Q3 2025 Financial Highlights
In its third‑quarter results, Sony reported that more than 92.2 million PS5 units had been sold worldwide as of December 31 2025. The launch of Ghost of Yotei even outperformed the earlier Ghost of Tsushima sales, underscoring strong software demand.
Memory Shortage Mitigation
CFO Lin Tao confirmed that Sony has taken steps to protect its console production against the ongoing memory chip shortage:
- Secured a minimum quantity of memory for the year‑end selling season of the next fiscal year.
- Plans to negotiate further with multiple suppliers to meet demand through 2026.
These actions should keep PS5 manufacturing stable through the holiday season and into the next fiscal year.
Implications for PS5 Pricing in 2026
Last year’s price hikes—first in Europe, the UK, and Australia (April 2025) and later in the US (August 2025)—were linked to rising memory costs. Tao’s remarks suggest that, for 2026, Sony does not expect another hardware price increase directly caused by the shortage.
However, he warned that any necessary cost adjustments could be shifted to software and services rather than the console itself.
Future Focus on Software and Services
Sony intends to “prioritize monetization of the installed base” and expand revenue from software and network services. Key points include:
- Flexible hardware sales strategy to absorb memory cost volatility.
- Continued dynamic pricing for PlayStation Plus (price increased in April 2025, with further adjustments possible).
- Greater emphasis on expanding the PlayStation ecosystem’s subscription and digital offerings.
What Consumers Can Expect
For gamers planning a PS5 purchase in 2026, the outlook is:
- No immediate hardware price increase tied to memory shortages.
- Potential price changes for PlayStation Plus or other services if Sony needs to offset costs.
- Steady availability of consoles through the holiday season, thanks to secured memory supplies.