In the ranking of fastest consoles to reach 2 million units sold in the UK, PS5 equals PS3 (98 weeks) and falls behind PS4 (75 weeks). The podium is completed by PS2 (60 weeks) and Wii (57 weeks). According to GfK’s Dorian Bloch, had PS5 not suffered from supply issues it would have “easily” surpassed PS3 in its run to 2 million units shipped. On the other hand, there is a not trivial fact in which PS5 beats the rest: income generation.
PlayStation 5 has reached 2 million units sold in the United Kingdom as the most lucrative console, generating 919 million pounds sterling (about 1,000 million euros). By comparison, with the same number of units placed Wii had generated £358 million (€410 million), PS4 £700 million (€800 million), PS3 £638 million (€730 million) and Xbox One 726 million pounds sterling (830 million euros).
The reason why PS5 is the most lucrative console at this level of sales is simple: its average price, 455 pounds (520 euros), is higher than the rest. By comparison, the Wii averaged £179 (€205), the PS2 cost £234 (€269), and the PS4 cost £350 (€401).
Worldwide, PlayStation 5 has managed to distribute 21.7 million units. For the current fiscal year that will end in March 2023, Sony expects to sell 18 million consoles, 56% more than in the previous year. Despite this notable increase in distribution, the company is not expected to be able to cover demand, which remains high despite the fact that the PS5 price has risen in price in multiple markets, including Spain (50 euros more) and the United Kingdom (£30 more).
