Can't get a PS5? Sony may try to sell you a PS4 instead
techradar.comSony has allegedly increased PS4 production to help offset the ongoing demand for PS5 consoles and to “keep gamers within the PlayStation ecosystem.”
According to Bloomberg, Sony has informed its assembly partners to produce more PlayStation 4 consoles throughout 2022, despite initially planning to “discontinue assembly at the end of 2021.”
The decision will see about a million PS4 consoles hit shelves this year, and will hopefully give consumers an alternative if they’re new to PlayStation and can’t find a PS5 to purchase. As the PS4 uses older hardware, it’s easier for Sony to produce and could provide a budget-friendly option for those who can’t wait any longer to experience Sony’s marquee titles.
Although Sony never planned on ending PS4 production, which has sold more than 116 million units to date, it apparently foresaw an opportunity to transition to its latest hardware quickly – something which a Sony spokesperson denied to Bloomberg.
However, due to the global semiconductor shortage, disruption from the pandemic, and extremely high demand, Sony has found getting PS5 consoles into retailers’ hands a challenge. Despite being on sale for over a year, finding a PlayStation 5 on sale is still a bit of a lottery.
The PS5 stock shortage has also meant that Sony’s proposed budget option, the PS5 Digital Edition, hasn’t been a viable option for consumers – and is often even harder to find than the disc version. At $399 / £359 / AU$549, the digital-only model of Sony’s PlayStation 5 is $100 cheaper than the disc version.
If you’ve been searching for a PS5 but haven’t been able to find one yet, the PS4 is still a great option if you simply want to play Sony-exclusive games like Uncharted 4, God of War, The Last of Us 2, and
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