PS5 Will Outsell Xbox Series X, Says Analyst

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The PlayStation 5 will outsell the Xbox Series X this year, or at least that's what one analyst is predicting. More specifically, IHS Markit Technology's Piers Harding-Rolls recently came out and made the claim that he expects the next-gen PlayStation console to outsell its biggest space competitor at launch: the next-gen Xbox. As you may know, the PS4 considerably outsold the Xbox One this generation, so this isn't exactly a very risky claim. That said, speaking of the current-gen consoles, while Harding-Rolls expects the PS5 to outsell the Xbox Series X, he also suspects the Xbox Series X will outsell the Xbox One at launch, and the same goes for the PS5 and PS4.

"I expect PS5 to outsell Xbox Series X in 2020, but for both platforms to sell more consoles at launch than both the PS4 and Xbox One did back in 2013," said the analyst. "One new factor for this upcoming generation is the impact of backwards compatibility on brand loyalty and audience transition. I think we'll see less brand switching as a result. I also expect pricing of both PS5 and Xbox Series X to be similar, and I think it's more likely than not they will be higher than the PS4 launch price point of $399."

Harding-Rolls continued, talking more about the price of each console:

"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. 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."

As you can see, while Harding-Rolls admits Xbox may tackle the next-gen market with two consoles, he doesn't think this is a wise thing to do off the bat, and I agree. At launch more than ever, you need clear and concise marketing and messaging. Further, like Harding-Rolls suggests, consumer education is very important, and educating the average consumer about two consoles, and why one is cheaper than the other, is more of a daunting task than you may think.

Anyway, as always, feel free to leave a comment letting us know what you think. Will the PS5 outsell the next-gen Xbox at launch?

Posted: Jan 05, 2020 5:55 pm
Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: https://comicbook.com/gaming/2020/01/03/ps5-playstation-xbox-series-x-sales-2020/

Comments

naterocks500Posted: Mon. Jan 06, 2020

Unless Microsoft somehow breaks into the Asian market, PS will always outsell a console in countries where said console is not sold, but only imported.

That means they'll always have more overall sales, especially now that tons of JP based devs release exclusively in Japan on PS now.

We can hope that Microsoft gets a foot in that market though

junoPosted: Mon. Jan 06, 2020

I think it will happen, the ps4 was def a move !

OGTrey079Posted: Sun. Jan 05, 2020

Why are people claiming the ps5 will be cheaper when no real information has been said about it. Same goes for Xbox price.

RedactedPosted: Sun. Jan 05, 2020

I think it will but not buy as much as PS4 Vs Xbox one

Baz_AccentsPosted: Sun. Jan 05, 2020

Id think so too, with playstation having more gamers this generation and with their console next gen more than likely being £100 cheaper than microsofts console because its 40% less powerful but still being able to hit 4k and 120fps it will be more appealing to the average gamer especially if they just came from a ps4 being use to the platform and having access to backwards compatability for thier games its a no brainer for anyone who had the previous console for their games,

But even if they are more popular at launch its not a loss for microsoft they are still going strong il get the next xbox and so will lots of gamers who want the better device, and they are reeling in plenty of dolla from games pass and once thier streaming platform for mobile is fully released and they get hundreds of millions more people on thier service they will gain lots more fans, hopefully when that happens and they get more money not like they need it but hopefully microsoft give the xbox division even more money to play around with to get more developers and studios for games.

When that happens i still think playstation will be doing well thier ps now is doing well atm too ive herd and im sure it will get better as xbox leads the way playstation will follow and try to rival them, making games better for us all i see this as an absolute win