Will the price of PS5 / XSX go up?

Wallyt99 on 21/12/2021 - 10:05

Looking at the price of GPU's and PC hardware in general, these consoles are clearly very cheap for what you are getting.

Of course traditionally, consoles have always been a bit of a loss leader for companies who look to recoup that money on software sales.

Nonetheless at the moment, there is a worldwide shortage of chips, and as such I believe that the current generation of consoles would be losing alot more than previous generations.

At the same time shortages of consoles and prevalence of scalpers show many people are willing to pay at least a little more.

The price of everything else (cars, electronics, utilities etc) is also increasing.

So what do you think, will we see this generation of consoles increase in price?

Poll Options

  • 7
    Yes
  • 72
    No
Gaming Game Console Microsoft Sony

Comments

  • GooseLord on 21/12/2021 - 10:16
    +2

    Consoles are already at a loss so a but more isn't all that bad while the RRP will not rise after a year on the shelves, we just wont see any deals or bundles.

    • sween64 on 21/12/2021 - 11:32
      +2

      PS5 was at a loss at launch but broke even and became profitable during 2021. With chip shortages and supply chain issues they may be at a loss again but it's all very close to even.

      There's no way they would increase the RRP. Imagine the backlash. SO youve been waiting over a year do get your hands on one and keep getting beat out by scalpers only for Sony/Microsoft to increase the price. Sony/Microsoft are now the scalpers.

      • chcse on 21/12/2021 - 11:39

        They can do what the Switch did and come out with a better revision, and raise the RRP that way, like Switch RRP was $449, but Switch OLED is $539, and then slowly phase out the cheaper version.

        • sween64 on 21/12/2021 - 11:41

          Maybe, but PS5 Pro or Slim would still be a few years away. We've already had one minor hardware revision, mostly to reduce the heatsink size/cost.

  • Morien on 21/12/2021 - 11:58
    +2

    While not unheard of for a large company to do (Apple raised the prices mid cycle with the iPhone 6 generation due to fluctuating exchange rates), I doubt the console manufacturers will do the same. Traditionally they have always made their money on software (and more recently, services). Software has already gone up in RRP this generation, and services may change from time to time also.

    As others have pointed out, hardware gets cheaper to make over time, so with the shortage I don't believe we'll see anything other than sustained RRP in the long term and no real bundles.

    The shortage began long before pricing was announced as well. They likely factored it in a bit.

  • Hybroid on 21/12/2021 - 12:53
    +1

    No. The profit isn't in the hardware, it's in the software. They'll maintain as low a barrier to entry as they can to get you into their platform ecosystem.

  • Drakesy on 21/12/2021 - 12:59
    +1

    Depreciation is your friend.
    Unless you're a Landcruiser.
    Then it doesn't exist.

  • trustnoone on 21/12/2021 - 15:03

    I think it in a way has, the price really becomes what scalpers are selling at, since they can really sell based on what they think people are willing to pay. RRP on the otherhand I doubt will increase, it rarely does. But I do think it will stay its normal price for a long time while people are busy buying up consoles, without a sale until a lul starts. Not sure when that will happen, but I imagine once the generation starts bringing out their newer revisions or something. Or when the chip shortage stops and the shops start getting stocks of playstations they can't get rid of.

    If I had to give a crystal ball guess, I'd say when the rumour of a new revision starts in about 2 to 3 years time, will prices start to drop RRP. and you may get a modest sale for next black friday.

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