What Now?
It’s difficult to say when we might see an end to the semiconductor chip shortage. Microsoft previously stated that they hoped stock would become more available in the latter half of 2021, but we’re still waiting for that future.
Sony's Running Low on PS5 Consoles
Recently, in its last earnings reports, Sony confirmed that it sold 3.9 million PS5 consoles in 2021, which was far less compared to the 4.5 units it sold the previous year. This is due to chip shortage problems Sony—and pretty much every big tech company—has faced in the last couple of years, mostly due to the ongoing pandemic.
Why does Sony have Stock Issues?
Even though it isn't Sony's fault directly, the PS5 sales don't look good for the company, especially when compared to last gen's console. As Daniel Ahmad reported on Twitter, the PS4 sold 20.2 million during the same timeframe.
Patience Is Key
Unfortunately, there isn't much any of us can do about this problem but wait. The chip shortage will still affect Sony and other tech companies during 2022, but hopefully, this issue will be sorted out sooner rather than later. In the meantime, if you haven't already, it might be worth considering getting a PS4 instead.
1. Sony PS5 setbacks began with the pandemic
Sony didn't announce the PlayStation 5 for months during the first half of 2020 (if you recall, we first saw Xbox in December 2019), allegedly delaying the initial reveal several times due to the pandemic. Rumors of a February launch event gave way to a supposedly scheduled March unveiling, turned into a April reveal that never was.
2. PS5 is collateral damage of 'Work From Home'
This is what people aren't thinking about when they think about fun and entertaining video games consoles: changes to your work life have impacted PS5 stock.
3. Resellers are ruining things for everyone
Resellers bear the brunt of the blame for why you can't find a PS5, and although they aren't the only reason (they often get all of the blame), they're a contributing factor. People buying from eBay and StockX don't help either.
4. Scammers are making things even worse
Worse than resellers are scammers who target down-on-their-luck consumers via Twitter, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and completely fraudulent websites made to look real. Scammers promise to sell buyers the PS5 for around $550, a small, but believable markup (except when you think that they must have paid tax, but most people ignore this detail).
5. Cryptominers worldwide are to blame, too
It may be more profitable to buy Bitcoin during its dips than actually mine it at this point. However, this hasn't stopped people from buying up GPUs in an effort to one day profit from mining Bitcoin, Etherium, and other decentralized, open-source blockchain currienies – once their electricity bills are covered.
PS5 restock looks 'dire' for April – with a long-term fix
Finding PS5 stock may only be harder through April and May 2021, according to the retailers who spoke to TechRadar on the condition of anonymity (citing reliance on Sony shipments to their stores). They're not seeing the inventory that hoped for.
Is the PS5 stock disaster?
PS5 or Xbox Series X stock disaster means neither next-generation console has truly arrived yet. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) It has now been nearly a month since the launch of the PS5, as well as the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. And still they are stupidly difficult to find. Even when stock arrives, it feels like you need to carry out ...
Does the Xbox series X beat the PS5?
Just in: Xbox Series X just beat PS5 in the hottest game of the year. It's all very well for Sony and Microsoft to harp on about how powerful their respective new consoles are and how they’ll change your gaming experiences to a degree that your tiny mind can barely comprehend.
Hardware Insufficiencies
The Human Factor
- Semiconductor chip shortage or not, there is still the matter of console restocks selling out in minutes. Given that nearly a year has passed since their initial release, it stands to reason that demand should be declining. This is where the second major problem comes in: scalping. For those who don’t know, scalping in this context refers to someon...
Have Brexit and The US-China Trade War Had An Impact?
- Outside of the gaming industry, the UK is currently experiencing a lot of problems with shipping. The reasons behind this are complex, but they have arisen, largely, as a result of the changes brought about by the country’s departure from the European Union. Similarly, the last few years have seen increased tensions on trade between the United States and China. The introduction o…
So What Now?
- It’s difficult to say when we might see an end to the semiconductor chip shortage. Microsoft previously stated that they hoped stock would become more available in the latter half of 2021, but we’re still waiting for that future. Some industry experts are hoping for a rapid recovery, while others are suggesting we brace for another few years of delays. For the moment, it looks like an…