In an article published on GamesIndustry that compiles 2020 predictions for the industry from various analysts, Piers Harding-Rolls of IHS Markit Technology and Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games talked about the potential price points of both consoles, and both arrived at the same conclusion- that Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles will probably launch at similar price points.
Harding-Rolls, in fact, thinks that both consoles will launch for a maximum price of $399. “I also expect pricing of both PS5 and Xbox Series X to be similar,” he said, “and I think it’s more likely than not they will be higher than the PS4 launch price point of $399.”
That said, Harding-Rolls says that Microsoft could go with a dual-SKU approach and opt to release a cheaper, less powerful variant of the Xbox Series X as well, in order to hit that price, while selling the more powerful SKU for higher prices- but he doesn’t expect Sony will do the same (not at launch, anyway).
“A high price point may prompt Microsoft to follow through with a dual-pronged product strategy and release a less powerful, cheaper version of its next-gen platform during the launch window,” he said. “I don’t expect Sony to follow this product strategy at launch so this approach would give Xbox more go-to-market flexibility although it would also add complexity around marketing and consumer education. Personally, I would wait to bring a cheaper version to market.”
Meanwhile, fellow analyst Dr. Serkan Toto agrees that both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X will likely launch at similar prices- but feels that $499 might be the price range they launch with.
“Both consoles will be a lot more similar to each other in terms of specs, pricing and features when compared to the last generation. Microsoft will likely avoid shenanigans like higher price (I expect $499 price tags for both), weaker specs, restrictions to used disc sales etc,” he said.
With the PS5 and the Xbox Series X still months away from launch, both Sony and Microsoft have plenty of time to nail down and announce these final details- here’s hoping they fall within analysts’ predictions on this one.
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Source: https://gamingbolt.com/ps5-and-xbox-series-x-will-likely-be-equally-priced-as-per-analysts
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