Sony Reports 36% Drop in PS5 Sales During FY2026 Q1

PS5 hardware sales declined sharply during Sony’s first quarter of fiscal year 2026. The company sold 1.6 million consoles, down from 2.5 million during the same period last year.

According to Sony’s FY2026 Q1 earnings announcement, the 900,000-unit difference represents a year-over-year decline of approximately 36%.

PS5 enters a later stage of its lifecycle

The decline comes as the PS5 moves deeper into its lifecycle. Sony launched the console in November 2020, and many consumers interested in the platform may already own one.

Some potential buyers may also be delaying purchases until Sony provides more information about its next-generation PlayStation hardware.

However, the reported decline does not reflect the effect of Sony’s 2026 PS5 price increases. The first-quarter reporting period ended before the new prices started affecting sales.

Sony’s second-quarter results should provide a clearer indication of whether higher prices have caused an additional drop in console demand.

Sony faces criticism over reported disc phase-out

The hardware decline also arrives as Sony faces criticism over reports that it plans to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs starting in 2028.

The reported strategy triggered the #PSBlackout campaign from PlayStation fans, with players criticizing the possible shift toward an entirely digital ecosystem.

Despite the backlash, Sony reportedly remains committed to phasing out physical discs.

Future earnings reports will show whether higher console prices, reduced demand, and concerns about physical media have a measurable effect on PS5 sales.

Via Insider Gaming